Is my jib toast?

[Capt Andy]

Newbie sailor here with a 1979 Catalina 30. The luff of the jib has some creases in it and material peeling away along some of the seams. How much of concern is this? Can a sail shop repair or can sail tape be used to get another season out of the jib? Sorry if the answer is obvious but I'm new to all this!

[CrispyCringle]

Are you sailing inland or coastal? If its inland, I would keep using it until it gives. But the dark color creases looks to me like the material is pretty old and done. Light winds will probably work for a while. Heavy winds on the ocean- no bueno for me.

[Bellinghamster]

Hard to tell from the pic, but I've seen headsails that had stick-on sun covers that looked like that when the cover gets aged and starts falling apart. Zooming in on some of the seams looks like it has a sewn on Dacron or similar sacrificial layer (sun cover) that is disintegrating, and the sail seams (triple stitched) appear intact.
.

If the sail has a reasonable shape, stiltching of the sail and luff tape seams are not failing and the sailcloth is sturdy (test sailcloth by sticking a sail makers needle through it and pushing sideways. Worn out sailcloth will tear easily, if it resists tearing, consider having a new sun cover put on - either stick on sailcloth or sewn-on sunbrella and you should get some more years out of it.

[thomm225]

Yes, that jib has had it. You might use it but .........

Check with Sail Warehouse.

I got a nice new "crispy" jib for $875! (looks like $1296 for a new Catalina 30 furling jib. Cheaper if hank on)

I got 10 years out of the PO's Jib and it was no where near as bad as yours looks

It was time for a new one. Head strap is coming off again as is the UV cover. They wanted like $350-$500 to repair.

I plan to sew on another head strap and remove UV cover as it rips and that sail will be my backup or light air jib

Old sail in video....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iViRCw8KB2Y

[JPA Cate]

@Capt. Andy: treat yourself to a better sail, and enjoy.

@thomm: get of the biggest seam rippers you can find. The "un-picking" of a whole furling sail's sun cover is a very picky job with a small one. Don't ask! (-:

Ann

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

@Capt. Andy: treat yourself to a better sail, and enjoy.

@thomm: get of the biggest seam rippers you can find. The "un-picking" of a whole furling sail's sun cover is a very picky job with a small one. Don't ask! (-:

Ann

Ann,

I just rip off the sections of the UV cover by hand when they rip/tear and start flapping around.

So far just a bit off the foot and one section on the luff...