Broken Shroud encasement and other issues

Hey everyone,

Just picked up an older cat 16 and couldn't be more excited to take it out! Upon inspection I found a couple issues and being new to sailing I didn't know what is crucial to a safe and reliable outing.

First the mailsail has a small hole about 1x2in and one of the top batten pockets has a small tear where the batten touches the plastic piece. Could I use some nylon or Dacron tape to repairs these or would it be much more beneficial to have a proper fix from a sailmaker?

Next the shrouds plastic encasement has cracked and broken with age, same has happen to two of the trap lines. Is it necessary for the shrouds and traps encasement to be there? Can I buy new encasement or will have to replace the shrouds and traps?

Thanks in advance!

I'm no expert but just for getting it on the water once I say tape the sail and try it, keep an eye on it, look for new used sails then you don't lose time while you get those repaired lol, My old shrouds and traps were bare wire, my new ones are coated, I sailed the first year on the old ones, look closely at the ends and the entire cable for stray strands.

The holes are not a significant problem. Get some sail repair tape, clean the area you're going to put it on well (use rubbing alcohol), make sure it's dry and apply the tape. The tape should extend at least 1" beyond the tear in all directions and round off the corners of the patch to help keep it from peeling up.

If the plastic coating on your shrouds & trap wires is old enough to be cracked and coming off, then the wires are old enough to be replaced. Old standing rigging will break without warning and while the mast tends to come down slowly, it can be really inconvenient if you're a long way from shore with no help.

The plastic coating isn't "required", but it keeps the wires from wearing / staining the mail sail. They're like little saws and will eventually wear holes in the batten pockets and make a long grey smudge in the sail from the mast tang all the way down to the boom.

Thanks for the replies!

I figured it would be proper to replace the shrouds, just wanted to make sure it was detrimental if I didnt replace them ASAP.

Went out and got the boat wet for the first time yesterday. These baby's fly! Couldn't believe how quick they can be!

For me not sailing for at least 15 years and my girlfriend never even seeing a sailboat, never mind being on one, we didn't do to bad!