What is the missing part here called?

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by savoir

No headboard. That is a very old batten pocket end.

Why would there be a batten pocket in the 'corner' of a mainsail?

[savoir]

It isn't a corner. There is a fold in the bolt rope and sail beneath the pocket end fitting.

[four winds]

Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599

Why would there be a batten pocket in the 'corner' of a mainsail?

Edit,.... actually maybe not like the shackle next one down, different connection. Looking at the wear pattern on the webbing looks like something different. Many a twist shackle.

What does the connection look like on the other batten locations?




That's not a corner. It's merely a fold in the flaked sail.

To the OP, you need a new shackle like the one on the next slug down in the pic.

[bgun]

Thanks for the info! The photo is a bit awkward - the sail is still partially flaked, so it looks like there's an angle there when it's just a bend. It does appear to be a refurbished bolt rope sail.

I should have probably just said "grommet" but that is indeed the luff pocket of a full batten.

A shackle or jib hank should work nicely. I thought perhaps there was a specific piece missing, but the consensus seems to be that it's a hack job, which would be right in line with several other "modifications" aboard.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Stumble

That is one goofy system... It looks like it was originally a bolt rope sail that someone put grommets into to use sail slugs... My guess is that the original slug sewn into that webbing disintegrated years ago and it was tied to the empty slug in the picture, but they may also have used a shackle of some sort.

The cheap way to fix it is to tie the slug to the slug with piece of 2mm dyneema... It's what I would do if I was offshore and didn't have any better options. Long term I would be seriously looking at a new sail though.

that's a pretty normal look mainsail luff. All that's happened here is the webbing has chaffed through. Just get yourself a few yards of the say type of webbing and sew it in place of the worn out stuff. probably a twenty minute fix. not even worth paying someone.

[four winds]

Originally Posted by pcmm

that's a pretty normal look mainsail luff. All that's happened here is the webbing has chaffed through. Just get yourself a few yards of the say type of webbing and sew it in place of the worn out stuff. probably a twenty minute fix. not even worth paying someone.

OP said it's frayed but intact.

Sail construction is same as all three used sails I have used on my boat. Connections all as pictured in the grommet location below the batten.

[Time2Go]

Go to Sailrite.com
They have all the schackles
as well as all the sewing bits you might need.
Didn't check but there might be videos of the exact repair
you need to do.
Cheers
Neil

[Sailorbob8599]

Originally Posted by savoir

It isn't a corner. There is a fold in the bolt rope and sail beneath the pocket end fitting.

Thanks Savoir, just got to get my head screwed right to see the fold; It is as you say, an old style batten pocket. Thanks for putting me straight.

[Rustic Charm]

Can I suggest that it originally probably had a stainless slug which was weaved on to the baton holder. They do this because where the baton holder is usually has extra strength needed. I'd say it's broken out at some stage or the weave broke, so they replaced it with a normal plastic slug and a clip which is commonly used on all the others. Then that plastic has broken and your left with what you have in the photo.

[Aqualibrium]

Absent

[buzzstar]

I see from all of the comments that I am incorrect, but right off the top I'd have said I see the tack, and I do not see a batten.

[Djarraluda]

Originally Posted by mobjackjohn

no need to take the whole sail to a sailmaker ...show them the picture ...the slug is fine ...just replace the small pc. of poly webbing and stitch it to the slug and yer off... CHECK THE OTHERS ...fair winds

My money is on - The slug is actually broken and the webbing pulled out.
I have had a lot of them do that over the years, so check that first. I tend to replace one every couple of months. One day I will actually do them all together, but that would be "getting around to it"! Never enough time anyway.

When you buy new slugs, you can also get some flat plastic shackles that fasten with a small stainless steel screw. Cut the webbing off and use these.