Alajuela 38
I looked around for a harness for my outboard motor. After reading several negative reviews and speaking with a friend who was disappointed with his purchase, I decided to make my own. The main problem with the existing harnesses is they are “universal”, and so do not fit a particular motor very well. I sewed a custom harness for my Yamaha F6 in about 30 minutes. It probably cost $2 in material, saving me over $50.
I bought a used asymmetric spinnaker for $300, about 10% of what a new one costs. A large rip in the sail had been repaired with sail tape, but I decided to replace the ripped panel. I started by cutting out the panel along the seam.
I removed the residue from the tape using this 3M product … it worked perfectly.
I then used the cut out panel as a template to mark the new fabric with chalk. One of the straight edges of the new 1.5 oz nylon fabric was attached to one of the edges of the sail using double-sided basting tape, then the other side was attached with basting tape using the chalk outline as a guide. The panel was sewn on using a zig-zag stitch with UV-resistant polyester V-69 thread and a Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ machine (on the table in the background).
Once a single set of stitches were applied, the extra material was cut away and a second set of stitches were applies. A few other holes were also patched.
While the sail is not perfect, I will use it to decided if an asymmetric spinnaker is my preferred downwind solution. If it is, I will order another spinnaker and keep this one as a backup.
I sewed a bag to facilitate deployment of the spinnaker and its sock. I have a turtle bag, but it is threadbare and had to be replaced. The new bag has a 24″ diameter stainless steel hoop sewn into the opening and the top has an elastic band for closing. The bag also has two clips that can be attached to the lifeline.
I have been struggling with ideas for storing my folding Dahon Mariner D8 bicycle. Eventually, I decided it is best to store it below deck (to avoid corrosion and thievery), but I wanted something to protect it and its surroundings. Most generic folding bicycle cases as simply too big and bulky, so I sewed my own. The case consists of two layers of Sunbrella material in-between which is quilted 1/4″ closed-cell foam. Most of the case was sewn with a Sailrite LSZ-1, but one of the sides and the zippers has to be stitched on by hand using a Speedy Stitcher.
I am preparing to install a Simrad TP32 Tiller Pilot. I have read that the lifetime of the autopilot can be expanded markedly by keeping it covered, so I sewed a cover. It has a piece of vinyl that allows access to the control buttons and it is held on with a piece of velcro.
The sand-in-PVC worked so well for the butterfly hatch, I used the same trick today to sew a cover for the forward hatch.
I sewed a cover for the butterfly hatch today. An unique aspect is the one-inch PVC filled with sand that weighs down the edges, making it unnecessary to cinch down the cover.
On a roll today. After sewing covers for the teak handrails this morning, I sewed covers for the teak dorado boxes for the for the ventilation cowls. They were harder than they look as the deck is sloped in two directions.
We completed new covers for the teak handrails today. Snaps were used to attach them.
We completed a Sailrite Sail Pack Kit.this is the largest project we have sewed date. Fortunately, the roof of the rental was large enough to stage the project.
Having a portable sewing machine was particularly helpful during the final stages of completing the project, for example, sewing the batten pockets closed.
The sail pack was installed and held up with a lazy jack system.
The sail pack was constructed according to the directions provided by Sailrite with the exception that the PVC battens were replaced with fiberglass tubes. The challenge in using fiberglass is shipping, This problem was overcome by using the Max-Gain System (MGS). The MDS 3/4″ round tubing is 93″ long and has an i.d. of 1/2″. The tubing is connected using solid 1/2″ fiberglass rod using J-B Weld.
The lazy jack was purchased from Nautos and comprises of blocks and 12-strand polyester rope. After installing the system, we decided it will likely be temporary, and it will eventually be replaced with low-friction rings and Dyneema. After using/tuning the existing lazy jack system for awhile, it will be disassembled and used as a template for the Dyneema system.