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Can anything be salvaged from a jib with a rotted leach

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:03 pm
by Hardcrab
on an otherwise perfectly sound, two year old factory sail? The jib was furled by the previous owner unprotected from the UV long enough to destroy the leach in an obvious exposed spiral pattern. It seems that something creative could be salvaged from what's left -- like a storm jib, anchor sail or whatever. Maybe nothing is possible, but it does seem like a huge waste to toss the whole thing because of the rot in that last outer 8 inches or so. Any good/brilliant suggestions that would be moderately cost effective?
Thanks for your thoughts.

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:46 pm
by DLT
The storm jib idea sounds plausible to me... But, then I'm not a sailmaker... The biggest problem I'd see is that the cloth might be too light...

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:48 pm
by Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
You could make a nice bag out of it...all the cool sailors have bags made out of sail cloth..although if you are a big time racer, Dacron may not be so cool. :wink:

I do like the storm jib idea. If I could get one cheap, it would be a good thing to have on an X boat since they don't do well in high winds with main alone.

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:42 pm
by Night Sailor
Any sailmaker should quote you a price on just adding a panel the full length of the leach for as wide as you want to make it. It's no different that adding a UV cover as far as performance goes. Make it a contrasting color and it could look really sharp!

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:37 pm
by Sloop John B
An 05M jib! Doesn't take long I guess.

Yeah, hang around a sail maker shop curious and friendly as hull, bring your girl friend if she's a looker, and get around to getting an extimate, and you'll help out, in their down time at night, for cash.

Rotten Leach

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:51 am
by Newell
I replaced the top half of my RF Genoa leach. The damage on mine was due to high speed sailing in tough conditions (70+ freeway). It later performed great, noting no reduction in performance. I have since sold it and presume it is back in furler heaven. I now travel without any sail exposed while driving. Hanked on heaven.

I think repair cost @80$.

Newell :macx:

Re: Rotten Leach

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:51 am
by pokerrick1
Newell wrote:The damage on mine was due to high speed sailing in tough conditions (70+ freeway).
You sail at 70+ on the freeway :?: :?: :wink: :wink:

Rick :) :macm:

Rotten Leach

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:44 pm
by Newell
Only when the speed limit is 75.

No kidding, freeway miles are rough on trailer sailors. I tried using a zippered UV cover but wore holes in that from chaffing.

Newell
Fast Sunday 96X

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:33 pm
by AWKIII
It won't make much of a storm jib. The factory jib is 4.0 oz. Dacron while a storm jib for a boat this size should be in 7 to 8 oz.

You can bring the sail to a loft and have them put new UV on the leech. There is a generic white available and then of course you can go with Sunbrela. Cost will probably run around $10.00 to $15.00 a foot installed depending on what you choose.

A new jib will cost you around $200.00. It would seem like this is the most cost effective route to take.

Wasn't able to tell what part of the country you are from. Most sail lofts use the Mason Dixon line to determine if UV is even needed. If you are north, they say no. South, yes.

The best of luck.

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:14 pm
by Catigale
I was going to add to Arts post - a storm job is one of those sails you really dont want any problems with...

:o