I tore my JIB

I have about a 8 inch tear on my jib along the clew plate.

It was really windy so I lowered the main and I thought it would be a good idea to unclip the jib from the clew and let it flap in the wind on the beach while I got the truck and from the flapping the sail tore right at the back edge of the clew plate . Is this repairable? If so is there a good sail maker in Colorado or should I ship it to a sail maker somewhere else?

You didn't provide a picture, but this is almost certainly repairable. Generally the only issue is whether its worthwhile to do the repair if it's an old sail. But, if the sail is otherwise in decent shape, then it's probably worth repairing (I expect you'd be looking at around $100 to get it fixed). You'd likely be able to save some money by removing (and possibly re-installing) the clew plate yourself too.

As another option, you could probably just cut the sail along the clew plate and then simply reinstall the plate along the freshly cut edge. You could do this yourself.

Anyway, if you're looking for a decent sail repair shop (not in Colorado), let me know and I'll shoot you the contact info for the shop that I use, they do nice work.

sm

Thanks SRM! I would like to keep the sail if possible, my boat is a 2005 and the sail is in great shape (other than the tear!). If you could send me the contact for your sail maker that would be great!!!

Thanks again!

I sent you a PM with the contact info.

sm

May I add that when it is that windy, simply detension the jib and loosen the downhaul and the rig will settle down.

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Bodhisatfa

I am cheap, so hear is what I would do -

1) Drill out the rivets on the clew plate to remove it.

2) Take the sail to a local canvas shop and have it repaired. Have them sew a patch (hopefully they would have material simular to the original sail material) on both sides, under where the clew plate is attached and over the tear (both sides).

3) Pop-Rivet the clew plate back on over the patch.

There is a sail loft in Golden, CO, you could have the repair done there.
http://highperformancesailrepair.com/

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

I have the exact same repair except my tear is only about 4 inches long. I also got it differently with waves crashing over the sail with my boat up on the beach on it's side. I couldn't get to it fast enough to prevent the damage.
I talked to a local sail shop here in Salt Lake City and they quoted me a minimum of $50 with a possibility of as much as $100. I'm a cheap son of a gun and enjoy doing my own work. I already have the needles and thread from some repairs to the main that happened on the same experience. I just need the heavy sail material and some 3/16 solid aluminum rivets. I wouldn't use pop rivets when you can install solids just as easily and they do a much better job. All you need is the rivets, a hammer and a good solid surface to buck the rivets against. Go for it!

Murrays sells the plate and it comes with the rivets, if you are handy with a sewing machine you can do it your self. I would recommend sending it to Morrelli sails in ventura california, don't be cheap on this new of a sail.

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Bodhisatfa

I second that opinion, on a sail that new just do it right maybe even have it reinforced so that it is less likely to happen again. If you had a '81 (like me) I would consider the cheaper option.

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Cesar (Cez) S.
H16 - "He gone!"

Thanks Little Wing, I sent Tony and email today hopefully I hear back from him! I don't mind spending a few bucks to get it fixed professionally!