Sewing Projects!

On S\V Imagine we try our best to keep her ready to travel, and we  have succeeded at that goal.  The other is to be as self sufficient as possible on fixing or improving our boat.  There are some things that are beyond our technical realm so we hope our other skills have a barter value in the future.

The canvas on Imagine is slowly giving out, and we have acquired a sailrite machine to tackle the job.   I have ZERO experience in sewing, however Carol was 1982 FHA sewing with cotton winner for the state of Louisiana. Plus her mother who owns a quilt shop, teaches sewing did an outstanding job teaching this skill to her daughter.  It is a art that is fading away with a lot of the younger generation.  The Sailrite videos are AWESOME!  We followed the steps and really had to make only a few alterations and we are happy with the outcome.  Our next job will be the bimini, then the dodger.


This is Carol measuring and marking the layout of the sailpack. (we discovered the cleaning crew has not mopped that floor since the floor was put it from the dirt we found on our yellow sailpack.)

We are lucky to have a club house at the marina with tables and large open areas to take on large projects away from the boat.   This weekend was a very nasty weather forecast of wind of 25 + mph for 3 days. Followed by some substantial rain. Galveston Bay was full from the south winds keeping the water in along with some unusual high tides, I knew once the rain hit, Houston was in for trouble.  They got over 10 inches, major flooding, and 5 deaths.


This is the Sailrite we purchased used for a fair price.  During the sewing we discovered we really need a new tension assembly, so we used her Janome machine also.  The difference in power is hard to describe.  Her Janome is a very well made machine that is considered on the high end of machines.  

Carol's longest zipper to date just at 17 feet long!  The secret to a good canvas project is the double sided tape is a must.  No PINS! Stick and Sew.  

After we got the sailpack to a certain point we had to take it to the boat and do a test fit. The winds were blowing at 20 + mph, and very carefully made our adjustment and measurements needs to finish the project.  Of course I nearly fell in twice from the sailpack pushing against me while holding it.


THE FINISHED PROJECT!

Well almost, I want to add in access to be able to reef the sail without having to drop the sailpack.
We have a couple of minor adjustments to make, but for the most part it is done.  Yea I know it is bright!  I can find my boat really fast now!  Before oh its the white sailboat with a blue bimini. 




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