2022. New Year. New Sail. New sail part 1.

 In the light winds of the Chesapeake Bay summer, we'd like to sail more - motor less. For that, we need a bigger sail.  A BIG DRIFTER!

We have a spinnaker, but that can only be used going downwind. A big jib drifter can be used going upwind and other angles.

Dave measured for a 150% jib kit, cut as a drifter from SailRite ( www.sailrite.com ) (A 150% means it covers the full triangle from the jib furler to the mast, plus half the "J" measurement going back to a winch. Here is link to all the basic measurements of a ketch or yawl:  https://www.northsails.com/sailing/en/2020/02/sail-plan-dimensions-north-sails 

Dave is going to sew it himself! (I'll try a few stitches too)

One of the hardest decisions was picking the color! We looked to the internet for inspiration and Justice's personality. Wonderful marine photography, like Sharon Green's photographs (https://www.ultimatesailing.com/ ) was inspiring.

We decided on all red! It's time for Justice to be a little sexy!

The compact package arrived with everything we need. Could there really be about 567 square feet of sail in here?

Yes! VERY thin layers of 1.5 ounce nylon sailcloth VERY neatly packed.

Precision cut! The seam overlap is marked by a line for exact overlay. All edges are labeled and the panels numbered. Each corner labeled of course with clew, head or tack.

Dave double-sided taped our first seam and took off the tape cover. This narrow tape works well.

It assures the layers won't move out of position on the sewing machine.

We started with two of the smaller panels that we could lay out in one of our rooms. 

I think we're gonna need a bigger house.

The corners are very reinforced. This is the underside of one and will be covered by the red sail.

There is a ring and strap reinforcements to add last on each corner.

Place double-sided tape again where each seam would go.

Then line them up before taking off the tape cover for each layer, and sew your heart out.

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Here are the 2 top little panels #9 and #10. So cute!

It shows the nice four-point zig zag seam Dave made after checking the thread tension on a practice sheet provided by Sailrite. They say to stitch right off the panel. The ends will get reinforced edging and double stitching later. There will also be a leach and foot adjustment line. The luff will have a piping that fits our jib furler.

We are using mostly 4 point zigzag (4 stitch zigzag) which is stronger than 2 point zigzag.

It goes 1-2-3-4 in one direction then 1-2-3-4 in the other.

 More to come... I may add more details to each page, as we review them, until we are done. - Claire