A Few Tips on Patching or Masking with Tape

0

Tape seems like simple thing to manage. How complicated can it get? But as webe found in multiple past tests at Practical Sailor, the type of tape you choose, and how you use it determines the quality and durability of your work.

Weve carried out multiple tests of sail repair tapes, most recently in 2018 (see PS June 2018, Simple Sail Repair). In that report we found that Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) had the right stuff for just about any repair, but we also discovered the importance of prepping the surface before taping. Our report on masking tape explored the various types of tapes-long term vs. short term, normal edge vs. fine line, etc.-and their uses (see PS October 2013, 3M Masking Tape Matchup).

1. Use short strips of tape for long repairs to eliminate wrinkles.

2. Multiple passes with a seam rubber ensures good adhesion

3.Rub the tape until all the threads and texture show through.

4.Poorly adhered masking tape can let paint seep underneath.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.