Sailrite Sewing Machine

Removable sides and aft section give a lot of practice at sewing on zips. One hint - Sew the zips on so that the jingly zip puller bit stays on the removable panel, and is not left on the top section where it would jingle in the wind :)
 
Removable sides and aft section give a lot of practice at sewing on zips. One hint - Sew the zips on so that the jingly zip puller bit stays on the removable panel, and is not left on the top section where it would jingle in the wind :)
I asked Hurricane the same question, would you be happy to replace all zips with Velcro? (H prefers zips)
 
Velcro wouldn't take the tension. Zips every time. 10mm.

The only places I've used velcro recently were for small covers for the end of zips to stop the zip puller jingling around and for the cover flap on a new MOB throwing strop holder ( another sewing project made with the orange acrylic canvas that Point North currently have in their sale)..

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Very impressive, Martin.
Yes, I agree with you about the zips.
@Bouba Don't worry - zips can be really easy.
Like a lot of things, I've developed my own way of doing zips.
I watched all the Sailrite videos on zips and decided on a variant of my own.
When you are ready, I will explain how I do it - a really simple process.
I keep lots Velcro in my "ammunition store" and I do use it where it works.

The Princess supplied cockpit covers have Velcro flaps covering the zips.
Like this (these are the Princess supplied covers)
DSC_0019.resized.JPG

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When I made my first set of covers, I copied the Princess design.
But now I use a much simpler method if zipping - I've shown this photo before - sorry I don't have any other pics yet.

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But I do have this one - a similar zip design - this one is a new dinghy cover - the zip allows me to get into the tender when the cover is fitted.
I always forget to turn the battery isolator switch off - so this should make it easier.
I made the zip onto some strips of fabric and then cut/sewed the sub assembly into the cover.
Just thought that might be a useful addition.

20201112_163430.resized.jpg
 
Do you use paper templates?
For the bimini cover I simply cut the pieces with ~ 2" oversize on each edge then stitched them at sharpee drawn lines.

For the sofa I used the original cover and simply overlaid the new cloth and ran the machine stitching along each original stitch line. Was a bit fiddly but the end result was worth it and still like new ~ 5 years later.
 
Very impressive, Martin.
Yes, I agree with you about the zips.
@Bouba Don't worry - zips can be really easy.
Like a lot of things, I've developed my own way of doing zips.
I watched all the Sailrite videos on zips and decided on a variant of my own.
When you are ready, I will explain how I do it - a really simple process.
I keep lots Velcro in my "ammunition store" and I do use it where it works.

The Princess supplied cockpit covers have Velcro flaps covering the zips.
Like this (these are the Princess supplied covers)
View attachment 111144

slightly OT, Mike, how does the cover "seal" towards the side decks going to the bow?
I've been thinking for like 4yrs now to replace the crappy old side canvas covers of the aft deck (already scrapped the aft facing ones) but I always get stuck on this detail.
Mind mine hasn't got an overhang reaching the aft deck so f/b deck is rather narrower than the sides making a steeper angle difficult to sort.

V.
 
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When will you start taking orders? I could become your dealer for Greece if you are planning to expand ;)
I just organized a table and workshop in my basement, and I’m about to watch a video on how to wind a bobbin. So any day now I will be ready to take you up on your offer?
 
I just organized a table and workshop in my basement, and I’m about to watch a video on how to wind a bobbin. So any day now I will be ready to take you up on your offer?

Great! I'd want a to become a shareholder if you go public on the stock exchange though:cool:
 
slightly OT, Mike, how does the cover "seal" towards the side decks going to the bow?
I've been thinking for like 4yrs now to replace the crappy old side canvas covers of the aft deck (already scrapped the aft facing ones) but I always get stuck on this detail.
Mind mine hasn't got an overhang reaching the aft deck so f/b deck is rather narrower than the sides making a steeper angle difficult to sort.

V.
Not exactly sure what you are asking.
Maybe these pics help

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20190812_192058.resized.jpg

These covers were my first attempt made from the cheap fabric.
Looking back at them, I think I could do a better job now.
I've since made another set (this time from the Princess PVC fabric) but I haven't fitted them yet.
 
yes, that's exactly what I was looking for!
so turns and buttons to the superstructure "sealing" from winds coming from the bows.
The problem is that I need something to keep the sun out during the day when the boat is in use. I guess you remove it as long as the boat is in use and it's a storing solution.
Something like this with the smallish f/b overhang wont really work on mine. Still need to devise a way to "extending" the overhang on the sides and aft before getting some sort of cover coming down.
And it has to be retractable, match the boat lines, etc etc... Will wait for another year me thinks :)
 
yes, that's exactly what I was looking for!
so turns and buttons to the superstructure "sealing" from winds coming from the bows.
The problem is that I need something to keep the sun out during the day when the boat is in use. I guess you remove it as long as the boat is in use and it's a storing solution.
Something like this with the smallish f/b overhang wont really work on mine. Still need to devise a way to "extending" the overhang on the sides and aft before getting some sort of cover coming down.
And it has to be retractable, match the boat lines, etc etc... Will wait for another year me thinks :)
How about something like this then.
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Dead easy to fit - it just slides into the same tracks as the cockpit cover.
Provides good shade and some privacy.

Actually, I have just made a replacement using a fine mesh instead of the lightweight fabric.
 
Yes, planning to do one like that but because overhang is smaller, I'll get a retracting piece of ss to guide and keep this piece of fabric away from the head/back of anyone sitting on the aft deck aft bench.
keep in mind my boat is only 43ft and aft deck space is not that much so have to cover from sun left right and center especially at lunch/early afternoon swim stops on anchor (no rope back to the rocks) so boat moving around bringing sun in from all directions...
 
Thar she blows!


After traveling the ocean for thousands of miles she has beached herself on my sewing table.
She’s actually a bit of a tiddler, I was expecting far bigger. Mind you she’s very heavy!
Lots of instructions to read??‍♂️??‍♂️
 
Oh yes, heavier than a heavy thing. My biggest fear is failing to latch the case properly and dropping it on my foot.

Which reminds me - a very small suggestion: mark the front edge of the lid. If it's the same as mine (and it might not be... the box looks very slightly different) the lid looks symmetrical but only goes on one way. Before I put a sticky label on, I would always try the wrong way first and then find it wouldn't fit. Or sometimes I'd try the right way, convince myself it didn't fit, turn round until it was the wrong way, find it still didn't fit, swear, then turn it back the correct way. Think USB connection!
 
Oh yes, heavier than a heavy thing. My biggest fear is failing to latch the case properly and dropping it on my foot.

Which reminds me - a very small suggestion: mark the front edge of the lid. If it's the same as mine (and it might not be... the box looks very slightly different) the lid looks symmetrical but only goes on one way. Before I put a sticky label on, I would always try the wrong way first and then find it wouldn't fit. Or sometimes I'd try the right way, convince myself it didn't fit, turn round until it was the wrong way, find it still didn't fit, swear, then turn it back the correct way. Think USB connection!
Good advice. The closures on the ends of the lid are the most complex device I’ve ever seen!
To be honest, after the initial excitement of opening the package I’m a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of parts. So I stopped for lunch and coffee and will regroup and put it all together
 
Well get to it. I'm quite excited to see how you get on with this monster ?
She’s assembled!

But that was not easy, so that’s it for now. When I’m recovered I’ll watch a few gentle introductory videos. Tomorrow is a busy day but hopefully by the evening I’ll have it sewing ?????
 
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