Minor sail repairs

[Alfie168]

The slightly elderly mainsail off my Dehler 22 could do with running repairs. 1) A good wash and valet 2) a bit of sewing machine work on the tack 3) new leech line cleat 4) a couple tiny patches.

Its an Elvstrom sail with plenty of life in it for the sort of sailing I do, but who would do this sort of work without costing the earth ?. I'm in Lincolnshire, so it would have to travel or be 'posted'.

Tim (bit mad as some scrote has stolen the winch off my boat trailer) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[lw395]

You could wash it yourself, get it on a patio or similar and give it a good scrub and hose down. I've had quotes for wasing sails, it always seems a lot!
Surely there is a sail loft near you? Much better to take it in and show them what you want done. Look for any smallish loft, even a 'dinghy' loft shoud do what you need, I've always found repair costs very reasonable, compared to getting my car fixed!
Trouble is our local places are bulging with work this time of year, otherwise I would recommend Flew Sails in Portchester, Hampshire, who did a few repairs for me, for a good price and good quality work. But delivery etc will impact the price horribly.
Just looked on Yell.com, it seems there are none near you.
Noble Marine suggests:www.noblemarine.co.uk/repairers.php3?club=Grimsby+And+Cleethorpes+Yacht+Club
Hope that helps a bit!
Some sailmakers run collection/dropoff to marinas etc.

 

[Alfie168]

Thanks for that. In the Noble Marine directory link there is a sail repairer just 30 miles away in Alford, and I had no idea he was there, so I'l give him a ring.

SWMBO has valiantly offered to risk her precious Bernina sewing machine. She's pretty good with it as well, but I'd never forgive myself if it broke under the strain of two or three layers of dacron...though she assures me it would cope, I'd rather not risk it.

Tim

 

[maxi77]

I have done some minor repairs with a domestic machine, works ok, but you need the needles for jeans to handle the cloth.

 

[lw395]

I use a Jones machine bought secondhand for cover work, including making my own sailcover from scratch. It will just about deal with 4 layers of PVC etc, at a seam, or putting webbing on for fastenings. I wouldn't go near the heavily reinforced bits of a main with it. My wife's Bernina is good for spinnakers only! If you are as inept as I am, take care of breaking needles with heavy canvas!

 

[MoodySabre]

My local sail loft washes and checks over for £30. Small repairs done for minimal charge. W Sails of Leigh-on-Sea