I've been ringing around to find some tape to tape up tears in my sails.Bias has some sail repair tape used for yachts but it's white or coloured. Anyone know who sells some clear tape so you can seal the clear windows without it looking unsightly?
The whitworths stuff sounds like the one the Bias guy mentioned except he said you couldn't get it in clear. It says semi permanant repairs? In practise how long have people found it works? Mind you I am going to do a real bandaid job on the 5m just until I can figure out how to replace it..get $ etc..
Sue find you local yacht club, ask for "clear" Mylar sail tape. If you are not concerned about looks, just get a role of any colour 100 mile an hour tape. See local Auto shop in your area. Lay sail flat, clean with windex, both sides, tape both sides Another option is to get some transfers/stickers from windsurf shop, use those
I've had Whitworths clear tape last for years. To the point that I haven't even bothered getting the patched panel replaced.
I usually carry a roll in the kit. It also works for taping mudguards back onto tinnie trailers.
Sounds good. Mineral I think the damage is a bit big for stickers! I put my hand on the sail last night when the wind tried to backwind it on me and it got a few big slits.I had already had some simialr ones taped a while ago. Ok I'll get that panel repaired.. yeah I fell in the sail after a gybe a bit later and the reinforced what I thought was heavy duty part of the sail got a 10 inch hole in it[}:)] ..mm think the whole lot is past it..
Definitely go the clear mylar. I always carry duct tape to keep me on the water during a sesh, but once home, remove the grey tape - wash & dry the sail & clean the area. The mylar tape is a bit odd in that it doesn't feel 'sticky' and can unravel easily but once it has stuck to the mono it's there for good! I have a couple of old sails with mylar on them & they haven't torn further...just don't try to overlap the tape - it doesn't stick to itself.
Te Hau said... Sign writers use clear vinyl. Pretty inexpensive and works great on sails.
Yes, I used this clear vinyl a lot. Excellent, strong almost invisible. What more - because come in large format -rolls- I was able to cut the right shape to cover the rip - unlike tape that is limited width. For two years I don't need any tape -somehow I stopped ripping my sails For temporary fix I used black duct tape- always could finish the sailing day and do proper repair later.
Signwriters also use mylar sticky stuff. It comes in 1 thou and 2 thou (0.001" and 0.002") thicknesses and in large rolls up to about 750mm wide. Given the sort of life span sails typically have it's permanent.
yeah I fell in the sail after a gybe a bit later and the reinforced what I thought was heavy duty part of the sail got a 10 inch hole in it[}:)]
..mm think the whole lot is past it..
