[quote=Wolfman]I had something similar happen to my original (essentially homemade) sail. I replaced the clew plate using tiny stanless screws and nylock nuts. Worked great. I would think your rivets were corroded or not set properly.
Generally you are supposed to use the aluminum hammer set rivets but brass is MUCH stronger. I would go with pete's advice.
I've been reading up on sailmaking, tarpmaking (sewing myself some new wing seat tramps and making a custom cover for my boat) and i wouldn't discount the value of fabric reinforcing for distributing the load! I would bring the sail to your local loft and get them to sew in a reinforcing patch 2-3 layers thick with radial stitching to the clew plate. Then install the clew plate over top of that. Probably cost you less than 50 bucks and I doubt it will break again!
D.[/quote]
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