The numbers on the sail are coming loose.

Submitted by Iknit4fun on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 04:26

Forums:

What should I use to reattach the numbers on the sail?

I'm so excited to have found this forum. I've had my Mirror for 17 years. I've never seen another one like it. I sail it on a lake in Dayton, Ohio USA. I got interested in sailing after I learned how to windsurf. A sailor told me that it was easier to sail a boat with a rudder. My first sailboat was a Sailfish.

Iknit4fun

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 08:45

Is anybody reading this forum? I just removed one of the numbers from the sail. I didn't want to lose it. I guess I will just keep checking back to see if anyone has any suggestions. I tried to get onto the roll call too. Not there yet. Maybe Gernot is out sailing. It's still great sailing weather in Ohio. Will be sailing on Wednesday. Bye Bye

haventaclue

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 17:50

As a newbie myself I didn't know what to use.So I got a can of Lazer spray glue,the kind in an aerosol can and it seems to work well.Well they have gotten wet and haven't fallen off yet.

62816inBerlin's picture

62816inBerlin

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 11:53

Hello Heather,
sorry about that, I am wary of suggesting anything like this to other people without being absolutely sure.
As the sails are of Dacron or other synthetics and most adhesives contain organic solvents, I could be in trouble if I gave wrong advice. I am going to consult a local sailmaker on the subject before writing anything here.
However, as I now realize that you are in a textile-related trade (even if it's a hobby too), I would suggest you consult the material manufacturers - a lot of knitting wools also contain synthetics (or are totally synthetic in cases ? ) so the data sheets should contain information on suitable adhesives for attaching labels etc.
Glad to have read that you've reached your goal on the number of times you've been out in the Mirror.
As our sailing activities are divided among two boats, I may not make ten times in "Puffin" this year (unless you count three all-day outings with an extra weighting).
Cheers,
Gernot H.

62816inBerlin's picture

62816inBerlin

Tue, 11/05/2013 - 19:44

I dropped in on our local sailmakers ( http://www.segelwerkstatt-berlin.de/ ) and asked them what they do. They were of the opinion that one should avoid using adhesives as the effects of the solvents involved on the sailcloth are unpredictable.
They cut new numbers from self-adhesive fabric. Very large items may be cut from regular fabric and sewn on (only for very large sails).
I suppose that if you're not racing anyway, the number only has an "image value" and you could let them drop off over time (I did that with the sails of my daysailer "Anansi") and sail on without numbers. Trident UK asks you for the boat number when you order a new mainsail. I haven't actually put old and new on top of one another, but I have the feeling that the numbers are now lower down and possibly larger on the new sail.
Sorry about the delayed response,

Gernot H.

TTS's picture

TTS

Sun, 07/06/2014 - 02:20

3M Super 77 seems to do a great job. This glue stays more on the surface of the material, where other glues force there way IN to the material.