Loose sail threads

Hello all,

My new 2014 TI sail has loose threads separating from the lower sail edge. I have cut some off; however, they continue to reappear. This may be 'normal', but I would like some other opinions on the subject. Thanks

My new 2014 TI has a lot of loose threads as we'll and I was wondering the same thing. I feel like the sail is going to fall apart at the seems

This is normal on pretty much most sails. The actual thread for the cross stitching is usually white, as long as your not talking about that stitching you should be ok. Hobies edging is not cut on a bias so the edges will pull out in some areas, I usually just put a little super glue on a few spots in the affected area and cut away the loose threads carefully and it will last forever.
All of Hobies sails are very high quality IMO.
Bob

I only got a year out of my Hobie TI sail and was told by Hobie that was considered normal. It was the mast top portion that tore out.

If you only have the single small fibers coming off the edges of the panels, that's not likely much to worry about. Trim them though, as they get longer they tend to pull out more. But those aren't going to undermine your sail in short time.

I have a new TI and noticed a few threads as well. I carefully took a lighter and burned the threads off in the same way I do to the end of ropes or clothing. This prevents the thread from continuing to come out. Just be careful not to let the flame touch the sail and don't heat up the sail.

I hope that my sail lasts much longer than 1 year! Do you wash it down and let it dry before you store it in the sail bag? I would have expected several years of life out of my sail.

All my gear is maintained in meticulous fashion. Nothing is abused and nothing is put away wet. Never.

# Kirkman

How many hours use have you got out of your sail? Is it the sailing that wears the sail out, is it the sun or salt or what is your idea? And what is the cost of a new sail where you live?

I think Hobie should give us a sail bag in another color than black, as black collects a lot of heat. I also think the sail bag should have a long opening or at least have two or three parts, as it is rather difficult to get the sail into and out of the sail bag, at least when you're out on the water. Getting the sail into and out of the sail bag might be one of the worst parts for the sail.

I probably had 20 to 30 hours on it when the top mast pocket tore out. The stitching creates a weak point in that area.

A new sail was about $800 I think, so I took a different route.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaP6B_hSatY

I never really thought about it but my expectation was getting at least 3-5 years (or more) out of the sail before it needed to be replaced. This is sailing maybe up to 100 hours per year.

I hope that Tom's failure was replaced under warranty. That appears to be a defect.

The TI is a great boat and I also maintain and store mine appropriately.

The claim was denied, but the fix is holding up well. Or, at least, so far so good.

My TI sail has been used for well over 900 hours so far with no signs of damage other than some cosmetic weasr on the clear bottom panel.

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker