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New respect for sailmakers

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/06/2004 : 23:04:27

I have a whole new respect for the sailmakers throughout the ages.

As a result of all the discussions regarding loose-footed mains'ls, I decided to modify mine while I had the sail home to repair a couple of batten pockets, areas of chafe, and last season's blown out nylon sail slugs. So, I purchased a sail repair kit, SS sail slide, 1" nylon webbing, and new SS-bailed sail slugs from SailRite.

Let me tell you, sail cloth is some VERY tough material. My first attempt to sew the nylon webbing in as tack and clew reinforcements made it apparent that the needle was never going to go through, palm or no. SailRite's sale repair guide recommends using a 1/8" drill bit to "prep" the needle holes. Thinking that was rather excessive, I opted to use a hammer and nail. For those of you contemplating this line of work, you'll need a pair of pliers in order to extract the nail from the cloth, as well as more than one needle.

So, after three hours of hard labor I have succeeded in completing the installation of only one of four nylon reinforcements.

I'm thinking that maybe tomorrow morning I'll break out the DeWALT hammer drill.

J.B. Manley s/v Sea Trac Allied Seawind II #65
DPO s/v Antares Catalina 25 #4849
Association Treasurer 2002 - 2006
Association Bookkeeper 2002 - 2008
Association Quartermaster 2004 - 2008

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2004 : 23:59:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 one of four nylon reinforcements.

I'm thinking that maybe tomorrow morning I'll break out the DeWALT hammer drill.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Super glue revolutionized surgery, I wonder...

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2004 : 06:44:12

Good thought Frank. Cut a finger tip four years ago and it needed "stiches" but the area was so sensitive they couldn't get a needle in to give a shot. I just wouldn't let them stick me

! Eventually they glued it together, the glue held perfectly. I asked why they dont use it all the time and was told, "It doesn't work well in all situations. Especially where there is tight skin." But it worked for me, and I would think would be a possible solution for some sail applications.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2004 : 08:36:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 Super glue revolutionized surgery, I wonder...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
For the clew of a loose-footed main??

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2004 : 09:34:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Eventually they glued it together, the glue held perfectly. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As bizarre as it seems, it sounds like super glue ought to be in the medical kit of every cruiser.

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 17:53:33

In the immutable words of Dexter, boy genius, sucCESS.

Now, on to batten pocket repairs, so I can go sailing next week.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 18:38:22

Good job & well done JB!
Derek

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cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2004 : 21:47:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Antares
 In the immutable words of Dexter, boy genius, sucCESS. Now, on to batten pocket repairs, so I can go sailing next week.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Congrats!! I bet you are going to like the loosefooted main! One day you might want to consider removing the foot rope to allow the foot of the sail to curve more naturally, but it may work fine with it anyway.

If you are going to be using a sewing machine on your batten pockets, try using "ball point" needles in your sewing machine and coat the thread on the bobbin and spool with silicone spray. You can also increase the presser foot pressure by screwing down on the adjustment on most machines. For hand sewing, make sure the thread is well waxed, and spray the hand needle with silicone spray. Used sails really get "tough" to sew through!!!

Good job on the work you showed in the pictures!

Chuck

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