How do I fix my sails?

[transiberian]

Hi Guys... and girls...

How do I fix these lose threads?

[JPA Cate]

If there are broken stitches, sew them up. You don't have to make "V" shaped stitches, a row of "///" looking stitches will do. Cut the broken threads, and sear their tips with a cigarette lighter.

....Or of course, you could take them to a sailmaker for repair. I was assuming you have some V92 thread, and suitable sail needles.

Ann

[transiberian]

Hm... I don't see any broken stitches, my concern was those hanging threads. I am just afraid to use cigarette lighter, I can damage white part of a sail. Is there any safer way to seal that blue fabric edge?

[JPA Cate]

transiberian,

Blue fabric? Do you know what that fabric is made of? Is it nylon, like a light air sail?

If you have a soldering iron, perhaps you could get a hot knife tip for it to cut off and sear the threads at the same time????? (You still could go through the fabric, but you'd be careful, right?)

Ann

[Tingum]

Sounds like you need a sailmaker.

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by transiberian

Hi Guys... and girls...

How do I fix these lose threads?

Did you mean to include a photo?

[transiberian]

I don't know, i cut a blue string and burnt it. It looked like burning nylon but burnt nylon gets very hard (the burnt part) and it did get hard, but not as hard as nylon. Nylons burnt part becomes as hard as plastic, this one go hard but after a hard squeeze fell a part

[StuM]

By "blue fabric" are you talking about the sacrificial UV strip on the edge of your headsail?

[transiberian]

@StuM yes, the one that protects from UV light. @sparrowhawk1, there is a pic I attached

[JPA Cate]

transiberian, since it is blue, it may be acrylic canvas, and I often cut it with a hot knife. I also do nylon ripstop that way, and dacron polyester. Usually, searing it that way keeps it from raveling like you describe. If it is acrylic canvas, just take some scissors and cut the strings off. Also check along the stitches to make sure they all are alright. You will have to take the sail off and lay it out in a large open area to to the exam, or take it to a sail loft.

Ann

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by transiberian

@StuM yes, the one that protects from UV light. @sparrowhawk1, there is a pic I attached

Photo's not showing for me

[transiberian]

I am very sorry, I thought I attached a picture. I will try to do it BlueBerry, see if it will work.

[sparrowhawk1]

Okay I can see the photo. If you hold the lines away from your sail you should be able to do it with a lighter without any problem. But if you want to be extra cautious a soldering iron will work or a piece of metal like a butter knife heated up over the stove. The heat will probably discolor your knife so don't use one of your favorite ones. Edit: or just cut it off with scissors its sewn so it shouldn't be a problem with it unraveling

[Njordr]

Simple:

1- Trim with scissors down to a nub, not all the way.

2- Fold at area where it is unravelling so it is on edge.

3- Hit it quickly with lighter. DONE!

I done this a thousand times, so it should work for you.

[barnakiel]

1) Nylon does not behave as you said. Polyester does.

2) (Image) Your cloth may be blue sunbrella (acrylic). This is finished (heat sealed) BEFORE the patch goes on.

3) Now, you can improvise with a large alloy plate and hot knife. There is often enough space under the edge to slide the plate in. Let heat dissipate well between cuts.

I normally just cut off any dangling threads and keep on going regardless.

b.