In this article we’re going to see what a proper sail repair kit must contain. Having onboard the tools you need to fix your sails is a must. You shouldn’t set sail without a marine repair kit as a long-voyage sailor or even as a day cruiser. In case you want some extra assistance then your local sailmaker can help you through customization based on your sailboat’s type. Sail repair kits must have essential tools, patches, and tapes for any on-the-go marine repairs. So, what are the most essential sail repair tools to carry on your sailboat?  

Basic Questions

Before choosing a sail repair kit, you must customize it according to your needs. So, before buying your kit ask yourself and your local sailmaker the above-mentioned questions:

1. The type of sails your sailboat has. Are they Dacron or membrane? There are specific tools and items for some types of sails.
2. In case you are not cruising, but racing, then the tools and materials are different for each purpose. Your sailmaker can also help you through that.
3. Remember that the longer the trip, the more time you’d need to repair sail damage. So, for how long are you going to cruise the ocean?
4. If your sailboat is over 50 feet, then consider buying a good sewing machine.

Handy Advice

Usually, sticky-back Dacron is the best option for any sail repair at sea. Sticky-back Dacron is a simple Dacron tape with an adhesive backing and forms a necessary item to have on board. Dacron comes in various weights, but the 3oz. is the better adhesive as well as the most versatile. Furthermore, you can adjust it to the required weight by layering. If you do that in a gradual transition you won’t end up with a hard spot at the edge of the patch that will eventually be a weak spot in the sail.

Before starting working on fixing the damage, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the area that is going to be patched. Preferably wipe it with rubbing alcohol. If needed, sticky-back will also adhere to damp Dacron. However, the bond will be more effective if the sail is dry and clean, so leave the sail in direct sunlight, as the heat will soften the adhesive and make the bond better. Any Dacron sail can be repaired with sticky-back, even spinnakers. However, apply sticky-back for spinnakers only for a quick fix otherwise try to avoid it because Dacron is not compatible with nylon. You can use rip-stop nylon tape for a long-term fix for spinnakers, but remember that ripstop nylon doesn’t have equal adhesion as dacron, and sometimes needs to be sewn.

Laminated and molded sails can also be repaired with sticky-back Dacron! It’s very powerful on fabric with film outer layers because it perfectly adheres to that type of material. If you deal with delicate fabrics, then sticky-back has to be left unsewn, because the needle holes tend to weaken the base fabric. In any case, no matter what the material is, this specific kind of patching is all you need to fix a small tear in a low-load area, like the center of a sail.

The same guidelines apply if one of the stitchings opens up. If the stitching is in a low-load area, then apply a sticky-back patch to both sides and leave it for some minutes. On the contrary, if the leach tape is loose or if the seam has torn close to the leech (a high-load area), then you might have to sew the sail. If that happens you can use a sticky-back patch to hold everything in place while you manually stitch with a needle and thread.

Basic Sail Repair Kit

Your sail repair kit has to fit your route’s planning and should be tailored to suit your needs. For example, if you’re going on a long voyage then make sure to fill up your repair kit. Store big items in a bag in a convenient place and put smaller items in a more accessible place. The easy-access bag must have a wax thread, scissors, whipping twine, needles, and a sticky-back Dacron. The quantity of the tools and materials in your sail repair kit will vary depending on the length of your voyage and the type of your sailboat. Let’s see the basic sail repair list:

• Hand sewing palm
• Adhesive-backed Dacron tape
• Sharp scissors
• Tear aid patches
• Hand sewing needles of different sizes (No.14, No.15…)
• Awls and push-pins
• Seam rippers
• Sticky-back Dacron, around 54 inches wide
• Spectra webbing with a variety of widths
• Polyester webbing with a variety of widths
• A roll of pre-wax hand sewing thread
• Spool of waxed thread
• Kevlar insignia (for chafe spots on laminate sails)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Extra luff slides
• Double-sided tape
• 2 cans of spray adhesive
• 2 stainless steel rings with bar
• Cloth (Dacron, laminate or nylon).

>>Also Read: Best Sail Repair Tape

Other Tools and Materials to Add to Your Sail Repair Kit

• Seizing wire
• Spare hanks
• A spare luff tape matching the length of your headsail
• Leechline cord that is twice the length of your mast height
• Portasol propane hot knife kit
• Hole cutter and assorted rings
• A whole corner patch of one of your spinnakers
• Nicropress tool and sleeves.

Boat Sail Repair Kit Essentials – Summary

Preparation and organization is the key to everything. If you’re well prepared for any unexpected incident then you don’t have to worry about anything. But in case your sails are damaged, simply follow the basic guidelines written in my previous article “How to repair the sails on your sailboat at sea”. This article will help you deal with some of the most common damages on sails.

So, as I’ve mentioned before, it’s necessary for the basic sail repair kit to contain: some needles, a pair of sharp scissors, a sailmaker’s palm, a small pair of pliers, sail repair tape for both Dacron and spinnaker materials, larger sections of sail repair material, Venture tape and webbing. Moreover, consider adding some waxed twine, a ripstop sticky-back for the spinnaker, a big swatch of Dacron sticky-back, a 3M marine adhesive sealant, some acetone, West System epoxy, and a grommet kit. Last but not least, if you’re equipped with these tools and some basic skills in order to use them, you will certainly feel confident in facing any damage that might appear on your way. Good luck!