42] DIY BOAT CANVAS: Replacing The Spray Dodger, Sail Pack & Bimini On A Sailboat | Sailing Skua

[@davidsilverman3967]

If no one else mentions it, you have now learned a very profitable skill. As you travel, you may be able to pick up canvas work . It will help to finance living your dream. Good luck!

[@fredflintstone1428]

All credit to your perseverance at making the bimini and sail sack. I'm mightily impressed with your work ethic.

[@chriswills9530]

Don't diminish what you are doing, both. I am so impressed with your gumption, patience and willingness to get a hold of a project and see it through. Your stitching looks pretty damned good to me. Let's face it, once the wind and sun get to the sprayhood, it gets baggy/tightens/sags/nips up constantly, even when done "professionally". You've done a great job, seriously. You are both the real deal; salty mariners making a euro go a long, long way ;-))

[@SailingKittiwake]

Aw thanks Chris 😊 you’re too kind. It was a big challenge, but we do have our canvas in the end 🎉

[@DoubleUThings]

At least you didn't throw the sewing machine overboard :D Looks good, that spray hood, guys! Happy greetingz, Wim

[@SailingKittiwake]

To be fair, I’m surprised I didn’t too 😂

[@DoubleUThings]

@@SailingKittiwake Haha! Well, it said enough that you didn't film anything. We'll probably have the same situation next week. Anja, my wife, starts sewing the cushions in the cabin then :D

[@frankfischer1281]

The both of you seem to be quite handy at all the tasks that needed doing….bravo!

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

Following. Enjoying. Not a sailor .... complete landlubber. You have awesome skills, tenacity and drive. Admiration from MikeinMinnesota.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much Mike! 😊

[@evanofelipe]

An Impressive display of ingenuity and adaptive learning - well done. By adding an extra level of grief through recording the process for our benefit, you ably demonstrate your determination to succeed, nice to see, thanks

[@SailingKittiwake]

Haha! Extra level of grief! Good choice of words 😁 Thanks Evano. Lovely to see you comment again 🤗

[@RVGhostRider]

It's funny, I'm following a couple youtubers who started out on 30-39' boats and you guys "upgraded" to an imperfect 37' and you both are so happy. I'm happy for you!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much :) Bear in mind our first boat was 26ft! Hehe. 37ft feels like a luxury hotel to us :D

[@RVGhostRider]

@@SailingKittiwake Totally! That was my point. I'm happy for you guys! Sail on & fair winds mates!

[@johndonaldson5126]

You are an amazing woman to tackle all of that canvas work on your new boat. That is a huge project and something I would never have done. Good on you. I also commend you for your great dialog that is informative and efficient. I'm glad I found your channel.

[@SailingKittiwake]

I’m humbled. Thanks John. I just did it because I had to 😊

[@leslieholmes2899]

You two are the hardest working couple around. Keep killing it.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Leslie 😊

[@SailingKittiwake]

Guys, I’m truly humbled by your comments. If there was one key message to take away from this video, this is it: anyone can do this. Anyone, really. And I don’t say this lightly. I’m a clumsy person with zero practical skills, who has trouble using the most basic tools! So anyone who wants (or needs) to make their canvas, can do it. Honestly. It’s not easy and sometimes it isn’t pleasant either, but it is definitely doable 😊 Elena

[@richardwiley5933]

For not knowing how to sew, you've done an incredibly good job! Don't sell yourself short - you have excellent natural skills. Greetings from Indiana, USA.

[@SindyJ37]

You are an inspiration!!!! ♡♡

[@SVImpavidus]

Hi Guys. Top Tip for sewing thicker materials or PVC is to use some silicone lubricant on an artists brush and wipe it on the needle every 3-4 inches of stiching. The needle slips through the material better. Great work. Sail safe. Ant & Cid xx

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot guys! Great tip x

[@rollemswift2683]

Well done Kiddo, I promise you will get better, that's from a guy who's been using a thumper of a machine, pattern cutting and upholstering leather suite's for years get your patterns correct , give yourself plenty of room to throw the material about let the machine do the work, in a few months time you will see the faults in other sailmakers and machinists work, oh and you will blame someone else for making your rain and sail cover, wink, wink, good on you for having the guts to do it, and of course you made the statement regarding the saving's, could be a nice little earner for you gotta be others with the same probs who won't even attempt it. Good Luck.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Rollem! I wouldn’t feel confident doing it for other people, so for now I’ll stick with my trade (copywriting) 😊

[@billlippincott3937]

Love your combined handiwork. Your overall restoration has made your old boat look like a million bucks! Well done.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Bill, she's certainly improving :)

[@graemebowyer1713]

Once again, Impressed, admire your persistence and willingness to take things on, great work with the canvas, I am assuming that any sail repairs now will not seen so daunting due to the sheer volume of stitching you have done.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Indeed! You can only get confidence if you keep trying 😀

[@johnbrown7312]

Anchoring on a lee shore is child's play compared to this project. You are brave and industrious folks. Congrats on a job well done.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Haha! Thank you! 😊

[@SindyJ37]

What tenacity to take on such a project. I'm beyond impressed and inspired

[@terrycarter4459]

That is some sewing machine for the price paid. Well done for getting all that sewing done.

[@RichardGDBaker]

Great video you two. Amazing display of spirit. That was a lot of canvas work. Herculean in task! Great job.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Haha! Thanks Ric 💪

[@nick.caffrey]

I think that that was a rough job completed with great determination, ending in success! Kudos too to the sewing machine!

[@Oceans_Sail]

Brilliant ....again! I love the fact that you tell it as it is - warts and all. If it seems like a disaster you bite the bullet and tell us...its so refreshing....and so helpful to everyone else! Yes its frustrating when you feel you have wasted days of painful sowing - but remember that you haven’t - its part of your knowledge and experience and if you paid for that course it wouldn’t also cost you a couple of grand. So at the very least you still saved £2000! Regarding imperfect work - apart from you, who really cares! It all looks great 👍 and a few unplanned sowing zig zags or imperfect fits - well its for you to worry about but nobody else. You saved an absolute fortune - respect!!! I think you guys are totally great! The biggest scandal of the 20th century is the corporate demand for perfection in a far from perfect world. Far better to go with the flo, aim for the best you can but be happy with what you do and move on. Life is too short to constantly aim for an impossible perfect result. There are places to see! Go and see them!!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks ever so much, Andy. You’re so right: who cares if it looks perfect - living fully is more important! And the savings were huge 😊

[@gangstagrandma]

Helluva accomplishment! I can't imagine, well done!

[@SailingKittiwake]

You’re making me blush!

[@clarisd]

Very well done!!! Striving is good for everyone!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Claris ☺️

[@clarisd]

@@SailingKittiwake i adore your tenacity, also very wise to have the correct tools. Fabulously done

[@SailingPickleFamily]

I absolutely love you guys! You make an amazing team and achieve so much, you should both be very proud of yourselves your both a great inspiration! X

[@SailingKittiwake]

Aaaw thank you. You’re too kind.

[@ronkirk5099]

I replaced my worn canvas and made a number of new canvas items for my boat using an $80. sewing machine and it worked well sewing easily through 4-5 layers of Sunbrella. It saved me a LOT of money and it was fun learning a new skill and being self sufficient. I used the same machine along with some hand sewing to do all my own sail repairs also. It is very important to be self sufficient if circumnavigating. Fair winds, far places!

[@vanscran1672]

Yes a magnificent achievement to make all of that, you'll enjoy the boat all the more for doing all the work yourself. I made a sail stack myself on a much smaller boat and that was a bit of a battle, so I know how much effort you must have put in. Well done and it all looks professional too.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much! It looks professional from a safe 10m distance 😁

[@colincampbell290]

You proved you can do anything if the will is there and you do the necessary research of how to do it. Goo news you can decuct the cost of sewing machine because you calculated it in with upholstery work. God bless you and give you the necessary skills to do what you must. Amen

[@randomtraveler3363]

Well done. I'm a firm believer that doing your own canvas work is one of the best ways to save on a boat. There always seems to be something to repair or make. You will get better with practice and experience. Also this is a skill that you can use to make money by doing work for others.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Very true! Although I wouldn’t charge people for my wobbly stitching 😂

[@randomtraveler3363]

@@SailingKittiwake Well in that case I may have a few projects for you to practice with then... :-D

[@SailingKittiwake]

😂😂😂 I prefer my day job (copywriting).

[@lampbagengland5538]

What a brilliant team you both are, not many would have taken on that sail work. Wishing you all the best.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much! ☺️

[@carlstout4546]

Look at you two your doing so well I'm so very proud of you look at you go your working overcoming hardships. How could anyone no be so proud of you two !! May God bless you and your boat I love you kids !

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Carl, we've definitely been learning a lot and getting some new skills!

[@ronhaskins7197]

I have never and probably won't but enjoyed watching you give it a go. I'm sure it will get easier with each piece. Enjoy watching the new boat come together!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Ron! 😊

[@ianmckay954]

Have been enjoying following your story... Apologies if others have made the same comments about your excellent seamstressing - a couple of tips: 1. The zip on the bimini fore edge will be the weakest point as it is likely to fail first long before the stitching or material due to UV damage. Good idea to add a flap to sit over the zip teeth. 2. the aft edge of your 'horsey' could do with some elastic in a hem to hold it taught with extra length (elastic) underneath to allow tensioning to your kicker or other point under the boom. This will help it not to flap about which will shake poor horsey apart very quickly. Cheers

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Ian. I will try to add those, but it’ll be hard to find the elastic now that we’re cruising in tiny Greek islands 😁 (the videos aren’t in real time). I’ll have to keep an eye out for some.

[@ianmckay954]

@@SailingKittiwake Elastic is an ideal but some 3mm cord would do to hold the back edge taught close to the stackpack - anything to stop the flapping... but the zipper cover against UV would be a priority for me. Enjoy Greece while I enjoy the west highland coast of Scotland! Cheers

[@paulinebutler5186]

You have taken on a mammoth task in such a small space.....your poor little fingers. Very well done.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Hihi thank you! They’re recovering 😊

[@danbissett]

Fantastic commitment, Seems like you’ve been sewing for weeks. Fair winds.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Aw thanks Daniel! Fair winds :)

[@knolltop314]

Awesome successful sewing projects. Well done!

[@andrewmullen4003]

great job on the canvas, looking good guys !!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much Andrew!

[@andrewbough7926]

Cool.You two keep it so real!You just became DIY GODS!!!Thanks!there's hope for us all!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Haha! Thanks Andrew. I’m the clumsiest person with terrible practical skills, so there really is hope for anyone 😊

[@christinec1928]

Well done. You did a phenomenal job on the canvas work. Many seasoned sewers would not undertake a job like that and the end result is fantastic. Wow!

[@SailingKittiwake]

You’re too kind, Christine! Inexperience - having no idea what I was up against - and necessity made me do it 😊

[@christinec1928]

@@SailingKittiwake Ha ha ha ... ignorance is bliss, isn't it!

[@iaingray36]

So very courageous Elena to take on the canvas work. I’ve seen the results, fantastic!😀

[@SailingKittiwake]

Good job you weren’t wearing glasses 😂 Thank you 😊

[@danieloliver20]

Nice job on the canvas, it will look especially great while sailing in the Med.! My friend that got me into sewing my own canvas stressed that the most important tool was the seem ripper, and for me he wasn't kidding! BTW, hand sewing is not easy but you made it look so.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Daniel, that hand sewing was made easier as we were mostly tracing old stitches. Totally agree seam ripping is under-appreciated! Especially when you're templating from old bits.

[@michaelb.barnett2225]

You did an awesome job!!! Barney

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Barney! 😊

[@yawlofa]

Good job with all the canvas work. I have been redoing mine slowly over the last couple years. Trying to sew those large panels in the restricted area of a boat cabin or cockpit really adds to the challenge.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Very true, although we don’t know it any other way 😁 maybe for the best 😊 Thanks a lot!

[@reloadncharge9907]

Good video, well done! When I was quoted $7000 to replace all 10 salon cushions in my cat, I opted to buy a Sailrite and material, new foam...total cost about $1700...and learned how to sew. I did not know if the thread went into the needle left to right or right to left! learned quick! I think I ripped out as much seam as I sewed, and I know I found new ways to conjugate verbs and nouns when frustration mounted! But....now I have made awnings, winch covers, outside cushions, other cushions....dodgers....all for the initial investment of $900 for the machine (and a hotknife!). It will pay you back for sure! Thanks, Andrew

[@SailingKittiwake]

It's certainly a good way to learn how to string together a good selection of swear words. It sounds like you had a similar learning experience to us! We can understand why people charge so much for doing canvas work - it's hard and takes ages, but for us it was just not an option to pay a pro. How do you find the sailrite machine?

[@reloadncharge9907]

@@SailingKittiwake I really like the Sailrite, I have the LZ1. I know there are similar, not-Sailrite sewing machines out there. On my previous boat we had a Reads (1980's) which I never used, partner did all the canvas! But it is robust, can do anything I need it to do, tons of layers (9-11) of sunbrella and easy to maintain. Heavy...yes. A storage nightmare...yes. I have no experience on other machines....but I do like my hot knife (2)!! Service and their Chat line have been fantastic. Thanks!

[@roderickmchardy3650]

that is an excellent job on that both of you

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Roderick! 😊

[@captainmike808]

Looks terrific! Nice work.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers!

[@yeelinli1]

Skua looking fantastic down to the very hard work from both of you, you have a great deal of patience the sewing machine would have been in the drink if I had been doing it ! Really impressed with your work , look forward to more.Well Done.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you Howard ☺️ We loved seeing her transform under our eyes 😊

[@1coonoe]

Wow, you guys did a great job!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Grant!

[@tomaswest6541]

That's a really great job and I admire your work ethic on just getting to grips with something that would scare most of us off

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Tomas! It was a big challenge but we’re so glad we tackled it.

[@bobbywhitney2139]

looks terrific inspires me to have a go at it

[@SailingKittiwake]

That’s awesome. Thanks Bobby!

[@64aqualife]

Thank you for sharing! You’ve shown that any of us without any experience are capable of repairing anything you set your mind on. You made it seem so easy even if it is time consuming. You got grumpy? Nothing compared to myself! I probably would be a lot more grumpy. LOL. Keep up the amazing work, the boat is already beautiful! Fair Winds!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks ever so much 😊 Ha! I was grumpy all right 😁😇

[@normanboyes4983]

Congratulations for persevering with your sailmaker skills, making errors when you are learning a new skill are apprenticeship badges of honour. As you get more skilled you will get less badges.😉👍⛵️

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank Norman, great way to look at it! 😊

[@MohrTube1]

@@SailingKittiwake lol its the only way to look at it,!! You Guy are great, Love the videos. Looks Great.!!

[@srqlisa7881]

I hope the canvas dodger and bimini work because you did a much better job than I could have tried to do. Just think when it needs to be done again and it will it will be a piece of cake for you. Trust my friend did this for well craft. :)peace

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Lisa! It still feels like witch craft to me - mysterious and dangerous! Hopefully it’ll feel easier in the future 😊

[@haywood12]

Colour me impressed by that canvas work

[@SailingKittiwake]

☺️ thank you

[@SailingMalie]

Great effort and you got the result you wanted. Looks good.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Roy! 😊

[@williamralph5442]

Bravo, nice job.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers William!

[@nick.caffrey]

Your channel is growing on me! Eleanor and Ryan; you are a some team!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Nick 😊 Very glad you’re enjoying the channel. Elena & Ryan

[@keithh8661]

Way ta jump in and do,and ta keep with it,so so much Work,just even moving canvas alone ,good going!!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Keith, glad people realise what a job it was! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@jeffreyl.kellerman1125]

Very impressive !!!!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you ☺️

[@geetee50]

well done guys absolutely brilliant. top credit to you both for getting stuck in , it looks perfect.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Just look at it all from a safe distance of 10m and it does look perfect 😂 Thank you tough 😊

[@gilcore5245]

Your stitching got better as you went along of course! Nice job!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Gil!

[@tikkathreebarrels]

another amazing episode! You two are such resourceful grafters: I think you'll do anything you put your minds to.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Aw thanks so much. It was a challenge, but when you need something, you find a way 😊

[@jean-marcv.19]

Very nice work!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you very much.

[@myjeepzia]

It's always so good and interesting watching your videos. Thanks

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers!

[@nigeloakes5171]

Congratulations (belated) on doing such a fine job on your new stack pack, spray hood and bimini. As I watch your videos hand stitching my own rotten stack pack seams, I admire your fine sewing machine and your nice straight lines. Fair winds for your future ventures. Thank you for the videos.

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Excellent job well done to you both, ya got grit! as they say 👍🏼💥💪🏼😄

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you 😊❤️

[@JoeTheLion60]

Nice job - you two are really talented!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Joe. No talent needed, just a bit of perseverance 😊

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Amazing job guys, huge amount of tricky work there. Looks brilliant, just keep reminding yourself how much you saved. I just had my sprayhood cleaned, reproofes and new windows and that was £290 so you saved a huge amount. Andy UK

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Andy, we didn't get a quote but would have guessed it would be in the thousands for all the bits we did, and at least we know we can repair it or replace it over time when a sailmaker can't be found. All the best and thanks for watching!

[@rogers53]

WOW u guys did a fantastic job,thanks for sharing.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Roger, was a lot of work but definitely paid off

[@svdukesonsunday1275]

nice job! way to get things done!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers!

[@persternas2118]

Great canvas work, INSPIRING!!! 👌

[@SailingKittiwake]

Wow thanks. It was just out of necessity, really ☺️

[@zenzen9131]

What a mammoth task I'm well impressed by your efforts and determination :)

[@SailingKittiwake]

Sheer necessity 😊

[@markrobertshaw2781]

Fabulous effort. Great skills to make all those pieces.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Nah just lots of swearing 😂 Anyone could do it.

[@markbernier8434]

Fabulous result especially using a residential type sewing machine. Ebay is your friend. Try and get a hot knife and a Sailrite machine. Now that you have done it once you have a new side line. Just having the machine and thread will get some jobs.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Mark! I think I’ll stick with my copywriting freelance work - it’s way easier 😁

[@markbernier8434]

Second time is half the work

[@SailingKittiwake]

Our boat neighbours do it to make some cash but every boat is different, so each piece is a new shape. They always run around with prototypes, measure them against the boats, come back and redo it all. I always tell them I could not do it.

[@stevenpaul9259]

That's a serious amount of work! Well impressed!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Steven!

[@danscully2430]

Very impressive I think I would go crazy doing that job. Hope you are enjoying the summer.

[@SailingKittiwake]

But I did go crazy 😜 😂 Hmmm summer isn’t here yet - the Med has been a bit tough so far (lots of wind storms, inaccurate forecasts, cold weather,...). Fingers crossed we’ll get to see summer soon! Thanks Dan.

[@danscully2430]

Haha I thought it would be all sun sailing and sangria by now. compared to where I work in northern Norway It must feel tropical. Fair winds.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Oh yes, tropical! 😊

[@billywhizz6483]

You should be very proud of that... great job!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Billy!

[@skarthi52]

Excellent work! The skills you’re learning now will help with living a self sufficient sailing life. Plus many of these skills are highly sought after in far flung ports around the world. Another feather in your cap. Have you considered incorporating a raincatcher into the Bimini. Useful when water is at a premium. Looking forward to the next instalment. 😎

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Chris. We were thinking of using a pool noodle to trap rain directly by the water tank inlet, so we don’t have to store it. Not sure what would be more effective though. Do you have any tips? 😊

[@skarthi52]

Found this video. Hope it helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hai0lqqEaKaml5I

[@c00lhand2469]

I should hire you guys to redo some of the canvas on my boat!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Another year 😁 Let Elena forget how hard it was 😊

[@geraldtonjjeeper]

I would call your "luff tape" the bolt rope! Great job on the canvas works!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you!

[@hfed2657]

I'm as interested in your repairs and maintenance as sailing. Pitched perfect to someone like myself ( average DIY guy ). You do great videos, really engaging and you are both really natural to listen to. Please keep them coming but some ppl run out of things to report on and still make videos which are then rather bland. Quality not quantity for me.

[@Q-ey2jk]

It looks nice

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks!

[@karstenboyenielsen4576]

Clever girl. Very fine work. Others will pay you for that. May help you along the trip.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thank you! I think I’ll stick with my usual job (copywriting) though 😁 This was way more difficult and stressful 😁

[@TERRIBLYBRITISH]

That was brilliant! Well done. I made a canvas windscreen cover last week, nothing as complicated and impressive as your work, but always very satisfying to make something yourself. Adventures Adrift stand in the front hatch and work the sewing machine on the deck, like a sailing loft a real back saver i reckon!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Awesome. Well done! Yes, it saves so much money.

[@randys1889]

Fantastic Job! You should be quite proud of yourselves, thanks for the inspiration! Cheers~

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Randy, and thanks for the nice words :)

[@ascot1049]

Nice one.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Ascot!

[@stotas2]

Awesome work and I can’t believe you got grumpy lol it happens to all of us.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Haha! Would you believe?! 😂 I just wanted to be honest 😁

[@Q-ey2jk]

Good job

[@SailingKittiwake]

Cheers Tony!

[@webbrowne2291]

Great job!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Web!

[@justbanter8727]

You did great - a little bit of wobbly stitching kinda makes it yours! if you know what I mean :) I watched another sailing channel/couple a while back who actually paid for theres to be done (knowing what a difficult task it can be), but even after two attempts the Bimini Makers still could not get it right for their particular vessel! - in the end they refused to pay-up, & told 'em to stuff it (and rightly so).

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks so much 😊 Ha! They did well to refuse. I bet the bimini makers were more grumpy than me 😂 The whole canvas work is very evidently “mine” 😁👍

[@rag3geCKo]

Inspiring af guys. Thank you

[@SailingKittiwake]

Anyone can do it 😊

[@razzorbladz]

great work :) that sewing machine did a great job for a fantastic plastic machine my main boat sewing machine is a hand cranked singer model 28 circa 1898 the thing will stitch through anything but it would be great to have a zig zag machine that will sew sails onboard. also its good to see more proof that you don't need to bust out $1000 for a sailrite sewing machine. I run a sail loft so I have industrial machines at my disposal but I love the old hand crank machine you have so much more controll

[@SailingKittiwake]

Awesome! Thank you. Yes, when you can’t afford it, you find a way to make t work 😊

[@razzorbladz]

@@SailingKittiwake oh I can afford a sailrite but I just dont like the machine it's a chinese clunker re-badeged with a price mark up I have sewn on a few of them they are not what all the hype claims they are.

[@almath9987]

Thanks guys great work, need to replace my spray hood, showing it age and the seams are starting to split 😱 after watching this and watching sailrite videos think i might try my luck having the old one to copy should help i hope🤔. Did you cut a bit shorter to accommodate for stretch over the years? Thinking trace out the old and cut inside 3mm?

[@SailingKittiwake]

Hi Al, we templated from the old canvas, then templates the windows (which provide a lot of the tension on our spray hood) really tight from templating plastic. But we'll see how it stretches over time. I think 3mm sounds sensible but I think it'll stretch for and aft more than side to side? Maybe email sailrite pretending you're going to buy a machine from them? :)

[@LandyAndy62]

Good on you! You definitely earned you strips there :-)

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot Landy!

[@joew7013]

well done.

[@BethanyIvy]

Thank you so much for this video! It has been very helpful and we love all your DIY! We bought our first sailing boat just a few days ago... it's was very inexpensive which means it needs lots of fixing up, and we're on a budget so learning that it's possible to repair the spray hood ourselves is amazing! :) I'm wondering what is the spray hood fabric called and where do I buy it? Thank you, and looking forward to watching the rest of your videos! :)

[@SailingKittiwake]

Congrats! Best of luck with the refit. The fabric is Sauleda Sea Star. I got the non waterproof one and it’s waterproof...! (I tested both samples under the sink). We bought it in Spain from Bimini Top Nautica but in the UK the usual websites like Kayospruce should stock it 😊

[@BethanyIvy]

@@SailingKittiwake Thank you so much! Ours probably won't turn out nearly as nice as yours but we'll try (and put all of our successes and fails on our youtube channel of course, haha)! Hoping to have our boat ready for spring, then head towards the Mediterranean :)

[@SailingKittiwake]

Love & Lentils just don’t take close up shots and it’ll look good. That’s what I did 😂

[@BethanyIvy]

@@SailingKittiwake Do you mind if I ask what kind of thread did you use? I've made several attempts at sewing my spray hood and the thread keeps breaking after only a couple stitches (using the right needle, tension, lubricant but no good). I thought I ordered the right kind of thread but doesn't seem to be strong enough. Thank you! :)

[@StevenPendleton]

Can I borrow you to do my boat? Great job. Nobody gonna ever look to see if stitching is perfect or not! Look at all the money you saved!

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks Steven! Yes, it was a lot of saving 😊

[@ian-haynes]

Get a pack of sharps or jeans needles so you always have sharp ones at hand, try using silicone spray over the material you will get better thickness penetration. What thread and bobbin thread are you using???

[@SailingKittiwake]

It’s V69, couldn’t tell you what bobbin though. Thanks for the silicon spray tip 👍

[@brianboys9015]

Cool dobro

[@AmandaRee803]

Amazingly done! Love it :) I’d like to renew a few canvasses on our boat too. Can you tell me where you bought you’re sewing machine and what the brand is? We’re in Spain too at the moment :) happy sailing !

[@SailingKittiwake]

Have you ever done your own canvas work? If yes, do you have any tips? If no, would you do it after watching this video? The sewing machine and other tools we used for the refit are listed on our Amazon shop: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/sailingkittiwake

[@bevantweedie5129]

Sailing Kittiwake you deserve a medal doing all that canvas work on the boat.It is hard enough on a large dedicated sewing table .I'm lucky I have a friend who does all mine.

[@brianswanland5466]

That was one of the best DIY boat repair videos I've seen Good work, looks professional. I thought the backpack like strap as a tensioner on the back of the bimini was ingenious. I was a little confused about the problem at the top of the luff of the foresail, was the beltrope coming out? Or just the stitching at the head? Now that you are finished, would you recommend the Jeans sewing machine or would you think the sailrite is a good investment? Appreciate the great vid! I'm subscribed now.

[@SailingKittiwake]

Thanks a lot for the comment Brian, it really depends on what you're using it for. There were a couple of bits where the machine just couldn't go through like the corners of the sails or where there were multiple layers of canvas plus a zip, and then we relied on hand stitching or used our buddy's machine as he has an industrial one that would probably go through plywood. But the industrial ones are really heavy and take up a lot of space (as well as the hefty price tag) whereas our little one is lightweight and can do 99% of what we need.

[@brianswanland5466]

Great info. I wonder if the Sailarite would have fared better?