i bought 3 munted sails for $15.They were described as "chewed" which as can be seen in the pics they certainly appeared to be.The ones pictured are the same model Neil Pyde 6 sq meter.The yellow one is too far gone for rescue so I plan to harvest bits off it for the pink one.
I'm thinking about making a small high wind sail out of two
Now that I have acquired a sewing machine and very helpful advice via this forum, I am about to remodel these sails.They are 6 meter which I intend to reduce to 3.5 m for strong wind days (or maybe until I acquire more confidence and experience - a bit like trainer wheels on a kid's bike).
The sails are identical except for colour.The yellow one is stuffed.The only damage to the pink one is a small section on the leach and the luff pocket .The plan is to harvest the yellow sail section as shown in the photo and sew it into the pink one.Similarly I will cut out the good bits of the yellow luff pocket and redeploy them in the pinky.
My question is whether I should lay the whole yellow one on top of the pink one and sew it thereby doubling its thickness ,or cut out the same section from the pink one and replace it with the yellow one.If I do the double up option,should I tape the raw chewed edges of the pink one to the one underneath? All advice gratefully received as always
I suppose you'd better replace the pink one by the yellow part. Don't forget to use double sided tape when you replace it. This is the way sailmakers repair windsurfsails.
When you double the part the sail will become stiffer and heavier and maybe it won't react properly.
I have made a start on this project finally.I unpicked the chewed up part of the pink sail and the unchewed bits of the yellow one.
These unpick tools make quick work of demolishing seams
What was left of the pink upper section I used as a pattern to make its replacement
And I used double sides sticky tape to fit the replacement panel chewed out by the mad dog
I recut the foot allowing for a 50mm high point for a curve which I got by using a thin batten
This is now stuck in place using the sticky tape ready for sewing.The edging strip will be sewn on after the reinforcing panels have been added to the foot and clew
This last pic shows the rebuilt top section ready to be sewn .I am finding the mylar a real challenge for my sewing machine .Any suggestions?
Select to expand quotetryhard said..
This last pic shows the rebuilt top section ready to be sewn .I am finding the mylar a real challenge for my sewing machine .Any suggestions?
just learn to sew slow and steady. I often dont try to sew throuh some of the thick stuff ,and go back and handsew some bits.
your doing really well so far
I did as much as I could on my sewing machine but the Mylar was too much for it.I took the sail to a local guy who makes covers and he sewed up the parts I couldn't using a walking foot machine which he was happy to show me in use.Here is the finished article
The existing boom is a tad too short so I will need to get on to the extension.The sail is cammed as can be seen is these pics.
Since these pics are taken on my back lawn,I have no idea how the sail will work in sailing conditions.Will the cams flick over to the correct side of the mast when required?
Wow that's a lot of great work. Good stuff.
The mast pocket looks very straight to me, without much of a curve to take some mast flex.
If the pocket matches the mast curve and with the right amount of down haul on the front of the sail the cambers usually swap sides well.
The mast pocket is unchanged from original so I guess it should behave as originally designed.
