Time for a new jib?

[noelH]

Me bad.  A couple or so years ago had the jib repaired.  Tim's sail loft in Bayfield did the repair. He is also my go to person for repairing windsurfing sails.  He did comment about me needing to tension the jib luff line.  Which I've done just once when the sail was new and was a contributing factor to the tear that developed at the junction of luff tape and body. 

Couple sailing sessions ago I messed up attaching the jib clew to the sheet.  Hoisting the jib in F4 winds sent it flying and flapping like a flag until down hauled.  Of course in my rush I messed up attaching the soft shackle a 2nd time. Dolt!!

Inspecting the jib after a fine day of sailing I discovered two tear developing along the luff edge tape again.  And a couple of 2-3mm holes on the belly area of the jib. Not open holes. You can see intact threads running across the holes.   Then I also noticed some crease like not yet cracks when inspecting the sail and prepping it for some dacron sail tape repair.

Guessing the jib is at a point of needing replacement? I dacron sail taped the damaged areas and "holes". Considering taking it to Tim's shop after the season is over and his Autumn rush is over.  But also thinking maybe better to replace at this point.  Few thousand miles under sail and 9 years old. Opinions?

[Spot]

Sounds like it may be time for a new one.
If it were just the luff perhaps a trim and new luff tape, if it were just the belly holes...but both at the same time might indicate cloth in general is wearing out.
Sounds like you have used it well both years and miles.
Don't beat yourself up over mis-hoist or two.

Is Tim 'his own man' so to speak or is he associated with a national/international loft?
The loft in Edina, MN and in Sturgeon Bay, WI are both are part of UK Sailmakers if I recall correctly.

[Dave Scobie]

Call Harry at EPSails.com and order a new sail Noel.

[noelH]

Tim's Loft I think is a North sail associated loft.  The UK loft (Pete) was located just south of town at the top of Salmo hill next door to a woodcarving gallery/shop on Hwy13.  It's now some sort of gear, apparel shop for tourist.  Not sure if Pete has closed or moved.  Maybe like the ship's store in Bayfield.  Thought they moved.  Tim's shop is across the street from where the ship store was on Mannypenny.  He told me they closed up.  Building owner increased the lease.  It was the Madeline Is. Yacht Club mainland ship store. Now another gallery with "art" for the tourist. Still plenty of local options.  Pike's, Port Superior, Washburn Marina ship stores and guessing the Madeline Is shop.

Emailed Harry before having the jib repaired a few seasons ago.  He noted they have the templates or files on hand.  Hopefully will make it through the rest of the season with my patch job.  Worse case I have the high wind jib to use while I wait if it shreds the next time out.  Which is starting to look real bleak. 3rd day today with F0-1 condition.  Maybe gusts to F2.  Last Saturday was good wind, but the long term forecast (10days) were for the current bleak conditions.  At least it's warm (upper 70s-low 80s) vs. hot and the RH has been abnormally low for August.  Low 30s to low 40s is more than weird for August.