How do I treat sail edges ?

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

First unpowered craft.

I am building a HFM Challenge yacht and there sails are a fine nylon (?) fabric. What is the best way of treating the edges ?

I was thinking of running a small amount of cyano glue to stop any fraying, also there is no spare material to strengthen the "clip" mounting points or corners is this really necessary ?

Thanks

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Trevor,

not sure what size this yacht is, but if they supply the sails they're normally cut with a hot knife to seal the edges.

Several options open to you, the first is to hem them, that is sew a folded seam along each edge.

Failing that you can buy "luff" tape, from a model yacht supplier, SailsEtc or Nylet to name just two, which can be stuck along the edge and overlapped along the edges. Luff tape is usually about 12mm wide.

Another way for smaller sails, which is a bit tricky, is to cut a length of double sided tape and stick this along the edge, expose the second sticky side and fold the edge back, creating a seam.

I've seen a small strip of gaffer tape used in a simlar way to luff tape.

As to reinforcements at the corners, you can buy them, or make your own with coloured gaffer tape, or to be really keen (like what I do) cut some more nylon strips, fold and sew them on. As to whether you need them, I always do, if the sail stretches in a strong gust and distorts there is no way to get the shape back – it then means making a new sail.

Oh, most polymers used for sails will not appreciated super glue – and using it will create very stiff edges which will become brittle in time.

Happy sail making, Kimmo

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Thanks for the input.

The hull is approx 26" long so apparently a "750".

The sail edges do not seem to be sealed with a hot knife.

I have some 1" wide clear waterproof hatch tape, would that do (I could fold over or leave single thickness) ?

Will check out the local model shops too.

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Hello Trevor,

if you can half the tape all the better, as I say, the luff tape is 12mm wide, so only 6mm when folded over. A single layer will suffice, and the hatch tape would do.

Kim.

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Thanks, will get to work over the weekend.

The kit also came with "storm sails" too but I will keep them in reserve until I get the hang of sailing in sensible weather first.

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