Shoestring Sailors (Cruising on $500 per month - part II)

[s/v Beth]

Jennifer- this is a huge topic. I would suggest "The Sailmakers Apprentice". I ordered my off Amazon- it is worth its weight in gold. You can probably stitch your sail with only basic tools, and the book will show you how.

[sailorchic34]

Being frugal I might use dental floss. Sailmakers supply (on line) as supplies, etc too..

[savoir]

These guys sell everything you could possibly want including books.

Sailrite.com | Home

[s/v Beth]

I like Amazon because they sell used. (currently it is 11.80 USD) You can also get it on the Kindle. I know, its only a little money. I do buy from Sailrite too. Good people to work with.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Jengordon

Can smeone please shed some light on sail repair? I have a sail with a clean seam rip, and am planning to attempt to repair it myself. If my sewing machine holds up, that is. Anyway, can someone give me advice about what type of thread to use? Also, what type of stitch is best?

Thanks so much,
Jennifer, S/V Northern Passage, Alaska

these guys should be able to supply sail thread,i use v92 polyester that is uv resistant.
zig zag is best,for a seam repair clean all loose threads,pull the seam tight,and use double sided sticky tape,or pin every 4 inches so as to not get the material bunching up at the end.
for best results hand stich the first line using the same holes in the damaged section.

Welcome to Bainbridge International

[bobconnie]

Everything Atoll said except I would hand stich the whole thing as I have no machine to use. But with a palm and pins and polyester thread, you can fix most any sail, along a seam is a good place to learn because you have a great pattern to work with !! If ya had to make a patch or reinforce a seam it's a little harder but doable, with your machine if heavy enough you should be able to repair most any damaged or worn sail you will have !! Have fun ! sail and line work has always been almost fun for me over the years !!LOL

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I will disagree with the flipflops. I think they are very poor VFM and as such they do not belong here. Even worse, wearing flipflops may lead to the shoestring sailor being taken for a middle class walking wallet on vacation, thus increasing the unwelcome cost and expense.

I would suggest proper light all-leather shoes. However, these again will immediately be interpreted as an upper class rentier walking wallet that may aggrevate the budget situation even more.

Really, no answer to this issue. Bare feet romantic, but you will get them worms sooner or better.

Eh, poor cruiser, why didn't you stay at home ;-)

b.

"walking wallet on vacation!"""" thats rich! LOL

[callmecrazy]

You can get good dacron thread in the form of 'braid' fishing line. get the cheapest stuff on ebay. comes in various breaking strengths and colors, and usually has some sort of protective coatings on it that make it quite slippery and well suited for sail repair.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

You can get good dacron thread in the form of 'braid' fishing line. get the cheapest stuff on ebay. comes in various breaking strengths and colors, and usually has some sort of protective coatings on it that make it quite slippery and well suited for sail repair.

fine for hand stitching,but tends to bunch up on the tensioner and needle on machines.

a good test for thread is ,with your thumb and fore finger twist it against the weave,
if the individual threads open up it is no good for a machine,

if the threads stay together and forms loops without opening up it should work fine on a machine.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by atoll

fine for hand stitching,but tends to bunch up on the tensioner and needle on machines.

a good test for thread is ,with your thumb and fore finger twist it against the weave,
if the individual threads open up it is no good for a machine,

if the threads stay together and forms loops without opening up it should work fine on a machine.

I've never tried to use it in a machine, but I've never had fishing braid come open when twisting as you've descrived (done it many times). Its generally heavily coated with stuff to keep it slippery, which lends to keeping the fibers stuck together. But you're right, test it...

[Jengordon]

THank you, all for so much great, practical advice. I feel empowered! Will try the machine first, then go to hand-sewing with your encouragement if needed.

One follow-up question before I get started: We temporarily repaired the rip with sail repair tape. Should I sew OVER the tape, or remove it?

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Jengordon

THank you, all for so much great, practical advice. I feel empowered! Will try the machine first, then go to hand-sewing with your encouragement if needed.

One follow-up question before I get started: We temporarily repaired the rip with sail repair tape. Should I sew OVER the tape, or remove it?

best to take the tape off and any loose threads,done properly it should be hard to tell the sail has been repaired.
use acetone to remove any glue residue.

[David_Old_Jersey]

At the risk of a derail ........

Week 1 of my low budget liveaboard adventure is drawing to a close ......and I am still onshore .

I blame the Gubberment .

That, and some idjut , who decided that the finish on the saloon bulkhead just wasn't good enough (used to be foam backed vinyl - now paint, a lot of prep work went into that )....I could have left as is, but just couldn't , especially as would be looking at 24/7.....and done now, before panels go back, means job is a lot easier than doing later......another couple of days?!

In addition my aft cabin is having some work done , despite me having already decided that it was good enough and that a long term improvement of creating a double berth was something to sort out later (especially as a) I have no need for a double at present and b) will be using the aft cabin as only a walk in locker).............Anyway, one of the bunksides (non structural) has moved 1/2 an inch .....oh how simple that sounds! Still lots of finishing off to do (albeit mostly stuff that could wait).....but done now, before Aft Cabin fills up with stores / crap means job is a lot easier than doing later.........another couple of days?!

In practice what the above has meant is that my varnishing of the washboards / hatches (and refitting) has been delayed - and although we are the warmest place in the British Isles, still a bit too chilly for open air living of a nightime - at least at this time of year.

Top tip on a boat refurb - keep a tight rein on any OCD .

[atoll]

equation for boat repair projects;
it allways takes 3 times longer than you thought,and costs twice as much..!

[chall]

Originally Posted by atoll

equation for boat repair projects;
it allways takes 3 times longer than you thought,and costs twice as much..!

Only twice as much???
We use the rule of 3's.
3 times longer, 3 times the cost........and while doing one project you always find another 3 things in need of urgent repair