I've been pricing some new canvas for the bimini on my 40.5. One of the estimates was really high, & got me thinking about trying to maks some of this type stuff myself... as I'm just about done building a 18' wooden launch that will need a bimini too. I saw a post about purchasing a sailrite sewing machine & making your tops, etc. How many people have actually made there own biminis dodgers, cockpit screens etc AND been really happy with results? Did you take a class to learn how? Buy a book? -- Craig Coffman craig@the-stedding.org Winds of Change H40.5 OKC, OK
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make your own
I have a sailrite sewing machine and am generally very pleased with the results. I have made a storm jib, a storm trysail, and a small 4 sided sail (for my dinghy) from kits i purchased from sailrite. They are a great company, provide rapid delivery after placing order, and give great technical support. They always call to make sure the order is clear and avoid mistakes. I highly recommend them. I have used the machine to replace zippers on my mainsail cover, and on my dodger as well as assorted canvass repairs.
I have a sailrite sewing machine and am generally very pleased with the results. I have made a storm jib, a storm trysail, and a small 4 sided sail (for my dinghy) from kits i purchased from sailrite. They are a great company, provide rapid delivery after placing order, and give great technical support. They always call to make sure the order is clear and avoid mistakes. I highly recommend them. I have used the machine to replace zippers on my mainsail cover, and on my dodger as well as assorted canvass repairs.
Made my bimini.
From a Sailrite kit. I think they rewrote their instruction manual after several calls from me. It was not difficult but time-consuming. Since we have five months a year to only think about sailing that is not an issue. My one mistake was probably not buying their machine. My Janome can handle eight layers of sunbrella. But the real sail machines have a "walking foot" which is much better when you have an 8'x6' piece in the machine. I simplified the kit by sewing pockets for the tubing instead of using the zippers. The kit was very complete. But I should have gone with stainless, the aluminum is fine for fresh water but we plan to move to salt water. Another option. My latest Sailnet catalog had excellent prices on pre-fab'd bimini's, all in stainless. Less than $1000. for your size. My kit was about $300. Plus labor!
Best part of learning to sew? Do my own sail repairs.
From a Sailrite kit. I think they rewrote their instruction manual after several calls from me. It was not difficult but time-consuming. Since we have five months a year to only think about sailing that is not an issue. My one mistake was probably not buying their machine. My Janome can handle eight layers of sunbrella. But the real sail machines have a "walking foot" which is much better when you have an 8'x6' piece in the machine. I simplified the kit by sewing pockets for the tubing instead of using the zippers. The kit was very complete. But I should have gone with stainless, the aluminum is fine for fresh water but we plan to move to salt water. Another option. My latest Sailnet catalog had excellent prices on pre-fab'd bimini's, all in stainless. Less than $1000. for your size. My kit was about $300. Plus labor!
Best part of learning to sew? Do my own sail repairs.Made my own, too
I just finished making my own mainsail cover and bimini. I used my old (1944 model) belt-driven, heavy-duty singer sewing machine. It worked just fine. I modified the bimini to include a clear acrylic window so I can see the sail. Since you have the old unit, it is easy to use it as a pattern for the new one. Materials: (Sunbrella from a local upholstery store) ran about $130 for the mainsail. Acrylic backed Sunbrella for the bimini ran about $120. I suggest spending the extra $5 to get the matching thread color. It hides the small mistakes. Good luck Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
I just finished making my own mainsail cover and bimini. I used my old (1944 model) belt-driven, heavy-duty singer sewing machine. It worked just fine. I modified the bimini to include a clear acrylic window so I can see the sail. Since you have the old unit, it is easy to use it as a pattern for the new one. Materials: (Sunbrella from a local upholstery store) ran about $130 for the mainsail. Acrylic backed Sunbrella for the bimini ran about $120. I suggest spending the extra $5 to get the matching thread color. It hides the small mistakes. Good luck Jim Cook "Dream Chaser"
Dodger kit
Not sure if of any interest, but found this site where someone made a Dodger from a Sailrite KIt. Pretty detailed. http://www.vsa.cape.com/~bhersey/catalina_27/dodger/dodger.htm
Not sure if of any interest, but found this site where someone made a Dodger from a Sailrite KIt. Pretty detailed. http://www.vsa.cape.com/~bhersey/catalina_27/dodger/dodger.htm
Thanks Ray, just printed. . .
the site you referenced. Really good info for next sewing project. One thing, though. I find a stapler much easier to use than basting tape. You can put four plys together and easily staple them. Just be sure to keep the staples back out of the way of the foot and needle. Wish I had a machine with a "walking foot" though.
the site you referenced. Really good info for next sewing project. One thing, though. I find a stapler much easier to use than basting tape. You can put four plys together and easily staple them. Just be sure to keep the staples back out of the way of the foot and needle. Wish I had a machine with a "walking foot" though.
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