Today I sit at my dining room table designing sails for a cat ketch. Two problems are really bugging me. One is the cost of sailcloth and how can I charge this much! The other is bolt ropes. Should this sail have bolt ropes?
On a big sail I feel really strongly about bolt ropes. The sail is protected and the grommets have something to lean on when under strain. On a HUGE sail like a main I made last year(2300 sq ft) the leech was roped with 3/4 spun Dacron. This sail will last a long time and take a beating. I am a good roper. It is hard to rope a leech so that it doesn't curl or cup or flutter or what have you.
Back to the little sails. I think not. We are going light, flat, and only a 4 oz Dacron. I will put an extra tape on. That being said, the customer may override me and I will have all of this angst for nothing!
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Heidi
Friday, November 17, 2006
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