Need sails

[cs]

Finally got back to working on the weekender. The back is better, the weather is better so it is time to start working.

Wanting to check here and see if anyone has a line on some sails. I thought I had a line on some, but someone else took the boat, lock stock and barrel. So now I'm looking.

I'm not going to use a tarp or tyvek, so lets not go there. I might consider using the poly sail as found here.

http://members.aol.com/polysail/HTML/

Any leads would be appreciated it.

Chad

[Dave R1]

Chad, I've got polysails although they were made by someone else several years ago. I don't have any problem with them and if I'd known way back then about the site you linked to, I'd have ordered a kit.

My sails are still in very good shape after a couple of seasons and I don't see why they won't work for quite a few more.

[Barry Pyeatt]

Chad,

You can get a quality set of "Professionally Made" Weekender Sails from the Stevenson's. They are Dacron and very nicely made. They stock them or at least have in the past and still advertise them on their Web Site.

PolySails are White Poly Tarp sail kits. You receive a White Poly Tarp large enough to cut the two sails along with double faced tape, a roll of Vinyl tape, a length of rope to use as a bolt rope around the perimiter of each sail, a 25' tape measure, utility knife, grommets and instructions.

They sell Partial kits which assume that you migbt already have the tape measure and utility knife and access to rope and grommets at your local hardware store.

The kits are easy to use, the sails work as well as any other tarp sail.

Tyvek is also available without the "Tyvek" lettering all over it. It is used commercially for a numbe of outdoor products and items that have wear and tear applied to them. As a sail material it is a little better from a strength factor than thin poly tarp material.

One of the disadvantages in the past to poly tarps was the lack of UV treatment. That has changed and most better quality poly tarps are now UV treated and hold up pretty well to the elements. A set of poly tarp sails will last several seasons with moderate care.

If you have access to a sewing machine, a Sailrite kit for Weekender sails will bring you precut panels which you sew together according to the instructions provided. These sails are Dacron and will hold up as well or better than any poly/tyvek products. Since they are sewn, rather than taped together, they tend to last a bit longer in heavier use. But the kit is relatively expensive.

You can sew up the seams in the Poly Tarp sails and they will hold up better as well. If color is your objection to Poly Tarps, they are available in various weights as well as White and other colors.

[kydocfrog]

DuckWorks also lists a supplier for sail set for Weekender in their online store. Its a great emag to check constantly anyway.

duckworksmagzine. com on the web

DocA

[Barry Pyeatt]

Right here on this site is a page of links to various sailmakers including the kits. Just click on the header "Links" and then on Sails. Or just click on this link to take you directly to the page.

http://www.messing-about.com/links/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=102

With any sailmaker, you will supply the specifications, extra features and the type of sailing you expect to do and they will give you a quote.

Here are the links to the Sailrite kits for Weekender Jib and Main Sail Kits.

Jib: http://secure.sailrite.com/value/Customkititems.asp?CartId={CC87786D-5030-4357-A4A2-19EVERESTD14DDA2DD1}&kc=4147

Main: http://secure.sailrite.com/value/Customkititems.asp?CartId={CC87786D-5030-4357-A4A2-19EVERESTD14DDA2DD1}&kc=4145

As you can see, the Sailrite kits will cost a bit over $400 plus shipping.

Sailrite will also sell you ready to use finished sails to the same specifications and will of course add any features which you might want. But you will pay a bit more for them.

The Stevenson's Weekender Sails are at this link:

http://www.stevensonprojects.com/WkndrSls.html

These will cost about $500 including shipping.

They also include the hanks for attaching the jib to the forestay, leech lines, and all the important things that sails need. Except Reef points. But they can be added to any set of sails without much effort.

If you are looking for a sailmaker that will do a good job for you, and you provide the specifications/measurements to them. There are a couple that are worth looking at for somewhat reasonable pricing.

Rolly Tasker Sails, Made in Thailand with a good reputation and good service world wide. http://www.rollytasker.com/

A good sailmaker and one that I know that has provided good sails and service for several friends of mine on the Eastern Seaboard:

http://www.dabblersails.com/index.html

If you wish to make up your own set using good White Poly Tarps and the instructions from either the Stevenson's or PolySail:

Here are a couple sources for 6 oz. White Poly Tarps or any other colors.

http://www.nbmc.com/tarps/white.html

http://www.tarpsplus.com/ehitetarps.html

http://www.tarpsonline.com/white.asp

For Colored Duct and Riggers Tape

http://www.identi-tape.com/duct.html

[Tim Diebert]

I bought a set from the Stevensons and am very happy with them.

I also bought some of the good quality poly tarp from Dave Gray at Poly Sail and was very impressed with the quality of this stuff vs. lumberyard polytarp. I made a lapper out of it.

[cs]

I was considering the Stevensons sails and for $500 that isn't too bad. I looked at the sailrite kit and for $400 and still having to put it together the Stevesons sails still look better price wise.

The poly sails look like a good comprimsie. At first I only wanted dacron sails, but now I'm thinking about building a melonseed after the weekender and I would just like to get the weekender in the water.

I was hoping somone here might have a line on maybe some used sails made out of dacron.

Chad

[Craig]

No luck on ready built sails Chad. Sara and I sewed our Sailrite sails over a long weekend. As I recall it was about 12 hours for one and 10 or so for the other start to finish. The instructions are first rate as are the materials. They offer excellent telephone tech support if you need it. Everything, and I mean everything, comes in the kit. You just need to have a sewing machine. Quite a fun project too. This is the 5th season on my sails and they are as good as new!