Hey Lads,
Speedline Textiles have some seconds 150cm 500D SOLUTION DYED POLYESTER FR PU COATED. It's seconds because the backing is comes off easily, but they're selling it at $2.00 a linear meter.
Two questions,
1. how do you reckon this would compare to Blue poly tarp as a sail material?
2. If it is suitable for a sail material, and I have to buy a large amount, is there anyone interested?
I'm not sure at this stage if I'm able to get any of this stuff. I've contacted them and they said they'd have a look if they had any small rolls.
Here's the link : http://www.speedlinetextiles.com.au/Specials.htm
I can't comment on the specific fabric you mentioned, but I will comment on Blue or Green tarp material... Made some sails years ago from that fabric, strong enough BUT the sun softened the outer layer which bubbled and then delaminated also there was a blue dust that filled the sewing machine.
Mind you Blue tarp is often used as sails for fishing boats in SE Asia.
Land Yacht sails are actually very small compared to water yacht sails and for the very small cost even getting "proper" sailcloth wouldn't be that high.
Tyvek has been used to make sails, I have a roll which I want to try on some radical design sails.
Recycled sails are still the cheapest way to go for now.
what are you using... even scaffold tube flexes
what are you using... even scaffold tube flexes
What are you looking for Squish man??? I believe lots of people use masts like that. Paul has designed them as well. Soft ones flex heavily. Look at Sunday Drive. That is a 100% CF Gastra Mast off a Speed Surfer. It is very good for starters as it winds up like a Spring and releases the energy back to the wheels at a more manageable power but it makes it harder to accelerate really quickly and takes longer to get up to top speed. Like I said earlier you have to work out you want and looking at other Alloy masts I would think you'd get the curve you need as it is spread over the length of the mast . If Blue Tarps take it and they are crap material then you should be able to get away with it.
Ron
Sigh, I don't know.
I just know that with the old sail I had, which was a cut down windsurf sail it was a struggle to keep it on three wheels and I think a large part of that was the sail. I just thought I'd have better luck making one myself as I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine, and given the sails are almost flat it can't be that hard.
Maybe I should get it going first. Then make up my mind, just at the moment I've got lots of thinken time, not much doin time.
squishy.
My 12 meter windsurfing sail is showing wear after 6000 miles of dirt and ice. It is now about 30% patch. 500 and 1000 denier Cordura of various colors, some coated (easier to clean), some not. I get it for about $7/yard on ebay. I sandwich the torn Mylar between two layers of the fabric using lots of contact cement. No question about toughness. I've yet had to patch a patch, but it's a good idea not to match the outside layers too closely. This can result in new tear at the edge of the patch. I've seen one layer used but it's pretty ugly on the Mylar side.
Thanks for the info too. If you have pictures of your rigs, please start a new thread; we'd love to see them
