DIY sail bag

A while back, I got a 1970s era industrial sewing machine for free, and the first thing I tried to do was to make trampolines for my AI. My sewing skills were not impressive, but the trampolines seem sturdy, although I have not had a chance to try them out, as I just got the required buckles yesterday. Along with the buckles, I got some fabric that can be used for sail bags.

So, this morning, I made a sail bag from scratch. For me at least, it's rare that any project goes exactly according to plan, yet this was just such a case--if anything, it actually went better than planned. The quality of the stitching is good, and it almost looks like it was professionally done (if I do say so myself...).

The first picture shows the bag inside-out after sewing it together, the second picture is right-side out, and the third is with a sail in it (the bag is a bit large for that sail). Not only does the bag seem to be at least as sturdy as those that Hobie sells, but I can make 4 or more of them for the price of 1 Hobie bag.

Very nice 👍

Very nice 👍

+1

Very cool - you are always building something interesting!

What kind of fabric did you use, and where did you purchase it?  I've got a number of small projects in mind that should use some heavy duty waterproof nylon fabric.

Very cool. Are you going to start sewing sails next? 

…….I have sewing machine envy.   

I started looking at used Sailrite machines last year but ultimately decided against getting one.  Fast forward to today and I need furniture covers and some minor upholstery work on the boats.  Damn little birds on the delta make a freakin mess of everything. I’ll
Probably be in the market soon.

Very cool - you are always building something interesting!

What kind of fabric did you use, and where did you purchase it?  I've got a number of small projects in mind that should use some heavy duty waterproof nylon fabric.

This is the fabric that I used. I've ordered a few things from Sailrite and highly recommend them:

https://www.sailrite.com/Cordura-Classic-1000D-Sunflower-Yellow-60-Fabric

Very cool. Are you going to start sewing sails next? 

That's the next project! I've got orange 4 oz dacron, and I want to experiment with a lightweight jib. The jib that I use now seems way too heavy, and not quite the optimal shape...

…….I have sewing machine envy.   

I started looking at used Sailrite machines last year but ultimately decided against getting one.  Fast forward to today and I need furniture covers and some minor upholstery work on the boats.  Damn little birds on the delta make a freakin mess of everything. I’ll
Probably be in the market soon.

Sailrite is definitely the top of the heap, but they don't come cheap. For everything except high-performance sails, you can probably get by with straight stitching, as opposed to the 4-point zigzag that a Sailrite will do.

You might check Craigslist. I got my machine for free, and figured it would only be useful as a boat anchor, but this guy got it working like new:

https://www.industrialsewingmachinerepair.com/

Have you try tyvek as material?  I made a jig with tyvek and it’s ok, I sail with it twice.  Not sure on durability. 

Very cool. Are you going to start sewing sails next? 

That's the next project! I've got orange 4 oz dacron, and I want to experiment with a lightweight jib. The jib that I use now seems way too heavy, and not quite the optimal shape...

Have you try tyvek as material?  I made a jig with tyvek and it’s ok, I sail with it twice.  Not sure on durability. 

That's an interesting idea. Searching online, it looks like there was some interest in tyvek sails about 20 years ago, but that it never seemed to catch on. They do say it's very noisy, which would annoy me a lot. But, it would be a cheap and easy way to experiment with different sail designs, and I actually have a small role of it leftover from a house project...

Very cool - you are always building something interesting!

What kind of fabric did you use, and where did you purchase it?  I've got a number of small projects in mind that should use some heavy duty waterproof nylon fabric.

This is the fabric that I used. I've ordered a few things from Sailrite and highly recommend them:

https://www.sailrite.com/Cordura-Classic-1000D-Sunflower-Yellow-60-Fabric

Thanks for this!