Old sail threads ripped, can I fix it myself effectively?

[tommays]

A lot of sails are sewn with blue thread and i think it looks pretty nice

If your getting lose bottom stitches you should be able to crank up the bobbin tension until there tight OR i would NOT use it to sew a sail

Without a walking foot it will take a whole lot more skill to keep the stitch looking nice

 

[kloudie1]

Scott.. have ya checked out the used sail market? These guys have some stuff that you may be able to get for about the same price re-furbishing yours.. I have no connection with the companies..
http://www.minneysyachtsurplus.com/
Another place with a pretty good reputation:
http://www.baconsails.com/
http://www.boatersresaleshopoftexas.com/

 

[Hermit Scott]

tommays-I don't see anyway to set the bobbin tension. It's a singer. It looks like if I could tighten the bobbin tension that it would work fine. It works well with one layer of nylonstrap. But as the layers increase the slack in the bottom does as well.

 

[caguy]

If the bottom stitches are loose then I would think that you need to tighten the tension on the upper thread instead. Otherwise as the needle backs through it won't pull the bottom thread tight. What size needle are you using? If your machine can't handle it most seamstresses have decent industrial machines and only charge about $10/hr.

 

[Ross]

look for a small screw on the bobbin case that holds a small flat spring. toghten that a quarter turn at a time.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Ross-I just bought a camera but I returned it because the shutter speed was extremely slow. So I can't take a picture.
I took out the case that the bobbin goes in. The thread loops through it and goes in between two pieces of metal. There are 2 screws on the side that appear to compress the thread. That has to be the bobbin tension. I will try it and see what happens.
I have tried the top tension in all positions to no avail.
Thanks for the links kloudie, but I am more interested in increasing my capabilities in sailboat systems right now than I am in having a nice boat. This boat is all about learning about fixing/modifyiing boats and learning how to sail boats and take care of them.