H16 Main Sail Repair

I would like some sail repair advice if possible.

Last week high winds came up and while continuing to try to sail my main sail tore from Leech to Luff in the bottom colored panel just above the foot. The H16 is pretty old, probably late 70s (I have to check the S/N) and am assuming the sails are just as old. I have a multi colored sail and althought it needs a lot of repair like batton protector rivets and clew rivits replaced I'd like to repair it. I want to try it on my own as I think it would cost more than a new sail to have a pro do it.

I'd love some advice.

Last year in a similar situation (high winds and probably bad sailing on my part) The same panel tore out at the seams -- just the thread came out. I took it to an upholstery shop (in Tennessee) and they sewed the seam in the same place. Unfortunately they put in a straight stitch and it looks pretty bad up close. After my temporary repair described below I'd like to re-do this stitching.

This year the sail tore from the clew to the luff starting from a weak spot just 1cm above the top of the clew patch. What I plan to do is align the sail cloth at the rip and put 3" wide 3-oz dacron sail repair tape on either side. Then stitch a zig zag above and below the tear with my home machine. Is this reasonable?

I'm hoping this will last while I have dacron on order to replace the bottom panel. The bottom panel has several little holes here and there and is stained, faded, and duct taped over the years. Altough the rest of the sail is old it seems like the material still has a little stiffness.

Is it reasonable to then pull-apart the stiching from the bottom panel all the way to the foot and use it as a pattern for the new dacron?

Is 4oz (or 3.8 oz) dacron reasonable to use? I have no idea what the weight of my original sail is.

Other questions. There is no leech line in this sail. Is this typical for Hobie 16 sails? Should I put one in?

For my temporary stitching over the dacron sail repair tape is it reasonable that I just use some polyester thread from the fabric store instead of waiting for dacron thread (since it doesn't have to last too long anyway).

For the rivets that I need to replace in the head, clew, and probably the tac, Can I just buy aluminum rivets of the same size at Home Depot/Lowes or are these something unique?

Thanks I hope for some advice.

-Derek

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OK, So I'll post a short question here with hopes for some advice.
Does anyone know what size/kind of rivets I should use to replace the batton protectors and sail Clew and Tack? Can I just buy aluminum rivets from a hardware store?

-Derek

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Derek Eggers
H16

Get the new type baton protectors. They come with screws and nut to replace the rivots. Better system

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Coral Reefer
H-16
Flagler Beach, Fl

Carol,
Thanks. I have a few of the baton protectors you mentioned, but not sure if they were good or not. Glad to hear your advice. I'll use them.

Regarding the rivets for the clew, and tack: are there screws for these too or should I replace with rivets? Is hardware store, aluminum OK?

THanks
-Derek

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Derek Eggers
H16