Thanks for the response and info, Matt.
I ended up talking with some people from our local yacht club about the seam stitching issues. After a few minutes of discussion and a margarita or two, I now have some new friends, a club membership and a jib with complete new stitching. It turned out that a couple of people in the club had sailrite sewing machines and were glad to offer their expertise. Once they started on the failed seams they decided that since all the stitching was the same age that the rest would probably have issues soon after. So they restitched the entire sail. The fabric was in good shape which made me wonder why the stitching had failed "early". No worries now though.
I'll post up pics when I sort out a new photo host provider. (Photobucket has turned tail
)