Doyle sail tear

[jbousquin]

Hello eveyrone,

I've got a small tear in my factory Doyle mainsail, near the top, below the headboard area, where the sail goes form being several layers on top of each other to just one. I saw the previous discussion here:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... ls#p236065

My sail is less than a year old (purchased in July 2011). My question is, Is it normal for dacron sails to develop tears in such a short amount of time? It's a small tear, and I should be able to repair it with the tape, but I'm a little worried about the quality of the sail in general.

What's the consensus on the quality of the Doyle factory sails?

Thanks, Joe

[pokerrick1]

My 2006 mainsail wore out in two years - - - but that's because I went sailing OVER 500 times those two years - - - probably about ten years of sailing for most people; which might be normal wear - - - so I am NOT a good guide. I taped the BeJesus out of my Doyle factory mainsail

Rick

[Hearts content]

You would have to post a picture to really make a comment. The biggest worry is that it would tear more. Think of sail tape as not very effective and temporary at best.

My foot started tearing on both ends after about a year. It cost me $50 to get it fixed and it is wearing well.. These are not hearty sails by any stretch of the imagination with the dacron being "very" light weight. I am thinking of a 2 full-batten replacement main and a 100% jib as nice additions to the sail inventory.

How a long a sail lasts will vary wildly amongst the owners of the same sail and boat. It depends on use and care.

[powersailor]

I had the issue of an aft tear on the main - like others, a $50.00 fix. Friend of mine had tears both for and aft - must be part of the sail design / application.

[NiceAft]

One year is just too short a period far a sail to tear. Contact where you purchased it from and complain. What do you have to loose? Post a picture.

Ray

[Catigale]

The factory sails are cheap end run material which I don't think Doyle even describes as Dacron (tm)...sails for the Mac are real cheap compared to most boats..do patch that tear AsAP...it wont get better with age.

[jbousquin]

Thanks for the comments, fellas. Here is a pic:

http://s1152.photobucket.com/albums/p48 ... ilTear.jpg

I included my fingers to give it scale. This is looking at the tear after I put tape on one side of it, and BEFORE I taped the second side. Both sides are now taped, I sailed with it yesterday, and it seemed to hold up, at least in light winds.

Ray, thanks for the perspective, I think you're right, and I will contact my dealer about this. The fact that the bolt rope has already started to seperate from the headboard, and now this, has me thinking these sails just aren't much more than throwaways.

Edit: Catigale, MacGregor website specifies 3.8 oz "Dacron," so I think it is recognized, though clearly the lightest Dacron that I've seen out there.

[yukonbob]

Looks like it hooked something when you were hoisting it. As for the stock sail, they are very cheap. Just got a new 6oz from Judy and WOW. You don't have to touch it to know it's better quality, you can see it in the stitching, fabric, grommets everything. I remember my factory main feeling stiff before I got the new one...now it kinda feels like a tissue you've had in your pocket for a week. For what you pay for a factory sail, better off spending a little more and getting something great! Thanks Judy. Haven't had a chance to sail it yet as I only put it on last weekend and the winds were a little too crazy to go out, but hopefully this weekend. I know without even have sailed it, it will sail better than the stock one. Can't wait. Gonna go for a new jib this winter.

[jbousquin]

Hi Bob,

I know, you'd think it hooked on something, but it hasn't -- there's nothing for it to hook on to.

I bought this sail July 1, 2011, and sailed with it until mid-November. Over the winter, I stored it inside, inside its own sail cover on the boom in a cool, dry location.

When I flew it the for the second time this season, I noticed the tear.

So basically, I've used this sail for a total of 4.5 months, and the bolt rope is starting to seperate at the headboard, and it now has this tear in it. I'll try to get a photo of the bolt rope next time I'm at the boat.

Seems like everyone is saying the same thing about the quality of the factory sails, which makes you wonder why Doyle would agree to produce them to these specifications. Their sails, it seems, generally enjoy a good reputation, but not the ones produced as OEMs for the Mac.

Disappointed on the Delta... .

[Terry]

Just got a new 6oz from Judy and WOW. You don't have to touch it to know it's better quality, you can see it in the stitching, fabric, grommets everything. For what you pay for a factory sail, better off spending a little more and getting something great! Thanks Judy. Haven't had a chance to sail it yet as I only put it on last weekend and the winds were a little too crazy to go out, but hopefully this weekend.

I didn't know Judy did the standard Mac sails, nice to know. I did get the spinnaker and snuffer from her and they are great value. Let us know how the sail works out Bob and how it fits, is it the same dimensions as the factory or is it bigger? I got the KH Musclehead/Fathead sail a few years ago and would love to be able to get a replica of it when the time comes.

[yukonbob]

I know, you'd think it hooked on something, but it hasn't -- there's nothing for it to hook on to.

My first thought would be a bolt? It's vertical and I believe it goes perpendicular to the main chords in the material (I think the larger stronger strands run along the horizon...could be mistaken)

yukonbob wrote:
Just got a new 6oz from Judy and WOW. You don't have to touch it to know it's better quality, you can see it in the stitching, fabric, grommets everything. For what you pay for a factory sail, better off spending a little more and getting something great! Thanks Judy. Haven't had a chance to sail it yet as I only put it on last weekend and the winds were a little too crazy to go out, but hopefully this weekend.

I didn't know Judy did the standard Mac sails, nice to know. I did get the spinnaker and snuffer from her and they are great value. Let us know how the sail works out Bob and how it fits, is it the same dimensions as the factory or is it bigger? I got the KH Musclehead/Fathead sail a few years ago and would love to be able to get a replica of it when the time comes.

Hows it going Terry, hope the weathers cooperating with you down there. Yes it is a standard replacement and WOW! Single slug along the foot, nice heavy ss gromets, heavy stitching ect ect...I will hopefully get a chance on Saturday. As far as I can see it fits great (haven't has it all the way up but about half way) Will let you know come sunday.