Sail Repair

[wroundey]

I am still waiting for the first time to get my "new" 16 in the water - maybe in a week or two - but over the weekend I was doing a close look at al the stuff that came with the boat from the previous owner. As I was checking out my mainsail closely, I discovered that about 3 inches of the boltrope near the clew of the sail have separated from the sail itself. I do not want this to get any worse so I am wondering if this is something I might be able to repair on my own or do I need to find a repair shop in the area? If I can do it  myself, any suggestions? If I need to hire this out, any suggestions of a shop in the St Louis area?  Thanks and hope to see you on the water soon.

[MacGyver]

There is a way to do it yourself with the proper thread and machine to push the right needle and stitch.

Was it sewed with a zig zag stitch or straight stitch?

I dont know of anyone in St Louis area........ I do have a machine capable of sewing that material, but not the right thread, nor have I done that kind of work yet......

Only other option I can think of is to send it off to SailCare and have the repairs made.......

Mac

[Harrier]

Only three inches - definitely doable by hand!  Just need a sewing palm.
A quick search popped this up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzKhbhdEfC8

[SpeakEasy]

I like this for most hand sewing repairs:

http://www.sailrite.com/Speedy-Stitcher-Sewing-Awl-Kit

-Speak

[MacGyver]

3 inch! How did I miss that.........

I agree with these guys in using that hand stitcher, It could be bought at Sailrite like SpeakEasy says,

Could also in a hurry (but possibly pay a ton!) be gotten at West Marine store over by you (If it is by you.....)
We might even sell one at the marina I work at: West Access Marina, Carlyle IL.

The cool thing about SAILRITE.COM is that they will help set you up with what you need to make the repairs right, and even talk you through it I believe, fantastic people!
They ship pretty fast, and are on the high side, but when they let you pick their brain for free, the price is completely worth it.
I myself cant say enough good things about them.

Mac