Hey guys I'm learning how to hook into the harness, in the process I put my knee thru the sail , its a crappy old sail but I can see myself doing this a few more times . Do you guys use duct tape or something else to patch them up . let me know if ya done it before. id prefer to buy a roll of tape than a new sail
cheers

The best stuff is mylar sticky back, which is used for sail numbers on sails. It comes on rolls that are about 50cm wide and you can cut quite large patches. I got about 2m x 50cm for $10 from a sail maker.

If you don't have that, then any good adhesive tape like duct tape will work (even a good sticker can work).

If its a small hole / tear these repairs can last a really long time. Ultimately though if the tear is large you will need to get the panel replaced.

+1 mylar sail tape.
Can pick it up on the interweb pretty cheap.
Just make sure you place it on both sides of the sail.
Good for strengthening creases in mono too.

Or Gorilla tape, by the makers of Gorilla glue. Duct tape is crap in comparison.

+1 to Mylar tape.

When using it though, I wash the sail with freshwater and soap, wait to dry then use windex/Mr sheen where the tape will go, whiping off with a paper towel. This is to ensure no salt or sand affects the adhesive.

I've done this about half a dozen times with no adverse affect to the sail stitching. I actually find windex to remove that cloudy look weathered sails develop.

Don't be a tight arse take it to a sailmaker. Replace the panel you won't regret it . Or the next time you use it the duct tape will let go and you get a sail in.

If it's at the age where it's cracking up replacing a panel wont save the sail.
A temp fix is probably appropriate.

Firstly mylar tape is not the same as stickyback. They are both sail materials with sticky stuff, but not the same.

Stickyback is cloth (dacron), mylar tape is a flash version of clear stickytape really. Not that I am a sailmaker but I'd bet that stickyback dacron is way tougher than mylar tape (maybe that's why they use it on all the panel perimeters and joins on your sail...????).

So IMHO - mylar tape for small splits like up to 50mm long on a pretty new sail and then it si invisible.
Stickyback for bigger stuffups and older sails where looks are unimportant.
Quality cloth tape (no PVC duct tape) for emergency have to sail really soon.

I disagree panel repair is the only option and tape is bound to let go, I have seen plenty a sail with a 50cm split in the window go for a couple of seasons with just cloth tape or stickyback . $20 stickyback will last you years and save many a $100 panel replacement

Just keep fixing it with stickyback - at some point you will realise the sail is more repair than original and a tad on the heavy side - until then have a heap of fun and a roll of sticky back close by!!

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alec95 said...
+1 to Mylar tape.
use windex/Mr sheen where the tape will go,

In my experience Mr Sheen is really greasy so wouldn't think that is a good way...I use a cloth with soapy water then get any soap residue off with non soapy water (a damp(not wet) cloth) which dries quick...then apply clear Mylar tape :)

So I've got my go-to sail which I've managed to trash this season - yey for me, new sail next season.
I've patched up a couple of smaller holes and mono crease with mylar sail tape. This worked fine.
I also blew the panel between the foot and bottom batten out. Probably 40cm tear. Tried mylar tape but the force and area of the tear the mylar tape didn't work.
Went down to avalon sails and picked up a 1m2 sheet of dacron sail tape - $10 thanks. Colours don't match but who cares.
Dacron tape works a treat.
Still gonna buy a new sail this winter