How to Patch Holes & Rips in Sails

[@FaithsWind]

We just finished an entire day of repair work on a fellow sailor’s mainsail. This one video made it WAY easier to do. Wish I could post pictures. 😆 Thanks a TON for all the education on your products!

[@jacobyalfredo5740]

Instablaster.

[@pigmanuk]

Excellent tutorial. After watching the video I felt far more confident attempting a repair.

[@autokanada]

how do you deal with stiff monofilm and carbon or fiberglass mono ply ? on a large windsurfing sails which are more stiff and cannot be bed under the sawing machine arm ? is there a sawing machine which hangs from the ceiling and other part is under the table so there is no ARM ?

[@DeerCreekAudio]

why can't you sew backwards on the 2nd "L" and just go around the entire patch, versus jumping diagonally after the 2nd side of the patch was sewn?

[@SailriteDIY]

+Deer Creek Audio Very good question. Most sewing machines do not feed and sew as well in reverse than they do in forward. True, it could have been done in reverse, but a better habit is formed by always trying to sew long lengths (several inches) in forward rather than reverse, except to lock stitches in place.

[@amreshdeo3491]

Deer Creek Audio lo

[@nealhere]

Great video. Important to notice that that machine had the servo motor. My little portable is a little more jerky with the standard motor. But still quite capable

[@alredhornbeam6598]

I know it's an old video but I'm going to ask anyway . Why cut out the damaged part instead of leaving it ? Wouldn't it be stronger doubled

[@SailriteDIY]

Once the new patch is sewn in place the load will be on the new material from stitch line to stitch line not on the old material with the tear. So leaving the old tear in place and not cutting it our will be just a place to catch dirt or catch on something else and tear a larger whole in the sail also it looks terrible. If you choose not to accept this way of proper repair please put a patch on both sides so at least you will eliminate the dirt accumulation and it catching on the rigging.

[@alredhornbeam6598]

@@SailriteDIY that makes sense sure don't need to have more things to catch on everything

[@apivovarov2]

should we apply a glue around the edges of the patch? Should we also round the patch corners?

[@willyum1208]

@@apivovarov2 i don't think rounding the patch corners matters but it definitely makes sense to round out the corners of the old sail being cut out, less likely to tear at the corners if rounded.

[@joro8604]

What great support.

[@sailingtortugamagica7938]

Hello, how can I repair my main sail it has 3 areas burned by the sun that easily tear...thank you :)

[@SailriteDIY]

If the fabric easily tears then the whole sail may need replaced. The fabric may be sun rotted.

[@spandananallapati4140]

Would you use a size 20 needle?

[@SailriteDIY]

If your sail is 6 oz or above, yes use #20 and V-92 thread. If 5 oz use #18 and V-69 thread. If 4 oz use #16 and V-69 thread.

[@elefja1]

What's the best way to determine the sailcloth weight?

[@SailriteDIY]

The best way is manufacturer’s application chart which should get you close enough for repairs. For example: www.contendersailcloth.com/product/supercruise-us/

[@elefja1]

@@SailriteDIY thank you!

[@james66872]

It’s time to redesign the sewing machine

[@sailingpittsburgh]

I have the exact same machine and I think there is room for improvement, They could start with an integrated light rather than the add on currently provided. It is also very difficult to sew slowly. There is not much control with the foot pedal.

[@pauls064]

Is sail repair a realistic form of income when cruising around the world?

[@SailriteDIY]

Sail repair, is ok. However, canvas and zipper repair is usually excellent!!!!

[@pauls064]

@@SailriteDIY thanks! Canvas repair meaning sail bags, UV strips, etc?