Mystery hole in sail

[ArmySailor]

Finally splashed the boat for 2019 season, bent on the main and saw this strange hole - right in the middle of the lettering. Definitely wasn't there when I stowed the sail. Can anybody take a swag at what caused it?

-sail was stowed in climate controlled environment (my apartment closet)
-the hole does not appear to be a stress or chafe hole. It looks almost burned, with a brown tinge around it. Also, when I used scissors to trim the hole in preparation for patching, it resembled "hard plastic" when I snipped off the hanging bits. They were sharp!

What say you, Sherlocks of CF?

-Gene

[Snore]

Elementary old boy,

Where was the stores for the winter??

The missing area is surrounded by a burn mark. Note the singed area and discoloration around the perimeter as well as your experience cutting it.

The rather straight line indicates seems to indicate it came in contact with something hot. But without knowing where it was stowed this is conjecture. I would discount refractive light damage due to the straight edge of the further most end of the damage area.

Awaiting your replies

S

[hpeer]

Mouse or some other critter. Brown are pee and other marks.

Had squirrels make a nest in our main while stored in the hard. Ate a bunch of holes in it.

Buggers.

[AndyEss]

Looks more like some sort of chemical burn/solvent.
Mice chew fabrics to develop nesting fluff. Very noticeable, along with droppings and often pupal mice.
Hard to mistake.

[barnakiel]

Yes. Some of the above. I have seen similar damage from rodents but also from a chemical agent. Heat leaves a slightly different mark and the edge gets hard and brittle.


b.

[thinwater]

The sharp edge just about narrows it down to heat. The stains suggest critters, but there would have been obvious dirt and more of it. A chemical burn wouldn't leave a sharp edge.



Anyway it could have leaned against a heater at some point? A conventional light bulb? Hot exhaust pipe?

[singlespeed]

Sure it didn't come in contact with a heat source between taking it off the mast and putting it in the closet? No possible heat sources on the deck; i.e.. a heater vent? Any other potential heat sources stored in the closet; curling irons, clothes irons? If you don't live alone, try questioning other individuals who live with you.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by singlespeed

Sure it didn't come in contact with a heat source between taking it off the mast and putting it in the closet? No possible heat sources on the deck; i.e.. a heater vent? Any other potential heat sources stored in the closet; curling irons, clothes irons? If you don't live alone, try questioning other individuals who live with you.

Ha, here comes the Spanish inquisition [emoji3]
This is going to be fun...

[Midnight Son]

I am with Thinwater, sure looks like a burn from a baseboard heater. I caught myself from inflicting the same on my Sanpiper main.

[ArmySailor]

Thanks for the input (guesses!) everybody... I'm convinced it was heat. I just have no idea where it would have happened. Or when. I'm feeling fortunate that it was limited to this little portion of the sail, though.

The sail was removed by me while in the slip in December, moved by vehicle (car trunk) to my apartment (into closet) where it sat until April. Same car, same slip, same procedure done opposite to bend it on. I do have a propane heater on the boat with the vent on cabin top, but I definitely wouldn't be running it while taking sails off. I honestly am flummoxed.

Singlespeed - I don’t live with anybody right now, just a single guy in DC in a tiny apartment (bigger than the boat though My lady friend has a bunch of stuff at my place, but nary a curling iron, or other mysterious heat-producing implement of feminine maintenance is around.

Thanks for the entertainment and input!

-Gene

PS: The lady friend hates sailing, so maybe she is trying to sabotage my plans for a summer cruise to circumnavigate DelMarVA?) motive?


PPS: Anybody want to join me in a Delmarva circle in July?

[AndyEss]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Ha, here comes the Spanish inquisition [emoji3]
This is going to be fun...

But will they be expected?

I for one, will accept the comfy pillow.

[Jesse]

Could it have rested against a tail light bulb while in the trunk?

[Don C L]

I too suspect a light bulb, but I’m curious, was it in a sail bag? Is there any mark on the sail in that part of the fold on the other side?

[ttex]

I'm putting my money on a lightbulb in the car trunk..

[Snore]

Originally Posted by ttex

I'm putting my money on a lightbulb in the car trunk..

[emoji122]

Well done sir—- agreed