I think a lot of the time it's due to the mast wearing the stitches, as you say there should be a better way of doing it.

^^ me too

over hmm 40 odd sails owned over 30yrs...?

Too much downhaul.

Good to know about the Taka, and also not a fan of Neilpryde sails. I wonder if Goya sails are on par with Ezzy sails. Just bought a Goya and love it. Very durable, great shape, lots of power. Very impressed with it!

I know that Goya recommends a flex top mast, but I talked to Jason, their sail designer and he told me Ezzy hookipa masts are the next closest to Goya's flex tops and would work fine, and he is right. Works perfect with the Ezzy Hookipa masts.

well,
it happened to me once before
wrote to sail maker and that year - was a known problem
local repair people gave me costs between $80 and $200
found an alternative - put a metal cap like in the image on end of mast
sometimes gets stuck, but is only used for one sail in my quiver
has worked last three(3) years and had sail maker's blessing

jaytee said..


They should sew a piece of sticky bac/dacron over the webbing to protect the stitching

When I first read this, I was wondering why streaky bacon would help

Firstly as a sail maker and one who has worked for the major brands there are several ways of making a sail that wont wear in the way you mentioned.

Some sails these days do have a protective hard plastic band on the top of the mast area so when it rolls on that area it will last slightly longer.

Best thing would be make and attach the head webbing then cover both sides, in and out with a sewn and glued pvc patch but most wont as this is more time consuming in the process. Most sails with a few exceptions are not designed to last more than a few seasons as they would never sell new ones and the ones that did last any longer are usually heavier. Dave Ezzy has probably the best match of durability and weight.

When fixing that area it is hard for the sail maker to get in there.....Firstly you have to take the luff section on the mast sleeve away then fix the problem, then re-sew it back together, also the thickest part and highly likely to break a needle or two.

My advice is never to rig on concrete, dont push too much sand up with the mast when rigging and get to know a good sail maker in your area that windsurfs....

I've had a couple do that ...my mast top had very sharp edges .I restitched it and put a plastic cup up it .
lasted another 5 years .

my new ish 2015 cheetahs have plastic caps In them ... Must be a reason for Graham to do so .

It was an inside job
Controlled demolition with mininukes or thermal underwear

unless I misunderstood, this is a DIFFERENT/another problem