Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: chromedome on November 24, 2006, 04:57:42 pm

Title: Dacron
Post by: chromedome on November 24, 2006, 04:57:42 pm

  I got  sample of Dacron ..is this normal stuff for sails these days...its feel more like a thin bit                                                                                                     ?
 of plastic ....not like cloth at all....i want it for a yacht i want to renovate?

   chromedome

Title: Re: Dacron
Post by: JayDee on November 24, 2006, 05:42:53 pm

Hello,
It is plastic!, Dacron is used for the sails on racing boats, can also be used on scale or semi scale boats, but to my eyes it does not look right.
I think ordinary Cotton Sheeting, from the local Market looks better, the Sails on my Schooner are made from Cotton.
If you make your sails from Cotton, shrink the cloth FIRST, soak the cloth, hang it out to dry, do this about 3 times, then cut and make the sails, OR your sails will shrink on the model !!!!.
John.  :D

Title: Re: Dacron
Post by: chromedome on November 24, 2006, 07:18:37 pm

:-\ I wonder why it is much dearer to have them made in Cotton then?...cheers John.

chromedome

Title: Re: Dacron
Post by: JayDee on November 24, 2006, 10:25:30 pm

Hello,
Dacron sails are just cut out to size, no need to make a Hem on the edges.
Cotton sails are more like dressmaking, with Hem's on the sail edges to stop the Cotton from fraying.
A source of good Custom Made sails is from      http://www.housemartinsails.co.uk.
Give Martin the exact sizes of your sails and he will make them for you, various cloths etc, reasonable prices, have a look !.
John.  ;)

Title: Re: Dacron
Post by: chromedome on November 25, 2006, 10:12:10 am

HI John....thanks for that,but I have gone to Nylet.I sent them the old sail as a template.


chromedome