Maybe you could rough stitch it with herring bone stitches to bring it together,-Then, sew a length of hiking strap over and beyond the tear, using multiple box stitches. Repeat on opposite side. Maybe your sail loft will do this for a reasonable price. (Why buy new, when "slightly" used will do.) I like milking things out to the bitter end. But on a 2200 acre lake, I can't get into too much trouble.