Eyelets for Marine Sails & Canvas

The marine environment is the most demanding for any metal fastener. The combination of salt water, constant humidity, UV radiation and repeated mechanical stress will destroy any eyelet or grommet that is not specified in the right material within weeks. The eyelet for boat sails and for marine canvas requires materials and finishes that have nothing in common with those used on land.

At Industria Acosta Pramon we have been manufacturing marine-grade eyelets and grommets in brass and stainless steel since 1947, with references used by sail lofts, boatyards and marine canvas workshops across Spain.

Corrosion resistance: brass vs stainless steel in marine environments

The first decision when specifying an eyelet for marine use is the material. The two main options are brass and stainless steel, and the correct choice depends on the boat type, the operating area and the maintenance frequency.

Brass for marine use

Brass (a copper-zinc alloy) is the material historically most used in sail eyelets and marine canvas. It offers:

• Corrosion resistance superior to surface-treated steel
• Suitable ductility for clean crimping without cracking
• A recognisable golden finish, aesthetically compatible with most marine hardware
• A lower price than stainless steel

It is the right option for leisure boats in seasonal use, cruising sails and marine canvas with periodic maintenance. Acosta’s brass eyelets cover diameters from 4 mm to 30 mm.

Stainless steel for high-demand marine use

Stainless steel (marine-grade 316L) is the reference for racing boats, professional use or permanent installations in high-salinity environments. Its advantages over brass:

• Near-total corrosion resistance even under permanent immersion or spray
• Greater mechanical strength: higher breaking load for the same barrel diameter
• A silver appearance that is maintained over time without maintenance
• Essential for boats that stay in the water year-round

The stainless sail grommet is mandatory for racing sails, work-boat sails and awnings on boats kept in salt-exposed marinas.

Brass vs stainless steel comparison for marine eyelets

Applications: sails, boat awnings and covers

The marine market uses eyelets and grommets at multiple points on every boat:

Main, genoa and spinnaker

The most requested eyelet for boat sails is brass or stainless in 6–12 mm diameter, for luffs, clews and reefing points. Cruising sails usually take brass eyelets; racing sails require stainless because of the higher working loads. At the head and clew, the eyelet works under maximum tension and must be the largest diameter the sail design allows.

Boat awnings

Cockpit awnings, flybridge covers and hard-top PVC covers need eyelets around the perimeter of the PVC or acrylic canvas. The reference materials are brass or stainless in 10–14 mm. The marine canvas eyelet in marine-grade PVC works under constant tension and UV exposure, so pull-out strength is critical.

Covers and protective sleeves

Wheel covers, sail bags and deck covers use smaller-diameter eyelets (6–8 mm) for the closure system with cord or shockcord. In this case brass is more than enough and gives a finish consistent with deck hardware.

Repairing a sail eyelet: field replacement

Replacing a damaged or torn-out marine canvas eyelet can be done on site with a manual setting kit and the correct eyelet. The replacement eyelet must be the same diameter and material as the original, and the hole in the sail must be properly reinforced with a fabric patch or dacron tape before setting the new eyelet.

Standard sizes in marine use: selection guide

In every case, if the boat sails in high-salinity waters (open Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean) or stays in the water year-round, the correct choice is always the stainless marine eyelet over brass.

Branded eyelets for professional marine use

For sail lofts and boatyards that require a premium reference with a custom finish, we offer branded eyelets with the manufacturer’s or sail loft’s logo stamped on the flange. This option, available in our Branded Eyelets range, is used in:

• Racing sails from top-tier sail lofts
• Marine equipment with own-brand finish
• Luxury boat accessories where a custom finish is part of the value proposition

Branded eyelets are manufactured to order with a minimum batch matching the client’s design. Contact us for samples and production lead times.

Case use in sail lofts and marine canvas workshops

We work with sail lofts and marine canvas workshops that need a reliable supplier of eyelets and grommets for serial production. The typical requirements are:

• Stable stock references with immediate availability so production does not stop
• Consistent lot-to-lot quality: no dimensional variation that forces press re-setup between orders
• Ability to combine several references in the same order: eyelets of different diameters and materials
• Technical advice when a new application appears or a client has special specifications

As direct manufacturers we can guarantee these conditions and offer competitive volume pricing. Work directly with the company that makes the piece.

FAQ — marine eyelets

Which is better for a sail: brass or stainless steel?

For leisure sails in seasonal use with regular maintenance, the brass eyelet is more than adequate and more economical. For racing sails, work boats or boats kept in the water year-round, marine-grade 316L stainless is the only correct option.

Can I repair a sail eyelet myself?

Yes, provided you use an eyelet of the same diameter and material as the original. You need a hole punch of the correct diameter and a manual setting kit. Reinforce the insertion point with dacron tape or a fabric patch before setting the new eyelet, especially if the sail fabric is worn around the hole.

What eyelet diameter do I need for the reefing points of a mainsail?

Cruising mainsail reefing points typically use 8–10 mm inner diameter. For larger boats (over 12 m LOA) it may be necessary to step up to 12 mm. Sailcloth and reefing line diameter are the determining factors.

Request samples or a quote

We supply marine eyelets and grommets to sail lofts, boatyards, canvas workshops and specialist retailers across Spain. Send us your technical specification or get in touch directly.

[email protected]

Maintaining marine eyelets: conservation tips

Even the best brass or stainless eyelets benefit from basic maintenance to maximise their service life in marine environments:

• Rinse with fresh water after sailing. Especially for brass, rinsing with fresh water removes salt deposits that accelerate galvanic corrosion when brass contacts other metals on the sail or deck hardware.
• Periodic visual inspection. A sail eyelet starting to show surface corrosion (green on brass, black on low-grade stainless) should be replaced before the corrosion weakens the material. A corroded eyelet at the head of the sail can fail under load when hoisted.
• Light lubrication of deck grommets. Grommets used for closure cords (wheel covers, bags) benefit from light lubrication with petroleum jelly or marine lubricant to keep the cord running freely.
• Post-lay-up verification. Temperature variation between summer and winter can affect the grip of the eyelet in the fabric. Check that critical eyelets (sail corners, awnings under tension) are still well fixed at the start of each season.

Installation process in sails: best practice from professional sail lofts

Sail lofts that use our references apply these best practices when setting eyelets in sails:

Reinforcing the insertion point

On high-strength sailcloth (woven dacron, laminates) the eyelet hole is reinforced with a patch of the same material before fitting the piece. The patch should be at least four times the diameter of the eyelet and stitched around its perimeter or heat-sealed, not just glued.

Selecting the hole-punch diameter

On sailcloth, the hole should be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the eyelet barrel so the barrel grips before crimping. A hole exactly the barrel diameter can leave too much play, especially in high-density fabrics.

Cold setting for high-strength sails

For racing sails with laminated or high-strength materials (Spectra, Kevlar) cold pressing is mandatory. The heat generated by some electric setters can damage the laminate adhesives at the installation point.

Supply to sail lofts and marine workshops

We work as a regular supplier with sail lofts across Spain that need a stable, reliable supply of marine eyelets and grommets. Our supply terms are designed for workshop work:

• Orders from small quantities with no reference minimum
• Dispatch in 24–48 h for stock references
• Stable lot-to-lot references with no dimensional variation
• Free samples to validate the reference before the first production order