Plugging Poly(ester)

[Tim Diebert]

I found this fellow, Dave Gray, who sells kits for poly sails of all kinds for smaller boats.

I emailed him for some advice on adding reef points to a poly sail and he sent me back a nice long letter with all kinds of advice.

His site is good, have a look. It is great that he took the time to answer my questions...so I am taking the time to plug his work.

http://hometown.aol.com/polysail/HTML/index.htm

He has tips on how he recomends making poly Weekender sails http://hometown.aol.com/polytarp/weekend.htm[/url]

[Tim Diebert]

...oh and for those who are cheap like me and are interested in what Dave Gray had to say about reef points in Poly Mains...behold:

"Tim,

Here's a little different method for putting reef points in polytarp. Reinforce the edges of your sail where you intend your reef tack and reef clew to be located. Also reinforce the sail (both sides) with diamonds of 3" wide vinyl tape (or 2 pieces of 1 1/2" white duct tape to make a 3" diamond) in four evenly distributed locations across your sail along the line that will become your reef foot from the reef tack to clew. Place a strip of 2" wide Industrial Strength Velcro (loop strip) across the face of one side of your sail from reef tack to clew. Place grommets directly through the Velcro at the reef tack and clew and where your four reinforcing diamonds are located. Place your ties through the grommets. Locate the hook strip of Industrial Strength Velcro on your boom.

When you need to reef in a hurry, match up the Velcro strips, then tie in your reef.

You can also use the same technique without the Velcro, but you will need several more reinforcing diamonds across the sail. Place the grommets directly in the middle and through the reinforcing diamonds across your sail and then place your reef ties through the holes and knot on both sides of the grommet. Eventually, the taped on diamonds might start to lose adhesion and you will have to sew them down or use double-faced tape strips behind them that you will replace from time to time.

I personally like the Velcro because you can tie in a reef much faster in times when you can't leave the tiller for long. The Velcro is available through Sam's Club or directly from me for $24 plus shipping and handling for a 20' roll of hook and loop (only size available).

Sorry, I don't sell the 3" vinyl tape separate from the kit unless you've previously ordered a kit. We have it custom made for us much like the NASCAR teams have their own 200 mph tapes custom made. Like the white polytarp, it's unique to our kit and one of the few selling points we have over the stuff you get at Wal-Mart.

On the other hand, you really don't need the tape if you sew the edges. Use the double-faced carpet tape along all edges (Check out the Instructions page on my website) and fold over the edges and stitch them down. If you make a neat cut with sharp shears along the edge of the double faced tape before you fold the edge over, your edges will not need any duct tape or vinyl tape to look good. In fact, I've successfully used sails for a season or so that had only the double-faced tape and the grommets holding the sail edges together. Eventually, though, all tapes lose adhesion and need stitching. That happens even faster in hot climates.

Regards,

Dave Gray"

[Frank Hagan]

Dave is a good guy. I still want to build a genoa out of his white polytarp just to test some concepts I have (and then buy a dacron sail to those dimensions when the polytarp gives up the ghost).

[Johannah]

poly (propylene) I think. Ester's her cousin.

[Tim Diebert]

That is sort of what I am doing with my main Frank. Trying a new shape and rig. If it is an improvement, then I will go sail cloth one day.

[Tim Diebert]

"poly (propylene) I think. Ester's her cousin"

...I always get those mux dipped. DOAH! :silly: