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Old 31-03-2015, 06:11   #1
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Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

I am having new lee cloths made for my boat. The old ones are far too short.

All the lee cloths I have ever had or used have been made out of cotton duck. Is there any particular reason why that cloth is used? It attracts damp and is subject to mildew. I have the remains of a blown-out sail which I thought I might use instead of cotton -- any reason not to?
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Old 31-03-2015, 06:14   #2
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

I'll be watching this, I would think sailcloth almost ideal, except maybe it's a little harder to fold and put away. But, it's not stretchy and it's plenty strong
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Old 31-03-2015, 06:27   #3
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

Dacron allergy? Hideous burns in a fire? I dunno, maybe you're over-thinking this.
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Old 31-03-2015, 06:28   #4
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

Mine is made of ripstop nylon: Blue Performance Lee Cloth - Bunk Safety Guard.

If I was making a new one I think old sail cloth would be ideal.
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Old 31-03-2015, 06:48   #5
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead View Post
I am having new lee cloths made for my boat. The old ones are far too short.

All the lee cloths I have ever had or used have been made out of cotton duck. Is there any particular reason why that cloth is used? It attracts damp and is subject to mildew. I have the remains of a blown-out sail which I thought I might use instead of cotton -- any reason not to?
I had our lee-cloths made of the plastic coated mesh often used on the underside of cushions with 3" wide nylon webbing sewn around the edges. The advantage of the mesh is that it does not absorb moisture and does allow air circulation which is particularly valuable when sailing in hot weather. Unlike some, our lee cloths are supported at the top at either end with web straps passed through small pad-eyes bolted to the bulkheads on either end of the berths. The straps are fastened together with bayonet clips that one simply squeezes to release, allowing on to free oneself from the berth quickly and easily. We do not use a mid-point support as the end connections allow the lee-cloths to function in the manner of a suspended hammock when a sleepers body rests against them. We have found these to be very functional and comfortable.

FWIW...
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Old 31-03-2015, 07:24   #6
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

I did exactly that on our last boat.
Old blown out main used as lee cloths.
We sewed a cord in the bottom edge of the lee cloth and bolted it under the fiddles that held the seat cushions in place (see pic.). They worked well, strong, no stretch, easily tucked under the cushions for storage.

We used the rest of the sail to make other things like some big bags to turn our V berth into a pantry for longer passages.

Cheers,
JM
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Old 31-03-2015, 07:37   #7
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

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Originally Posted by NahanniV View Post
I did exactly that on our last boat.
Old blown out main used as lee cloths.
We sewed a cord in the bottom edge of the lee cloth and bolted it under the fiddles that held the seat cushions in place (see pic.). They worked well, strong, no stretch, easily tucked under the cushions for storage.

We used the rest of the sail to make other things like some big bags to turn our V berth into a pantry for longer passages.

Cheers,
JM
Old sails for bags and lee-cloths should do quite well, I would think, using this method. And part of a big sail number or no-longer-applicable logo would look very fitting.

I'm not sure I would use a main, however, as you'd probably want to pick out the batten pockets and other patchwork as it would be lumpy under a settee cushion. A nice retired jib, on the other hand...
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Old 31-03-2015, 07:52   #8
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

I had some custom made out of Sunbrella. The straps have grommets for attaching to the frame of the settee, under the cushions. A nice feature is the bag which snaps onto the lee cloth for holding your watch gear (inflatable vest, tether, flashlight, etc). The bag is made of Textilene, which is an open-weave fabric that allows any moisture on your gear to escape.
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Old 31-03-2015, 08:21   #9
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

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Originally Posted by Hud3 View Post
I had some custom made out of Sunbrella. The straps have grommets for attaching to the frame of the settee, under the cushions. A nice feature is the bag which snaps onto the lee cloth for holding your watch gear (inflatable vest, tether, flashlight, etc). The bag is made of Textilene, which is an open-weave fabric that allows any moisture on your gear to escape.
.
Nice job...
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Old 31-03-2015, 08:35   #10
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

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Originally Posted by svHyLyte View Post
I had our lee-cloths made of the plastic coated mesh often used on the underside of cushions...
This is the best I have used.

Avoid using too many tie-downs--unnecessary, and just makes it hard to get in and out.
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Old 31-03-2015, 09:31   #11
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

We used lifeline netting, been there for 20 years now, tied at the ends thru a small hole at the end of the bunk, doesn't take up any room underneath bunk, doesn't get mouldy, very comfortable.
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Old 31-03-2015, 10:14   #12
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dockhead View Post
I am having new lee cloths made for my boat. The old ones are far too short.

All the lee cloths I have ever had or used have been made out of cotton duck. Is there any particular reason why that cloth is used? It attracts damp and is subject to mildew. I have the remains of a blown-out sail which I thought I might use instead of cotton -- any reason not to?
Tom Cunliffe's book, "Hand, Reef, and Steer" discloses a lot about sail cloths and why they are used. So much information, I cannot quote it off the top of my head. It's a book you should have in your personal library.

However, I have no idea what a Lee Cloth is.


I'd like to know
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Old 31-03-2015, 10:57   #13
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

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Originally Posted by steve1944 View Post
Tom Cunliffe's book, "Hand, Reef, and Steer" discloses a lot about sail cloths and why they are used. So much information, I cannot quote it off the top of my head. It's a book you should have in your personal library.

However, I have no idea what a Lee Cloth is.


I'd like to know
A lee cloth is used to keep you from falling out of your bunk while at sea. It's kind of like a crib for sailors...
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Old 31-03-2015, 11:07   #14
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

Sailrite have instructions on making lee cloths, and they recommend a vinyl mesh fabric, Phifertex :

http://www.sailrite.com/easearch#!&e...20vinyl%20mesh

Plenty of choice of colours.
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Old 31-03-2015, 11:07   #15
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Re: Sailcloth for Lee Cloths?

I reckon at least one central tie-off is required to make it useful when one is sleeping on what is known in sailor talk as the 'high side' as that is where the greatest load is.... in my case at least
The one of those nearest my head and the one at the head are made off at the leecloth with slip knots to aid ingress and egress.

What are mine made off? Dunno but made by Ratsey and Thingamabob 28 years ago and still going strong.
Tan in colour, they don't show stains and marks and general grubbyness in the way that white ones would.
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