How to Repair a Catamaran Sail

If you really love your catamaran but find a rip in the sail, you need to repair it immediately. Small rips can be patched and the sail can be used for another season or more. There are some tricks in repairing sails on "Cats" that make the job easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Spinnaker repair tape or white rigging tape
• Scissors or knife
• Sewing machine or needle
• Thread
• Matching material
• Alcohol
• Pins
• Double edged mending tape
• Cloth tape

Make Emergency Repairs

1. Purchase spinnaker repair tape or white rigging tape for holes in the sail.
2. Clean and dry the area thoroughly. The tape is useless if the area has a layer of dirt, or if it's damp.
3. Measure the size of the hole and add 2 to 3 inches on all sides. Cut out two matching pieces of spinnaker or white rigging tape to fit the measurement.
4. Lay as flat as possible and remove the paper backing on the tape. Apply to one side. Turn over the sail material and apply it to the other side, matching the first patch.

Make Seam Repairs

5. Check the seaming on an area that is similar. See if there needs to be additional reinforcement. Align the material to the original position.
6. Use alcohol to treat the area for moisture. Remove the old thread and pin the seam to the original shape.
7. Put mending tape that is double edged on the bottom layer of the cloth. Press the top cloth down smooth so that no ripples of folds are seen.
8. Use a sewing machine to make a zigzag stitch. If you must sew it by hand stitch single stitches at an angle similar to the following pattern: ////. Come back using the opposite direction so this stitch is zigzag or looks like this: /\/\/\/\. This pattern allows for give when the material is stretched.
9. Complete the project by covering any area that has a lot of rubbing with a cloth tape.

Repair Holes and Tears in the Sail

10. Lay the area to be repaired flat. Make certain that the cloth is in the original position. You want the threads to match so the sail will be flat. Once the sail is in line, tape the two edges together.
11. Outline the area to be patched with double stick tape, but don't remove the top paper backing. Seal the threads on the interior of the tape by using a hot knife or hot scissors.
12. Choose cloth that resembles both weight and material of the original. Align to the direction of the sails threads. Pin it to the sail so that it is flat.
13. Use the outline of the tape on the sail to draw the outside edge on the patch. Remove the patch material and cut it making certain to seal the edges using a hot knife or scissors.
14. Align the patch to the hole. Make certain that the direction of the threads match. Remove the backing from the tape and press into place.
15. Use a small needle and small zigzag stitches to hold the patch into place.