Making a Polytarp Sail

[nickpullen]

HI Folks.

Here are 2 videos from Utube that show some of the techniques used in creating the OZ polly sail, and other most likely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myRLkYDk4Pk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGEElH-1Kjg

Cheers

[Boatmik]

Good resource Nick. There will be lots of good tips in there ... but the PDR sail is so much simplified it is a different type of beast.

For example they come out of a single piece for the body of the sail .. so no accurate sewing of lots of smaller bits. And simple folded over seams along the edges rather than tabling. A sailmaker would shudder at the liberties we have taken! Many of them believe that the sails cannot work efficiently ... of course a proper sail would be more efficient ... but

But just for people to see this will make them feel comfortable enough to tackle the simpler PDRacer sails.

The most useful tip I have is to keep the double sided tape back far enough from any edges that the stitching will just miss it - otherwise the needle can get a sticky residue with some double sided sailmaker's tape.

MIK

[Theodor]

I have wondered about double-sided tape. In that video, the stuff they use looks pretty thin compared to the stuff you can normally buy in stores. Is there particular brands of sail making double-sided tape, or will any brand work? Is it a temp holding thing before stitching or does it become a permanent fixture? Does sail-making tape a bit stronger or sticker?

Most chandleries I have walked into around here don't seem to have special tape other than gaffer tape. I suspect this is because they just cater for jokers who need to do minor repairs to yachts rather than us boat builders.

Thanks,
Mark

[Boatmik]

Hi Mark,

There is a special sailmaking tape. Probably only needs to be 8mm wide.

Basically there are two types of sailmaking tape.

1/ the wonderful super strong and super expensive tape that can actually hold some modern sails together without stitching - it is about $40/roll

This is not worthwhile for polytarp because it has a thin film applied over the fibres that peels off easily. The tape sticks to that film but can pull it off the woven substrate.

We were really hoping it would work ... a sail without stitching ... perfect ... but that weak film means problems.

However this brings us to

2/ a sailmaker tape that is basically a cheap copy of the above.which sells for around $10. It is not quite reliable for sticking proper sails together but fine for holding them together very nicely while they get sewn up.

Cool! Go with the cheap stuff.

But just keep it far enough back from the sewn edge to make sure the stitching does not need to pass through the tape much.

Best wishes
MIK

[Boatmik]

Suppliers ... some local sailmakers are very helpful and can supply directly. Tarp people.

Product is sometimes called "seamstick". Most of these companies are good for eyelets though Primus (the gas stove people) sell packs of eyelets and the tools in a plastic bag for not much money at all.

Mail order through Sailrite in the USA
http://www.sailrite.com/

Polysail in the USA and mail order
http://polysail.com/

Paskol in Australia, USA, Hong Kong and Israel and mail order
http://www.paskal.com.au/

Duckworks USA and mail order
http://www.duckworksbbs.com/sailmaking.htm

Shand Higson UK and Europe (might need to ask for an agent)
http://www.shandhigson.co.uk/products.php?id=103

Best wishes
Michael