Conference unifix::sailing

    I think you will get better work done if you go where the sailors
    are.  That means north shore, south shore, or Narrangansett Bay
    around here. I know there are one or 2 dealers of sailboats around
    Worcester (the one on rt 20 in Shrewsbury recommended a decent welding
    shop to me) but I have a hard time believing that without competition
    the work or prices would be right.
    
    By the way I have used Kolius in E. Greenwich RI, for repairs and
    was pleased.
    
    Walt

    I had my 18' daysailer sails made at: Wilson & Silsby
    					  12 Atlantic Av
    					  Marblehead, MA 01945
    					  631-4008
    Good job and reasonable in 1978.
    
    I had a head repaired by:		  Sperry Sails
    					  11 Hiller St.
    					  Marion, MA.
    					  748-2581
    Good job and will go back to them for reshaping my main.
    
    Close to Northboro, but I never used them:  Yardarm Sailmakers
    						925 Webster St.
    						Needham, MA
    						444-7060

    If it's just a batten pocket with stitching loose, why not try to
    stitch it yourself as a temporary repair and then after the season
    send it off to a sail loft for perminent repair.  The type of thread
    I use is a heavy white dacron and a good strong needle both available
    from a general sewing shop.  If you're going to get into sailing,
    you'ld best know how to make many types of temporary repairs.  You'ld
    be suprised at what "you" can do.
    
    P.S.  Pick up a good leather palm (works like a thimble).
    
    Lee

Okay, 
     I like the idea of fixing the sail myself. I had resigned to looking
for a sailmaker because I thought finding the supplies to do the work would 
be difficult. I'm not sure where to find a general sewing store. I looked 
around last night and I couldn't find Dacron thread anywhere. I thought the 
only place I could find such repair supplies would be at a sailmaker. Since
I have to make that drive I might as well bring the sail, get it fixed and
pick up supplies for future repair. If anyone knows where I can find these 
supplies locally I would very much appreciate it. I would like to get some 
more sailing in before it's too cold to swim. I'm not to hot on sailing 
without the baton but if that's the only way I can get out for the next 
couple of weekends I just may have to do that. I haven't given up looking 
yet, but, if someone here could give me a lead I would like to get it 
done as soon as possible.
     				Thanks for the help
     						Geoff
     P.S. Local is Marlboro Worcester area.

Sailmaking thread comes is several different weights and is normally 
sold in 8 oz spools costing $15 - $25. Other than sailmakers, the only 
places I know of to buy sailmaking thread are mail order suppliers.

My significant other has a sailmaker's sewing machine that is capable of 
sewing 10 or so layers of 8 oz sail cloth. If you just want a little 
restitching done by a very cheap semi-skilled amateur, let me know. New 
Morning Sailmakers is in Carlisle.

    Bliss carries traditional tools-of-the-trade for sail and general
    canvas maintainance. Last I saw they had a couple weights of Dacron
    thread, both waxed and unwaxed.
    
    Walt

Thanks,
     I'm quite anxious to go sailing this weekend, what I did was use 
the remaining thread and thread it through the holes from the original 
stitches. I had just enough thread to close up the open area. I don't 
know how long it will hold, but I think if I went sailing today it would 
hold. I would like to reinforce the stitches and some one suggested, get this,
dental floss. I laughed and blew it off when I first heard it, but the more
I think about it the better it sounds. I just haven't figured out whether
to use waxed or unwaxed.:-) I think the reason I was so against it at first
was because I wasn't going to use my dental floss to fix a sail. When I thought
of buying some specifically for the sail it has started to sound a lot more 
attractive. So, what do you people think of this idea of using floss, is 
it really out there or does it make sense. I really can't see anything about
it that would be negative. Is there any reason that it might not be a good 
idea. Would there be a difference in using waxed or unwaxed and what would
that difference be.

     			"Now my sails are billowin'
     			The winds so willin'
     			I'm good as gone again" 
  				^
     				|_____GD if you didn't know
     						Geoff  
  

    What is dental floss composed of ?  probably nylon, huh?
    I know it is straight layed, as opposed to twist or braid, which means 
    its lower stretch/recovery and weak abrasion characteristics would not 
    match well when used in an area requiring flexibility, maybe around a 
    batten pocket chafe and strech are not a problem.
    
    I would use a waxed variety, because it is easier to handle (same
    is true of the regular dacron sail/canvas thread, wax or waxing
    makes it easier to handle).
    
    Walt

    I owned a 470 last year, #474, 1974 vintage. It was a great boat,
    really fast. That was part of the problem as I purchased it as a
    "family" daysailor ( it was a deal I couldn't pass up ). Don't know
    that any info I could provide on sail repair would help as I'm in
    New Jersey. Just glad to hear of someone enjoying their 470.
    
    Good Sailin'
    
    Tom
    
    

    Yeah, I love the boat I was just out this afternoon. I didn't think
    I'd see or here about one younger than mine, I have #529. I'd guess
    it was just a little younger. However, Somehow the papers I have
    suggest that it's a '73. There are definitly some draw backs if
    you want to sail with any more than 2 people. On the other hand, I 
    have a hard time finding someone to crew for me. In a good wind I 
    need someone elses weight to help me make use of the wind. Today was 
    a realy good day to sail alone. There was a nice steady breeze, 
    temperature was about 54�, the wind was just right for my weight 
    and it never realy died. The wind worked well and the baton pocket
    didn't show any signs of falling apart again.
    
    			I'm glad to here that another one exists,
    			even though you speak in past tense.
    						Gotta go
    						Geoff
    

    RE: .10
    	Oopps, I mean your boat is older. Slip of the keyboard.

    I have a Genoa that is quite old.  From the point of view of the
    stitching etc. it is in good shape, from the point of view of the shape
    it is in bad shape.
    
    Rather than go buy a brand new one I wonder if it might be likely to
    get it "re-furb'd" and what the likley cost/benefit of that approach
    would be Vs. buying a new one ?
    
    As an aside, does anyone know if there would be any advantage to buying
    a Sail in Hong Kong Vs. Canada/Us ? I know someone that would be going
    through HK soon and could ask them to go to a loft there for me ?

    A sail that looks good to you may be beat in the eyes os a sailmaker. 
    The stitching my be good, but the maretial my be weakened so much that
    it wont hold for long any new shape he puts into it.  Still, we've
    extended the life of our sails a season or two by having them recut
    when they get tired.  Expect to hear the "no guarantees" plea from the
    sailmaker.
    
    I looked into new sails from HK when I was going there a lot.  Unless
    you expect to need zero service once back here, it isn't that great of
    a deal.
    
    Dave