Hallo, it's some considerable time since I contributed. I'm still here, still sailing my Trouper 12 around Studland and Poole - I was sailing in Poole Harbour yesterday actually, celebrating my 84th birthday (not really boasting, but thank you). Very interested to catch up on the electric outboard topic, because a fading breeze had me starting a 2 mile row, terminated when the starboard chunk of hardwood supporting the rowlock pin snapped in half (repairable). I think my rowing (as opposed to sailing) days probably ought to be over. Anyway, I got enough evening breeze after that to get me home.
Sorry, enough of all that. Here's my technical problem. I was chagrined to find three small tears in the sail yesterday. All within a 10 cm square, ragged, look as if the sail had snagged on something sometime, no idea how it happened. Not in a critical area, near the luff. The sail is 11 seasons old. I don't think UV degradation has to do with it - except when I'm actually out sailing, it's always under a thick cover.
Provisional plan (subject to the collective wisdom of the Forum) - send the sail for professional repair next winter. Any views on where to go? Meanwhile, treat the tear edges with something to stop them getting worse. I thought a smidgen of low viscosity superglue. My wife suggested nail varnish, which could be removed with acetone.
Suggestions please. Thank you. And cheers
Michael Rogers (junk rigged Trouper 12 - but a Swallowboat/yacht for all that)
