I've had outrageous quotes to do the 3 clears on my dodger. Has anyone done this as a DIY? Was it difficult? Which type of PVC did you use?
Chees, Graeme
Hi Graeme
I replaced mine I have alot of sewing experience it was a little tricky and time consuming
I used a product called regalite from bainbridge still good after 3 years so far
I followed the sailrite video for tips on how to best do it link bellow
Select to expand quotewongaga said..
I've had outrageous quotes to do the 3 clears on my dodger. Has anyone done this as a DIY? Was it difficult? Which type of PVC did you use?
Chees, Graeme
I would give it a crack myself, currently having a go at making a new bimini top, did the patterning Sunday morning. All going well I plan to do new covers all round.
I bought a Sailmate off Qld sewing when I bought the boat, already paid for itself with a stack pack/boom bag. I bought an unused one off sail exchange on special and modified to suit my boat.
qldsewingmachines.com.au/product/s-p20z-9/
I've done all my own maintenance except for canvas repairs. But after a $600 quote to replace the three clears in my dodger, I've decided to get an industrial sewing machine and do it myself. There are plenty on Gumtree for not much coin. The hardest part will be the "sewing 101" lessons from my wife.
Cheers, Graeme
I replaced a panel on a windsurf sail recently for the first time, probably the hardest panel to do on a windsurf sail as it was the big window on a large cammed sail that incorporated the clew and lots of shape.
I laid it flat and used seam stick to stick the replacement monofilm over the existing window, cut off the excess material then used strips of sticky back dacron around the edges to secure the assembly further before taking it the machine. Sewed it all up and then flipped it over and cut out the old window and threw it away. That process made the patterning very easy.
It rigged well with correct the shape and the cams rotated the battens around the mast correctly, the result was better than expected. Its given me the confidence to attempt a bimini top now.
