Replacing sail panels myself cut from other older sails

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

IIRC, Ezzy sez monofilm survives uv for about 200 hours. I'm constantly amazed that some people leave their gear in the sun rather than tossing it in shade 30 feet away.

My 2002 3.2 looks virtually new, but only because it's almost never needed. Plastic holds up pretty well indoors.

USUALLY.

I bought a loft-reconditioned sail a few years back. When I finally rigged it to use one day, it was much more fragile than a rotten egg shell ... of no use whatsoever. I threw it away.

I gotta wonder how many of those umpty-ump old sails you're hoarding are in that condition.

I, too, enjoy sailing different boards, as long as each is chosen for its unique merits according to the conditions and my objectives that session.

gregnw44 · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 783 Location: Seattle, Wa

To the OP -
I think you should just put some packing tape on it... and keep having fun!!

I bought this sail about 6 years ago... it was already in the horrible condition you see in the vid.
But it was cheap, and I wanted to try out this old, 1999, 7.9m 3 cam race sail. It has clear packing tape all over it... and Sailworks fancy red tape in places too, LOL
I liked the way it rigged, so I bought it (and did I mention, it was really cheap Smile

It's very light, compared to newer race sails... and makes more low end power. I call it my ghetto sail.
There hasn't been any more damage to it, since I've been sailing it, off and on for the last several years... but I'm easy on gear. The previous owner who taped it up, did a good job.
I raced it in the Gorge a few years ago (yes, just like you see it here).
In the last year I've used it for windfoiling a few times... works great.

I also have some brand new sails... but it's cool to sail this one occasionally... always a great conversations starter on the beach Smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FttONbPIUp8

joethewindsufa · Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 1190 Location: Montréal

until your sail looks like this ...
just keep taping and using Very Happy

and my SW Retro is taped along the seam and only used in the winter now - in very light winds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=vNc7TEvncDo

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

gregnw44 · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 783 Location: Seattle, Wa

Haha... that's awesome!!!

Anyway - taping cracks in monofilm is one thing... I don't have any problem doing that once in a great while. But I'm cautious about how and where I use my sails... and I know what I'm doing out there, with them.

If I have a sail that needs a panel replaced, I take it to a professional.

Personally, I would never add as much tape to a sail, as they one in my vid. The previous owner did ALL that.
When I first went to the guy's house who was getting rid of it... and saw it... I laughed Smile

But after I rigged it... I felt that I could sail it... and it was cheap (like almost free)… and I didn't have anything that size... so I took it.
And have had many fun days with it.