Hi John,
Good catch, good advice: cruisers are often impressively ingenious in their efforts to improve their boat, but too often the wish to spend the least amount of money transcends common sense. I am always initially wary when a cruiser introduces an idea with a comment on how little it cost (implying that is the more or the most important consideration).
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Thanks for the link. A good article, I think. The only criticism I could come up with is that he sourced sail cloth that is heavily impregnated with stiffening resin. Real world testing seems to shown that softer Dacron is less susceptible to fatigue from the cones opening and closing, which the tend to do on every wave cycle.
That said, since he is also binding the cones and went so heavy on the cloth, I’m guessing it will be fine for normal use, although maybe not for a Southern Ocean passage.
Terence Thatcher
November 28, 2022 3:08 pm
Hope you will write a letter to GOB with these thoughts.
No, I won’t be doing that. If I took on correcting every bad idea in the mags I would have no time left to do my job here for you members who pay my salary.
Drew Frye
November 30, 2022 12:23 am
I’ve never even kept cloth from a used sail even for for patches. When I’m done with them the fabric is suspect, to say the least.
Michele Del monaco
November 30, 2022 7:01 am
Wow, just yesterday evening was dreaming of reusing my old mainsail for that. Avoiding this mistake is worth the entire subscription
Hi John,
Good catch, good advice: cruisers are often impressively ingenious in their efforts to improve their boat, but too often the wish to spend the least amount of money transcends common sense. I am always initially wary when a cruiser introduces an idea with a comment on how little it cost (implying that is the more or the most important consideration).
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi Dick,
I totally agree, and get the same uneasy feeling at the same time you do. In fact I wrote at length on this very thing: https://www.morganscloud.com/2015/07/19/boat-maintenance-dont-go-broke-saving-money/
An interesting insight into building one’s own JSD by an experienced sailor who used NEW 7.8 oz. dacron sailcloth for the cones: https://tbeetle.wordpress.com/2019/12/13/jordan-series-drogue-mostly-built/
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the link. A good article, I think. The only criticism I could come up with is that he sourced sail cloth that is heavily impregnated with stiffening resin. Real world testing seems to shown that softer Dacron is less susceptible to fatigue from the cones opening and closing, which the tend to do on every wave cycle.
That said, since he is also binding the cones and went so heavy on the cloth, I’m guessing it will be fine for normal use, although maybe not for a Southern Ocean passage.
Hope you will write a letter to GOB with these thoughts.
Hi Terence,
No, I won’t be doing that. If I took on correcting every bad idea in the mags I would have no time left to do my job here for you members who pay my salary.
I’ve never even kept cloth from a used sail even for for patches. When I’m done with them the fabric is suspect, to say the least.
Wow, just yesterday evening was dreaming of reusing my old mainsail for that. Avoiding this mistake is worth the entire subscription
Hi Michele,
That’s good to hear, thank you!