Mainsail Cover

[surekandoo]

Anyone out there ever made their own mainsail cover? I look at the cost of the ones advertised, and think I could perhaps save some money if I made my own. I have an eyeletting punch, closer & eyelets; I have an old Singer sewing machine.

What I don't have is a pattern, or perhaps the "bottle" to undertake the task!

Any bright ideas, suggestions out there??

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[yoda]

I've made my own with very similar kit and it is quite easy if you have a pattern! The shape will depend upon how the mainsail stowes but in essense the bottom of the cover is flat and the shape is drawn on, normally rising at the mast end to accomodate the luff. Provided you allow a bit extra to allow for volume 2 flat but shaped pieces of material joined on the curved seams provide the basis of the cover. I have given up on eyelets and use plastic clips and webbing from B&Q sewn on at intervals along the base. I put a zip on the front but this is not necessary and the same method would do. The Singer is fine but if you can find some extra stron needles it helps with the heavy material (Mum seems to find them somewhere!) Certainly worth the effort and saves a lot of money. Take a look at a few others to get some ideals and ask the owners what they do and don't like.

Yoda


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[Seal_surfer]

This sounds an interesting project.

Has anyone any suggestions as to good sources of apropriate canvas (cotton or acrylic?) and the type & guage of thread to use?

I too have tries using an old domestic Singer straight stitch machine on lighter cloths, but have had problems finding the right thread & needle size/type. This results in the thread binding in either the needle eye or the hole in the cloth. Obviously there are limits to what can be managed with a domestic M/C, but I think it should be possible if there are not too many thickneses of cloth at the corners.

Any canvas experts or good links out there?

Seal Surfer

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[smb]

Try pointnorth.co.uk

I am also in the planning stage of making a mainsail cover, only I intend to convert my existing lazyjacks into a stackpack. These people advertised in the back of one of the mags. Seem to have a good range, and I am awaiting samples of their recomended HD material before buying.

Steve


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[Rabbie]

Ask for a machine needle for leather - its diamond in section - thats the one for best job in canvas.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

C&J marine textiles


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cjmarine.co.uk>http://www.cjmarine.co.uk</A>


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Homepage</A>

 

[kingfisher]

Lazyjacks

Does anyone know how to deal with the lazyjacks. I was thinking about slits at certain points in the cover.

<hr width=100% size=1>Group of people on the pontoon: skipper is the one with the toolbox.
http://sirocco31.tripod.com

 

[DavidTocher]

I used an old dinghy (Laser) cover for the source of material. My trusty Singer worked OK with a new needle and terylene thread.

I used a dozen side lock webbing buckles to fasten the cover under the boom and arround the front of the mast. It is so quick and easy to fasten the cover with cold wet hands.

David

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