Well after 25 years of use, I guess one can expect some sort of sail wear :D !
Here the clear plastic is peeling off the Dacron material.
Should I cut away the plastic and leave it as is or add some tape to reinforce the area?
Super happy with the sail, zero issues aside from this.

I leave it on my '96-'98 North Raves, Converts.
Nice rattle sound, and cutting it off might prevent spreading.
However, by 1997, we knew non-stretch mylar was not compatible with forever stretching dacron.
Dacron was the strength anyways.

Strip off and clean area with isopropanol 70%, dry with hair dryer, then cover with Gorilla clear uv 2" wide tape ( maybe try a small area first). If the clear tape does not stay on use Gorilla black/silver/white 2" tape, that tape will stick to most things including fabric, x-ply, and mono film.

All I can say is that after a few years use its just amazing how much better a new sail feels of about the same size and type, all sails stretch and go a bit baggy when regularly used (say 75-100 sail days),even if undamaged, just save this one as a backup.

On the dacron/film type cloth the film stops the strength and the dacron add rip resistance. One the polyester film starts failing the cloth will stretch easily. It is a sign to start saving up for a replacement.

If all the damages is on one panel only you could get the panel replaced but makes sure you thoroughly check the rest of the sail to make sure the rest isn't going to fail.

Tried to tape, a complete fail... Not noticing any downside yet of running naked dacron. As a matter of fact, I thought it performed flawlessly. I just love this sail!

Strongly thinking about getting a sewing machine

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Manuel7 said..
Tried to tape, a complete fail... Not noticing any downside yet of running naked dacron. As a matter of fact, I thought it performed flawlessly. I just love this sail!

Strongly thinking about getting a sewing machine

did you try Gorilla brand black, white, or silver duck tape? ( not the clear tape). It has stuck to all parts/surfaces of my sails, I found it helped to apply tape in full sunlight, the heat helped warm the fabric and tape so the tape would stick initially. If you hit that panel with a hand or hook you risk tearing it.

Guys, dacron us the strength!
And, dacron is used in the luff pocket, where stretch is tolerable.
Now look at Hot STREAK. Aren't they all dacron, NO mylar?

Darn spellcheck. STREAK

Got me again. S Freak.

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Sandman1221 said..

Manuel7 said..
Tried to tape, a complete fail... Not noticing any downside yet of running naked dacron. As a matter of fact, I thought it performed flawlessly. I just love this sail!

Strongly thinking about getting a sewing machine

did you try Gorilla brand black, white, or silver duck tape? ( not the clear tape). It has stuck to all parts/surfaces of my sails, I found it helped to apply tape in full sunlight, the heat helped warm the fabric and tape so the tape would stick initially. If you hit that panel with a hand or hook you risk tearing it.

If you can not get Gorilla tape to stick well, spray Dacron with Loctite spray contact adhesive, let dry and then tape will stick.

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Sandman1221 said..

Manuel7 said..
Tried to tape, a complete fail... Not noticing any downside yet of running naked dacron. As a matter of fact, I thought it performed flawlessly. I just love this sail!

Strongly thinking about getting a sewing machine

did you try Gorilla brand black, white, or silver duck tape? ( not the clear tape). It has stuck to all parts/surfaces of my sails, I found it helped to apply tape in full sunlight, the heat helped warm the fabric and tape so the tape would stick initially. If you hit that panel with a hand or hook you risk tearing it.

Hi Sandman,

Why not the gorilla grip clear tape?

Is this not similar to the patches sent with the sail?

There's a lot of surface. The dacron does stretch when I pump. On the superfreak the luff roach seens to have very little tension!

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oscardog said..

Sandman1221 said..

Manuel7 said..
Tried to tape, a complete fail... Not noticing any downside yet of running naked dacron. As a matter of fact, I thought it performed flawlessly. I just love this sail!

Strongly thinking about getting a sewing machine

did you try Gorilla brand black, white, or silver duck tape? ( not the clear tape). It has stuck to all parts/surfaces of my sails, I found it helped to apply tape in full sunlight, the heat helped warm the fabric and tape so the tape would stick initially. If you hit that panel with a hand or hook you risk tearing it.

Hi Sandman,

Why not the gorilla grip clear tape?

Is this not similar to the patches sent with the sail?

Hey Oscardog, In my experience, the Gorilla clear tape works great on x-ply/monofilm so a plastic film, but does not stick to fabric permanently, while the Gorilla duck tapes do stick to fabric and uneven surfaces like seams.

I wouldn't think tape with thick glue that sticks to cloth would stop any stretching.
There is some good stuff for monofilm or the Mylar .I don't think any type of tape would work on Dacron.

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Imax1 said..
I wouldn't think tape with thick glue that sticks to cloth would stop any stretching.
There is some good stuff for monofilm or the Mylar .I don't think any type of tape would work on Dacron.

Yep, a reinforcement with stitches is best! I'll keep sailing it naked for now and go from there.

^ Sailing NAKED huh? Must be warm where you live!
Do many people stop n stare?

^^
Less weight = less stretching of the sail .
Makes sense to me .

^ Definately performance orientated.