How to Install a Mainsail Headboard

Do you do your own sail repairs? If you’re a self-reliant sailor, you may need to install a new headboard on your sail at some point. Our video shows you how to install a headboard on a mainsail using just a few supplies from Sailrite^®. Let’s get started.

At Sailrite, we stock sailboat headboards in a variety of sizes and materials. We have aluminum and nylon choices in multiple sizes to fit your sailboat. Use your headboard as a template to trace a hole for the installation of the rivets, halyard and any webbing slugs that may be installed on your sail.

You’ll need to punch the holes in your sail. We’re using a heavy-duty mallet and a hole punch to punch our holes. We carry hole cutters in several sizes for all your cutting needs. Our sizes range from 1/8 inch to 1 inch. Make sure you have a cutting mat under your sail as you punch the holes to keep your work surface protected. Using a cutting mat will also keep your hole cutter edges sharp. If you don’t have a hole cutter and mallet, you can use a razor blade, but it’s much faster and easier to use a hole cutter.

Once your holes are cut, next up is inserting the rivets. Watch the video below to see the entire process. This is a very quick DIY and you’ll have your headboard installed in no time!