UK-HALSEY CARE:

SAILMAKERS APPLYING PATCHES

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Spreader Patch

Genoa's Leech

Area of detail

Where spreader would hit the sail when sheeted tight.

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All Mylar-based genoas either come with spreader patches in place or with spreader patch material to be applied. The patches are sticky-back Dacron material that protect the sail from wear as the sail scrapes across the ends of the spreaders during a . Never use a without the patches in place. To determine the proper location for the patches, put the genoa up in other person slowly peel the paper out calm conditions and go up the from under the patch as you smooth it in a bosun’s chair to mark where the to the sail (Photo 3). spreader hits the leech when the sail Hint: The two people doing the is sheeted in tightly. The patch should job should use their knees to keep the span from eight inches to a foot in sail under tension so that the sail front of that point all the way back to fat in the area you are working. the leech. Next, return to the leech and fold Since the leech of the sail rises forget to mark where the stanchion over the frst few inches of material up when the is eased, place the patches should be. that you left loose (Photo 4). After the patch so that three-quarters of the To put the patches on a genoa, patch is in place, use a hard plastic patch is below the point where the make sure that the sail is dry and salt squeegee or blunt side of a pair of scis- spreader hits the sail when sheeted in free. With a large fat surface to work sors to truly press the patch to the sail. (See Diagram Above). Don’t forget to on, crease the frst fve inches of leech Repeat the same process on the put patches on both sides of the genoa. edge of the patch and peel off the opposite side of the sail, but instead of An alternative to going up the backing paper (Photo 1). Tack that putting the patch exactly on the other mast is to sheet the sail in and make edge in place so that the patch will be side, offset it by one inch in all direc- notes of where the spreader would parallel to the water and that two or tions. Mylar are susceptible to touch the sail. Use visual reference three inches of the patch extends off cracking at hard edges and stepping points like seams and tapes. the leech of the sail (Photo 2). Lay the the patches this way will prevent Before you lower the sail, don’t patch fat against the sail and have an- problems.