Posted by Michel on 10/4/2009, 13:34:58

Looks like lots of small boats sailors are making their own sails with polytarps. Anybody has experience on that subject?

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Posted by Jamie on 10/6/2009, 21:42:28, in reply to "Polytarp sails."

I've used a Tyvek sail on my 12'6" Harry Bryan Daisy the last 4 years. It looks great, works great, advertises the local lumber yard,and cost me one roll of Duct Tape. I prefer the Tyvek to poly tarps because they are lighter, easier to roll up, cut easier,I don't know I could go on, but it's a great and simple way to experiment with different sail types and sizes.

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Posted by Michel on 10/7/2009, 15:07:43, in reply to "Re: Polytarp sails."

I have to admit that I could pass on the local lumber yard advertisement!

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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.

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Posted by Michel on 10/18/2009, 12:20:14, in reply to "Re: Polytarp sails."

Your answers are encouraging. I will definitively make myself a new working jib and a small mizzen for my boat. (I intend to make a yawl of my boat! )

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Posted by Sam on 10/21/2009, 4:30:02, in reply to "Re: Polytarp sails."

What adhesives work well with Polytarp? Single and or double-sided tapes - Brand names that work "better"? Any recommendations (or "don't even THINK about using "x"!) Thanks.

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