Any Advice/Ideas For My Cheap Luff Fix?

[Aaarrgh]

Well, I finally get to humble myself, and solicit advice from you guys.

I'll make this quick:
New furler requires 5mm luff.
Sail that I LOVE has 3mm luff.
3mm luff needs TLC to guide into extrusion, but fits, and stays once hoisted.
Furler works fine, and everything OK in light to moderate winds.
Yesterday winds heavy, and as I expected, luff escaped extrusion, and "All Hands" On Deck" to rescue jib.

Rather than perform the "conventional" and "proper" luff tape replacement, it enters my "handyman" mind to find the perfect material to sew over the existing, original luff-tape, which is in very good condition. I expect that there is a reasonably adequate material of 1mm thickness, that when sewn tightly against the existing 3mm encased luff "rope" the actual diameter will change to 5mm.

I expect that I can find some kind of material that I (you guys/gals) could come up with, that I could wrap around the luff, and closely match the overlap of the original luff tape dimensions, without having to remove original luff/rope/tape.

Any and all shared wisdom will be greatly appreciated!

Aaarrgh!

[newhaul]

Something like these sail slugs should fit the bill.
Bainbridge International > Sail Slide - Kiwi 5.6mm Sewn on

[barnakiel]

You can simply 'wrap' the existing luff tape in a layer of insignia. Very easy to do on the dock. Cut insignia into long strips.

Add a grommet at the lower exit of the sail and tie it round the alloy extrusion with some twine or tape. This is where normally the sail zips out first.

Cheers,
b.

[Aaarrgh]

Thanks, Mates,

These are both solutions worth consideration.

I just spent five bucks to order a small sample of Dacron material that I can sew over my existing luff. I'll use my micrometer to measure its thickness to see how much diameter ir will add to existing, and then decide what other options to consider.

Thanks, again,
Aaarrgh!

P.S. Keep the recommendations coming!

[mowerandy]

I like the cut of your jib - ahahahaha, little joke there.
But seriously, I do (Aarh).
How about seat-belt type webbing - should be about the right thickness, and is quite abrasion resistant and should slide fairly well. Heavy dacron might work, but the stuff gets pretty rigid at heavier gauges, so that wrapping it around the bolt rope and keeping it there while you sew it might be a bit of a chore?

Try it first before sewing - having just unpicked the foot of a second hand main I am cutting down for my boat atm, I would hate to have to do that for the entire luff - big PITA (not to mention potentially impossible with webbing since a straight stitch will almost disappear into the stuff)

[Aaarrgh]

Aha!
Never thought about webbing... tough, pliable, and it will soak up a little silicone spray to aid in sliding up (unlike dacron).

Good advice.

Anyone disagree?

Aaarrgh!

[JPA Cate]

Hello, Aargh,

Let me start with saying I haven't ever tried what you are talking about. However, I suspect that webbing will be too thick, bulk out the luff rope too much. At first I thought spinnaker repair tape might do it for you, but I think it is too thin, and maybe, too $$$$. So what do do? Sail cloth. Do not overlap joins. Use a zipper foot, so you can sew really close to the luff rope. Hope that the extra row of stitching holes doesn't weaken the whole thing.

I've never heard of someone doing this, and I am feeling quite interested as to whether it will be a successful experiment. I hope, if you try it, you come back and tell us what you've learned, what the results are.

The easy solution will still be waiting, if you don't like the results, so there's little risk.

Ann

[newhaul]

Just thought of this one why not just leave a turn on the furler

[Aaarrgh]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Just thought of this one why not just leave a turn on the furler

Hmmm... It works fine in 5-10k winds, but Saturday a 25 gust caught us by surprise. I suppose in more "brisk" winds, I could furl it a turn.

That's more good advice. I knew I could count on you guys (gals)

Aaarrgh!

[Aaarrgh]

Ann, and others,

Expect photos of whatever different attempt I make, and the final successful attempt.

I still welcome any other ideas, while I wait for my dacron sample to come in. I will hope that it's not too stiff, and hope that it's >1mm thick. 1mm, secured around my 3mm luff should add up to an additional 2mm in diameter, achieving the 5mm that I need. (no, my math is correct). If it is too stiff to work with, even after applying a little heat, then I will go for a webbing sample.

Again, Thanks to all!

Aaarrgh!

[Jim Cate]

My guess is that any sailcloth approaching 1mm in thickness will be stiff as a board! And I'd also guess that webbing, especially seat belt stuff, will be well more than 1 mm thick.

If this proves to be true, I'd give the previous suggestion of using sticky back "insignia" cloth. no sewing needed, fairly inexpensive and easy to apply.

The idea of a grommet just where the luff tape goes into the groove and a simple lashing to unload the entry point also has much merit... that's were I have seen most failures begin.

Jim