A new sail for Bugsy

  • 29 May 2023 15:39
    Reply # 13207745 on 13202628
    Alex wrote:

    [...]I would welcome advice on what cloth and webbing to use bearing in mind the boat is a day sailer and although 15 knots of breeze will be common around here, to be out in 25 knots would be unlikely. [...]

    Hello Alex,

    I have been very happy with the WeatherMAX 65 (Sometimes called WeatherMAX LT) that I used for my sail. It weighs 6.5 oz per square yard compared to the 8.0 oz of the 'normal' WeatherMAX that other JRA members have used.

    I ordered it from Seattle Fabrics. 

    Assuming I followed all the links correctly then I think it should be available from Contender Sailcloth in Australia.

    I have not used the heavier WeatherMAX but I have to assume the WM 6.5 is much easier to sew. The two sides of the fabric are identical as far as I can tell and I can't imagine the fabric would be too light for a JR sail of any size.

    I am less confident that I picked the best webbing and other sail materials, but I really like this fabric. I would like to see someone else use it and confirm that it is a good choice.

    Last modified: 30 May 2023 02:22 | Anonymous member
  • 29 May 2023 09:57
    Reply # 13207674 on 13202628
    Anonymous wrote:I would welcome advice on what cloth and webbing to use 


    I don't suppose this'll be a popular comment, but I think good old Dacron sailcloth is a good choice for making sails from. As a junk sail, it lasts a very long time and can be patched without major issue...
  • 29 May 2023 04:12
    Reply # 13207641 on 13202628

    I'm sorry that nobody has replied to you earlier: most unlike the JRA!

    Choosing light, UV-resistant canvas isn't that easy, and it's not made any better by the fact that so few boats are out in strong sunlight for any lenght of time.  I've been happy with my Weathermax up to now (2+ years), although an acquaintance complained that his had deteriorated badly in the Tropics.  There is a lighterweight Weathermax available.

    As to webbing.Don't be tempted by polypropylene which deteriorates very rapidly in sunshine - and isn't particularly strong.  The black, polyester webbing that most sailmakers use lasts for years.  I have always found sailmakers incredibly obliging people and if you go to the one nearest to you, I'm sure they will order you a reel of webbing so that you know you're getting the right stuff.

    Hopefully, with this reply taking the topic back up to the top, someone else will chip in.

  • 17 May 2023 08:52
    Message # 13202628

    I launched my little boat, a Farr 500 with a homemade JR in 2020 and it was featured in issue 83of JRM. After a hectic couple of moving to another town, renovating and some sailing I have decided to make a cambered sail. While I would love to order a beautiful professionally made sail and have it arrive from NZ, the economics do not align with my scruffy little craft. Added to the fact that reselling the boat will be problematic. I feel as if I have the only JR yacht in Western Australia. Even so I have have nothing but positive comments from members of the yacht club where it is parked.

    I intend to make a cambered sail using Arnes brilliant mine of information. Because I will use the same pattern and spars and sheets I will have a head start. I would welcome advice on what cloth and webbing to use bearing in mind the boat is a day sailer and although 15 knots of breeze will be common around here, to be out in 25 knots would be unlikely. I’m quite happy with my flat sail although lack of power and pointing ability in the light breezes is trying, especially when sailing with other yachts. The other problem with my present sail is its lack of UV resistance having been made of a light canvas from the local fabric shop. So apart from some doubt as to my sewing ability I would hate to put the project at risk by choosing the wrong materials.


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