Sailrite Sails

[LConrad]

Just an FYI, I bought a new main kit from Sailrite and did the sewing. It is loose foot with two full battens. The instructions were very complete and the sail works well. You will need a rather large work surface, but the finished product is good. Definite performance improvement over the original sail. Even finished second in our regatta for boats with PHRF > 200.

[MacGyver]

What sewing machine do you use? and is it zig zag?

My wife and I were going to do our own sails sometime, and am still thinking hard about it since I could make the sails on my garage floor. Very slick and flat, and clean when I keep it that way, LOL

Mac

[capt_nemo]

Jason,

Unless you plan to sew through several layers of heavy sailcloth a regular sewing machine can do a nice job in sewing sails.

I've made seven sails out of polytarp (3.3 oz & 5.0 oz) and ripstop Nylon with my wife's old Viking Sewing machine using both straight and zig zag stitching depending on where and what I'm sewing on the sail.

Designing and sewing your own sails can be challenging, fun, and very satisfying indeed!

Here I am hard at work on a gaff headed Nylon main'sl for my Com Pac Sun Cat.



And here is the finished product drawing nicely in just a zephyr.



Try it - as a DIY'er you'll like it!

capt_nemo

[LConrad]

I used the Sailrite Zig Zag. Made a temporary table with two sheets of plywood. The sailcloth was pretty stiff. Do as much of the battens, reef points, and patches as you can. Also, the videos really help. I was pretty nervous about doing this, but am pleased, and a little proud, of the results.

I have also used a homemade "sled" that runs on rollers designed to be infeed and outfeed supports for my wood plane. The rollers and the garage floor did a nice job for my winter cover made of Top Gun fabric.

[LConrad]

Just another update that I really like the new Sailrite main. Much better boat speed. A little better pointing. It definitely shows up when racing.

[MacGyver]

 

Good deal, I am pondering the same investment for our boat. Might have just nudged me on over

Mac

[LConrad]

Looking back at a previous post, there was an incomplete thought. Do as much of reef points, battens, etc as you can BEFORE FINAL ASSEMBLY.

Most likely, any new sail would have helped. Sewing the Sailrite was a fun challenge, and it is rewarding to sail what you sew.

[MacGyver]

Did it go together really well? easily?

Mac

[LConrad]

It was easy to understand how everything fit together. Instructions, cutting, and marking were all great. The sail fabric is pretty stiff, so you need a large work surface about flush with the sewing machine. A small work surface like a dining room table might get frustrating for final assembly. The Sailrite zig zag macine handled even the thickest patches with ease.