Posted by Dean
on 10/10/2009, 7:22:10, in reply to "Polytarp sails."
I have built a 70 sq. ft. polytarp balanced lug sail for my Jim Michalak Piccup pram. It was a fun project, easy and produced a sail that works incredibly well. I have used it for almost 10 years and still going strong. Each year I consider getting a proper sail and then when I sail boat I realize there isn't a need - this one wokrs great.
I would suggest looking at Jim Michalak's web site, he posts a bi-weekly blog and has also written a couple of books on amateur boat building (I am on the back cover!!!). He has an interesting approach to sail making in that you can introduce shape using darts and rounds on the foot instead of the traditional broadseaming approach. The nice thing about this approach is you don't cut the material, start with a big piece and cut to shape, measure the darts and sew them in. The results are great as indicated above.
You can also get white polytarp material that has UV inhibitors built in; note the actual material is referred to as RPE - reinforced polyethylene.
Have fun and it doesn't cost much and the results will likely exceed your expectations.
176
Message Thread:
« Back to thread