Need non-sailmaker sail repair in Alameda

bestfriend · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Need to have the suncover sewn back on my jib. Anyone know of someone, like an auto upholsterer, that will stitch up a sail? Doyle is way too expensive.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Talk to your local yatch clubs... they may know of a local canvas person that is reasonably priced.

GeorgeB · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Be careful about who you go to. You want to use UV stabilized Dacron thread which probably isn’t used much in the automotive industry. I know a guy who’s entire sail cover fell apart because of “improper” threads. If you are looking for economical, don’t go to Doyle. Instead, go to Rooster Sails at the end of Atlantic on Alameda Is. (he shares the building with UK and Hanson). Rooster has the best hourly rates this side of the old Precision Sewing in Palo Alto.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

The best thread for this type of work is the gore-tex based thread, which is much more resistant to UV breakdown. Also, triple stitching is a nice touch.

bestfriend · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Be careful about who you go to. You want to use UV stabilized Dacron thread which probably isn’t used much in the automotive industry. I know a guy who’s entire sail cover fell apart because of “improper” threads. If you are looking for economical, don’t go to Doyle. Instead, go to Rooster Sails at the end of Atlantic on Alameda Is. (he shares the building with UK and Hanson). Rooster has the best hourly rates this side of the old Precision Sewing in Palo Alto.

Thanks George, I just talked to a friend who also recommended Rooster. i am on my way over now.
Thanks Dog.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Glad to help. BTW, the gore-tex based thread I'm thinking of is called Tenara, which IIRC is the name brand.

sailhog · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

BF,
The leech blew out on my jib this spring, and I took it to the sailmaker to see if it could be re-sewn. It's a fairly old sail, and I assumed it was trashed. According to him it's actually in pretty good condition. What would make it really durable was the application of sacrificial cloth, which it didn't have. It's $400, but it should last 4-5 seasons. What I'm trying to say is that a non-marine upholstery outfit wouldn't have been able to do this. At least I wouldn't think so.

bestfriend · #8 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

$160 bucks to re-stitch the entire cover at Rooster. Not bad at all, especially for here. Talked to the owner, nice man, he said the phone stopped ringing last week. A combination of the season and the oil spill. Someday I will invest in a machine and learn to do it all myself, but right now, I am just too busy.

BTW the owners name is Rui Luis, Portugese?? He sounded like Giu.

sailhog · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestfriend

BTW the owners name is Rui Luis, Portugese?? He sounded like Giu.

Maybe it was Giu. Did he have a hot wife?

Fstbttms · #10 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailhog

Maybe it was Giu. Did he have a hot wife?

I know Rui and I've seen pix of Giu. Rui is not Giu. Maybe two of Giu.