Hobie 16 main sial tack plate repairable?

Do you think this is repairable? I got this boat for free and it has nice condition sails but the last owner had been sailing it without the tack plate and it pulled or stretched the bolt rope a bit. There isn't much bunching of the sleeve so maybe it's not an issue? Do you think it's OK for there to be extra bolt rope slack at the base in front of the tack plate? https://photos.app.goo.gl/vaoX4YSgSzgE9ej88

I had a sail repair shop repair my previous 87Blue Prism's mainsail tack.

The luff rope is not necessary at this location if your tack plate is secured properly to the main sail.

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

Agreed. The new sails don’t have the bolt rope wrapping around the tack anymore. It is cut back a few inches from the tack on the forward and lower edges.

sm

Based on the picture I sent, do you think I can just pop a new tack plate on using the same holes or do I need to reinforce the sail first similar to what Tim's repair looks like?
Thanks

If you are just starting out sailing H16s, then it may be fine to just put two tack plates on your mainsail using the existing holes and go out and have fun. Also, don't pull the outhaul (other end of the boom) too tight either or it will jam your gooseneck into the mast.

As you become more advanced in your H16 sailing skills, you will probably want to tune the boat to give you more power and control. This can be done by raking your mast back and adding either a 3:1 or 6:1 downhaul to the bottom of your boom's goose neck. The increased downhaul helps in windier conditions by flattening out your mainsail. When you get to the stage that you are ready to upgrade, you will probably want to reinforce the area around your tack plates (due to the increased downward force on them by the 3:1 or 6:1 downhaul).

_________________
Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

I don’t see any tears or damage in the sail cloth at the tack. Usually those plates just corrode and fall off. I’d stick a new one on there and go sailing.

sm

You don't think it's an issue that the tack hole is torn out as long as there is no other damage in the area? Certainly would be easier to just throw a new tack plate on both sides if you think it will hold.

Judging from the picture, it looks like there may not have been fabric at the bottom of the hole to begin with. I would just put the plates on as is.

sm

I had same problem from previous owner. New tack/clew plate (# 12240000) was easy to install with a hammer and cheap rivet setter for a snap button. The extra rope gets in the way a bit when mounting the boom, but it seems to be slowly working its way back to normal.

Thanks for the suggestions!
I went ahead and mounted the tack plate in the original holes and left the rope as is. Time will tell if it will work out the slack.