Sailrite sails?

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moreobviousthings@reddit

I have not done it. But I used to have a similar sized boat. And I have a Sailrite machine. And I have made a few things following their very good videos. And I recently watched a video about sewing a spinnaker for my 32' boat. So enough about me. If you have a Sailrite or similar machine capable of doing the job, given that you are curious about such an endeavor, I would counsel you to go for it. At worst, you will spend a few bucks for a not-great sail. But you could do the same by buying a used sail. But you would not have the experience of crafting one yourself. Build a sail for your 16 ft boat so that you will better relate to the sail on your future bigger boat. As said by Lin and Larry Pardey: "Go small, go simple, go now."

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reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

> And I have a Sailrite machine. I'm so sorry. Those machines are GARBAGE. I was a sailmaker at a loft that had sailwrong machines - they just aren't good. Unreliable.

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moreobviousthings@reddit

>They still have the tony hook attached to a shitty, torsion-loaded shaft with set screws and jump time if you put anything thicker than 6oz cloth thru them. I have sewn through more than 4 layers of 9oz cloth easily. Maybe your machine was worn or not set up properly.  >Whenever I see someone talking about sailrite and their machines, I feel obligated to tell them not to buy them, and why. But no such obligation to name your preferred machine, nor its retail price. Sailrite machines are clearly not intended for full-time professional sailmaker use, but they fill a need which no other vendor seems interested in.

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reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

> Maybe your machine was worn or not set up properly. Hyperbole is a thing. My preferred machine is a Singer, no model number specified. It's also less than the sailwrong. I don't know why you'd go out of your way to defend them - they're a shit company making a living of selling shit products to people who don't know better. Have you worked in a sail loft, making sails every day with their machines? I have. I didn't come to this conclusion because the name "sailrite" offends me, mate...

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Friendly-Growth1903@reddit

I don’t get the super small, but overly vocal community that sees it as their job to get on this forum and crap all over sailrite for not being “good enough” for their personal standards. It’s a decent machine that has done a ton of promotion and education to introduce a reasonably challenging craft. But, cool post.

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Dubbinchris@reddit

I’d love to hear a recommendation for a better but still somewhat portable machine that does zigzag. I have a singer 111W155 and it’s definitely not portable, nor does it have reverse or zigzag. I’ve made a lot of things with it, but it’s lack of features are getting tiresome.

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EnderDragoon@reddit

Or remotely in the same ballpark for price and can be operated manually (without electrical supply) and is designed for the marine environment (humidity/moisture).

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hilomania@reddit

I, and most other people that own Sailrites that I know, would deeply disagree with you. I am not a professional canvas worker sailmaker by any means, but in the past decade my sailrite has created 2 sail sets for home build sailing canoes, Various canvas work on a Cape Dory Typhoon, Cape Dory 27 and a Catalina 35. Currently doing work on a small trimaran. This machine has always delivered. As mentioned I am not a professional, so I do not know what other, better machinery is available. But this one does all I need to do and does that well. That seems to be the going opinion on this machine.

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moreobviousthings@reddit

Cool. Give me a better one and I'll check it out. Meanwhile, I'll work with what I have.

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senorpoop@reddit

> As said by Lin and Larry Pardey: "Go small, go simple, go now." Absolutely fantastic words to go by.

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reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

If they're the same quality as the rest of their products, I wouldn't waste my time or effort.

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48north@reddit (OP)

Thanks everyone!

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flyhull@reddit

Yes, actually did at the founder's (Jim's) house when he was still a college prof. Also bought one that he had made from him used. Very doable and you will end up with a really nice sail. Took me about 36 hours for a 36 sq ft jib using his Pfaff.

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jonnohb@reddit

Never done it but I would say go for it. Some day I'll convince my wife we need an industrial sewing machine.

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LameBMX@reddit

a sailrite is far from an industrial machine like a juki. a ton more power and options... and 0's on the price tag. that said.. room and an industrial machine is your own business becoming income becoming something to sell and sail the world.

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vulkoriscoming@reddit

I have sewn 6 small sails (160 ft2 was the largest). It is not that hard and allows you to make some fun rigs. Get "The Sailmaker's Apprentice" by Emilio something. The hard part is finding room for laying the sail out out and sewing it. Put the machine on a quilting table or the floor for bigger sails. The 160 square foot sail (gaff rig sail) was about as large as I would do. If you have not decided on a rig, consider a balance lug. Having made and sailed a balanced lug rig, i have no idea why it is not a super popular rig on trailerable sailboats. You can leave the sail on the yards. So when you get to the wster you attach the yards the halyard and downhaul, haul away, and you are sailing The risk of making your own sails is that pretty soon you will be doing lots of other canvas work as well

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TheGreatAndMightyNeb@reddit

Do it! I've probably built a dozen or maybe 18 of their sails. I've been totally happy with all but the one I miss measured. It used to be a more significant savings than it is now but it still worthwhile. Particularly for a small boat.

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17 Comments

moreobviousthings@reddit

reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

moreobviousthings@reddit

reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

Friendly-Growth1903@reddit

Dubbinchris@reddit

EnderDragoon@reddit

hilomania@reddit

moreobviousthings@reddit

senorpoop@reddit

reflUX_cAtalyst@reddit

48north@reddit (OP)

flyhull@reddit

jonnohb@reddit

LameBMX@reddit

vulkoriscoming@reddit

TheGreatAndMightyNeb@reddit