rip in the monofilm

adrianax15 · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 2

I need help. I have a tear (rip) in my sail (monofilm). It is about 8 long. Is it OK to fix it with a 2 wide clear packing tape or do I need some special stuff for it?
Thanks

Windlover · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 623

Clear packing tape will hold for a while. If that is all you have, be sure to do both sides. Best fix is to have a sailmaker/repairer put a new panel in.

For something better than packing tape, go to your local ski shop and ask for Ski Saver. It comes in clear and other colors. It is a thick plastic that is designed to go over the top of skis to protect them from scratches. It is designed to stay put in cold, wet conditions. It worked well for me on a small monofilm tear on an old sail.

ray123 · Joined: 09 Jul 2000 Posts: 63

Hey,
Most windsurfing shops sell a special tape. Im not sure what its called(monofilm tape?) But I use it all the time and its a very cheap way to get another year or two out of a sail. I put a hole in a neil pryde 5.4 the second time I used it. That was 4 years ago. I was blasting around on it today in 30 mph winds. It must have 8 holes in it. I just keep taping them up and will continue to do so until I cant anymore. The alternative is to get it repaired, but that will be more expensive.
Have Fun

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area

The windsurf shops have clear sail repair tape that works well. Just clean the area as instructed.

amarie · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 233 Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Another alternative is RV awning repair tape. Its clear, strong, wide, really sticky and waterproof. It costs about $8 for 15 feet, but Ive found it well worthwhile. If you have a local RV shop check it out.

tycoonguy · Joined: 20 May 2015 Posts: 0

The name of that Neilpryde product is the K-film repair kit, but I dont know if they are still selling it. I have inquired about it, though. Ill report back if they affirm that they are.

melpel · Joined: 10 May 1998 Posts: 234

Ive ripped many sails- can say from experience either packing tape or sail tape work. If cleaned really well and applied to both sides packing tape will generally hold for an extended period. The sail tape from the windsurf shops is definiitely better though as it is stronger and more water resistant.

The only time this does not work is near the edges of the film; the tape does not stick to the other materials very well and I have never had a very good fix in these areas.