Thanks, Eric. Let us know when you get back from the bottom of the globe. I have a few more questions, but I don't want to waste your valuable time or mess up Max's thread.

I'm very curious how long time the 3M 927 tape Eric used lasted. If it's truly strong and durable, it could speed up sail construction significantly.

In my sail, double-sided tape from the supermarket no longer holds at all, but I was still able to use the sail without any problems because, after sewing the darts on the leech and luff,the grommets and string on the fabric folds along the panel were strong enough to hold the panel along the batten despite the darts were unglued along the panel.

I think Maxime might use grommets to attach the Tyvek sail along the batten, which would make it easier to replace a damaged panel while sailing (see picture)

Maxime, it would be a good idea to carefully reinforce the darts on the leech and luff of each panel. First of all, they come loose most quickly on the leech, and this certainly doesn't improve performance when sailing upwind ;)

You have to buy a full roll, but not expensive.  Also has other uses.  I put as a liner on bunk cushions to keep the foam dry. 

Do you mean this material (fabric?)? Isn't it too noisy (minute 1:37 of the video)? How will the sail behave after a few reefings/drops?

I'm also planning to sew a new sail (with a larger camber), but I think it'll be ripstop or bluetarp again. I'm interested in a good glue/double-sided tape for these materials. The tape I used to glue the sail (regular double-sided tape from a DIY store) started peeling after a dozen or so uses (I only sail during the day and always carry the sail in my car). This small bluetarp sail (after zigzag stitching at the glue points) lasted two seasons, but I'd like to sew/glue a new one with a larger camber.

Regards - Jan

Anonymous wrote:

Mark writes:  would have though sewing is no more time consuming to glueing, especially if Arne easy methods are used.

It's not that easy to sew, I found. My first sail had a couple of tyvek panels, just as an experiement. It is extremely light and soft, and it is not a woven fabric. A more experienced person might be able to get things adjusted right, but I was a beginner and found it troublesome, compared with polyester cloth. I would be interested in Eric's response to that. I thought of using glue, at the time - even the double sided tape - but I never did, so I can't comment on that.

I thought it was very interesting material, possibly with potential, but I don't think I will be using it again. Also, I swapped the tyvec panels out after a few months, so I can't comment on durability, but I suspect it will not be very durable. Again, I await Eric's comments with interest.

(You have to be really careful with the hot knife on that stuff too. It melts and disppears in an instant the moment you put a hot knife near it).