I noticed my mast sleeve has some fraying about 30cm from the top of the mast sleeve. See photo below.
I have covered the area with some sail repair tape. How effective is tape for this type of repair given that quite a lot of force occurs in this area when inserting the mast?

Not very, sailmaker job

I had a similar tear in my 5.3 Naish force after an altercation with a metal bin. I fixed it with white seat belt material stuck on with flexible material glue from spotlight. So far so good...

Spoke to a sail repairer and was a big job as you have to open up the luff pocket to fix.

I just went to take a photo and it is coming off so forget my idea

At a guess I'd say it's cosmetic as the load is down not across but you'd need to stop it getting worse, but I'd wait for Mark to answer

Also I'd say it's caused by shoving the mast all the way up instead of most the way then feeding the sail down if that makes sense, if you're already onto that sorry

Thanks bob (I think )

very low load area for sure, it will last like that for years but just be a pain to insert the mast.
repair would simply be for the reduction in PITA

sail repair tape simply won't stick.

If you are stingey as me, get a semi circle needle and the synthetic thread used for fishing rod guide bindings and sew away (cheap and good practice for Gnaraloo desert repairs.)

Yep trim with scissor s then out with the needle and thread ... Normal cotton .works.thick stuff .or braided fishing line .

Try sewing with dental floss. It's strong, waterproof and doesn't rot. Also handy for harness repairs on the run.

Superglue?

I did a couple of such repairs myself at about the same location too. I used fishing line and a medium size needle which allows the fishing line to thread through.

One very important hint that may help...Insert a broom stick inside the mast sleeve before stitching. That way, you will avoid stitching the other side of the sleeve as well, as I found out after 20 minutes' work

Learn how to put the mast in the sleeve so that won't happen anymore. Mustn't be so force full or in a rush.

Thanks for all the replies.

I had an old 8.5 race sail that had vertical tears in the luff pocket along 50% of its length. I repaired with black 50mm wide fabric tape. The repair worked successfully for 3 years before I sold the sail. The new owner is still using it.

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John340 said...
I had an old 8.5 race sail that had vertical tears in the luff pocket along 50% of its length. I repaired with black 50mm wide fabric tape. The repair worked successfully for 3 years before I sold the sail. The new owner is still using it.

Useful info

What type of fabric tape? Iron on?

Hand stitch and then..
Make sure the area is free from salt and fully dry. Get something on the inside same size as a mast with a plastic bag covering it,
Plaster the whole area with a product called SEAM GRIP available from adventure outlets & some camping shops. Drys in 24 hours.
It sets clear and flexable and will stop the fraying and be structurally sound as well. I have repaired a sail sleeve and a camping chair same way which was ripped right through and it has held some heavy bums for over 12 months so far. You can also put some seat belt type material over the glue and hold it down with a heat pack until dry.

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jirvin4505 said..

John340 said...
I had an old 8.5 race sail that had vertical tears in the luff pocket along 50% of its length. I repaired with black 50mm wide fabric tape. The repair worked successfully for 3 years before I sold the sail. The new owner is still using it.

Useful info

What type of fabric tape? Iron on?

No, nothing that fancy, just bog standard Scoth 3M Duct Tape from Bunnings