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Where can I buy sailcloth and awning material etc. ?

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Paul Douglas

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Mar 9, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/9/99
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Whilst at Sailboat '99 at the weekend, a helpful chap on the dinghy cruising
association stand mentioned a supplier of sailcloth and awning materials
called 'Penine Fibres' or 'Penine Fabrics' at Holmfirth. I've searched the
web and tried directory enquiries etc., but to no avail. (they have no
connection with the other 'Penine' company that manufactures drysuites
etc.).

I've been enthused by a very good book on the subject 'Canvaswork & Sail
Repair' by Don Casey (also bought at the show !)

Does anyone know anywhere that sells such material (and exterior quality
thread, zips etc.) ??

The same book also gives hints on the correct sewing machine needed. ( up to
size 18 needle, takes large bobbins of polyester fibre, goes through up to 8
layers of cloth at once (in the corners etc.), interlocking straight stitch
at least 6mm long, zig zag stitch at least 5mm.

I've made enquiries at secondhand dealers, and posted messages on sewing
newsgroups and the concensus seems to be either the older Singer models,
large bench mounted industrial machines or a specialist machine advertised
on the http://www.sailrite.com/ website.

That one looks ideal, but it seems to be 110v and only available in the US.

Because it may get used heavily but infrequently, I would like to stay with
this sort of 'desktop' portable, rather than a bench type industrial
machine.

Has anyone any experience sailmaking/canvaswork on either heavy duty
domestic models, older (heavily built) singers, or specialist UK portable
sail specialist sewing machines ??

Maybe I'm 'going over the top' and a cheapish old heavy singer would do the
job ok if used carefully and slowly ??

Any advice or sailmaking DIY's experiences would be welcomed....


Thanks

Paul Douglas (Bozeat, Northamtonshire)


(please remove 'nospam' from my email address if replying direct)


Henri

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Mar 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/10/99
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For good Canvas try http://www.sunbrella.com/html/awning/default.htm they
have the right material. I am in no way affiliate with them it is only that
I have a charter boat in the Maldives and that we have our canvas covers in
the sun for more than two years, without any apparent discoloring.

--
Henri
ne...@sacharter.com
http://www.sacharter.com
(do not press "reply" the sender's address is incorrect)


Johnny Adams

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Mar 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/10/99
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In article <7c46p3$7t7$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com>, "Paul Douglas" <paulnosp...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>Whilst at Sailboat '99 at the weekend, a helpful chap on the dinghy cruising
>association stand mentioned a supplier of sailcloth and awning materials
>called 'Penine Fibres' or 'Penine Fabrics' at Holmfirth. I've searched the
>web and tried directory enquiries etc., but to no avail. (they have no
>connection with the other 'Penine' company that manufactures drysuites
>etc.).
>

The company you refer to is Pennine Outdoor, who sell all manner of useful
things.

The address is:

Hard Knott : Holmbridge : Huddersfield : West Yorks : HD7 1NT
tel 01484 689100/1

You have to make an appointment to visit, but they'll send you a catalogue and
cloth samples on request. Their version of Goretex is 'Supertex' and by all
accounts it's nearly as good (and available - which Goretex isn't except as
finished expensive garments). They do patterns for jackets, trousers,
salopettes, bivvie sacs, tents, etc. They do waterproof zips of every type
and length, buckles, webbing, eyelets, and so on........!

As a frequent customer, I can recommend them.


Johnny Adams

Wayfarer 3043
YM Senior 1629

The Dinghy Cruising Association can be found at:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/media/staff/jmahome/dca_home.htm

Ivan Le Fevre

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Mar 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/10/99
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On the subject of where to buy traditional sailing materials, objects, tools
whatever - can I recommend Arthur Beals Yacht Chandlers on Shaftsbury
Avenue, London. It is an immensely old establishment that used to serve the
Fleet River before it became Fleet Street.

Anyway, it is a superb place to track down any obscure hard-to-get widget as
well as being quite weird. I worked there for six months about ten years
ago. I once served Vivenne Westwood (the fashon designer) who was trying to
source some fish net to use in a hand bag!

Cheers

Ivan

Paul Douglas

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Mar 11, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/11/99
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Thanks for all the help everyone,

I've phoned the suppliers mentioned and their catalogues are on the way !

Paul Douglas..

John Fenn

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Mar 13, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/13/99
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Try Jeckells Trimmers, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad -- much cheaper that
Pennine Outdoor, whose prices put me off. I made an all-over dinghy awning
for Ł36!

John

Paul Douglas <paulnosp...@btinternet.com> wrote in article
<7c46p3$7t7$1...@plutonium.btinternet.com>...
> thread, zips etc.) ??

Ian Sandell

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Mar 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/14/99
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On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 20:04:25 -0000, "Ivan Le Fevre"
<iv...@lefevre.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

Just down the road, in Monmouth Street, is a supplier of canvas
re-inforced plastics etc and similar materials. They also make boat
covers. Can't remember the name as present.

Ian

Ian and Jean Sandell

Westerly 33 - Fizzgig
Lightning 368 - Twice

John Milne

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Mar 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/14/99
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Russell and Chappel. Suppliers of artists' materials.
jm
Ian Sandell wrote in message <36ef0b1e...@news.demon.co.uk>...
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