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BriRich · 05-05-2013, 05:03

I've recently purchased a new main and genoa. The old genoa is pretty much toast but I am wondering what the dacron material could be used for such as a sun awning.

Any ideas for recycling? I'm most interested to see if anyone has made an awning out of old sails.

Thanks

Brian

**Jim Cate** · 05-05-2013, 08:10

One problem is that sails have three dimensional shape built in. This means that you can't stretch them out and have them flat. Might be a problem with flapping when used as an awning. You could unpick the seams and restitch without the broadseaming that gives the sail its shape, but that would be a bitch of a job!

I did see some simple carry bags made of old sail material being offered at a chandlery in Hobart. They were quite simple, quite sturdy and ridiculously expensive!

Cheers,

Jim

senormechanico · 05-05-2013, 08:13

You can make cool wallets and purses.

LeaseOnLife · 05-05-2013, 08:20

shower curtain

**JPA Cate** · 05-05-2013, 14:06

Sometimes people want sails for race boats to use on delivery runs, might be able to sell it for a small amount.

You could cut it up and make hatch dodgers (which also shade them) out of smaller bits of it. Liferaft cover. The problem, of course, is that it will be already somewhat UV-degraded. So, wouldn't use it where longevity was a real factor.

However, if you go to really off the beaten path sorts of places, I'd offer it to the natives and stand back and be amazed at all the uses they find for it!

BriRich · 06-05-2013, 00:38

Thanks for the responses.

David_Old_Jersey · 06-05-2013, 01:06

Last year I recycled a sail into a couple of bags (simple ones! - for holding some hose pipe and a coil of extention cable) and also as a temporary cockpit cover.........and then my freebie domestic sewing machine broke (3 layers might have been a bit too much!).

On the internet have seen them made into bags and wallets (not cheap though) and IIRC even sun awnings (for back garden). Could probably also make cushion covers out of them. I think also one or 2 places take them off your hands, but possibly only as donations.......

daddle · 06-05-2013, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

However, if you go to really off the beaten path sorts of places, I'd offer it to the natives and stand back and be amazed at all the uses they find for it!

When I gave away my old Kevlar race main to some filipino kids I told them it was made of *gold*. Their pa may have the fanciest Banka roof in the bay now, who knows? Old sails are definitely valuable to the islanders, even if thaey are not actually made of gold.

**atoll** · 06-05-2013, 02:44

their is a company that makes designer clothing,ie jackets out of used sails in the uk........very trendy for the upwardly mobile yellow wellie brigade!

Sailcloth Jackets ~ Quba & Co.

**boatman61** · 06-05-2013, 03:03

Great for resoling your favourite 20yr old deck shoes..

**Jim Cate** · 06-05-2013, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddle

When I gave away my old Kevlar race main to some filipino kids I told them it was made of *gold*. Their pa may have the fanciest Banka roof in the bay now, who knows? Old sails are definitely valuable to the islanders, even if thaey are not actually made of gold.

That's funny -- my sailmaker told me my new main was made of Hydranet, and I thought it was gold from the price... or considering the color, perhaps platinum.

Cheers,

Jim

**JPA Cate** · 06-05-2013, 09:24

Another thought: I bet it'd make great tool rolls, too.

Crimea Cruiser · 06-05-2013, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

However, if you go to really off the beaten path sorts of places, I'd offer it to the natives and stand back and be amazed at all the uses they find for it!

And probably the most rewarding!