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I'm making new sail covers for my ketch. The previous set I made with webbing ties to secure them, I'm thinking of twist lock or other hardware this time. I have a couple of old presses, a Stimpson 405 and an Atlas X arbor press. I don't really want to hammer holes and fittings into the cloth as I have arthritis in my hands. Any advice on using these presses, or alternately should I choose a different system that can be sewed in place? What is your favorite method of securing your sail covers and why?
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
My favorite would be a #10 Delrin tooth zipper, or a couple of them as needed to get the proper length. At the end(s) where the slider will end up when closed I sew on a piece of 1/8" leech line. Once zipped closed, I run it through the slider's "handle" and tie a figure 8 knot in it as a safety to prevent any accidental un-zipping.
The sew-on nylon hooks and eyes have always worked pretty well, though you probably need a fairly substantial sewing machine to sew them on. I've also used just the hook part on some boat covers with bungie cord running through them. I'm not always trusting of plastic hardware, but I've never had one fail or come loose on me.
Then there are the standard twist locks. If they have a weakness, it is that the stud only has two prongs to attach it. Generally, it isn't a problem, but if it concerns you, you can buy the type made to attach to a solid surface. These will have a base plate with a hole on each end for a screw. It just so happens that the cap portion of a DOT snap fastener can fit through the hole and you can then rivet the stud portion to the cloth with two snap pieces (sorry, I don't have any on hand to show you at the moment). You definitely want to hot-cut the holes in the fabric for the little prongs or rivets to keep them from eventually raveling out - especially on Sunbrella, which tends to soften a lot with age. I use either a cut-down soldering gun tip or in a pinch, heat up the tip of a little screwdriver and I have some crude, but effective, brass plate guides that position the holes properly on the cloth. Lay them on the fabric and hot-punch right through the holes. I'm not sure what the function of the thin plastic plate under the "hole" section is supposed to do. Most of us don't seem to use them.
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
I've moved to those sew-in nylon hooks and eyes that Todd shows. I've found my old Pfaff sews through them without breaking a sweat. You can place them so they interlock, or you can stagger them, eyes on one side and hooks on the other. Run a permanent line through the eyes. To put it on, drape it over the sail, pop the line segments over the corresponding hooks and then take up on the end to pull the whole shebang nice and snug, bootlace like. It's quick and you'll soon find you can do it by feel.-DaveComment
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
Thank you both very much!
I plan to use zippers on the forward ends as I did last time. I have a Sailrite LSZ1, it paid for itself on the first covers.
Todd, those patterns are an excellent solution. I have an old soldering gun that I use and a newer hot knife.
I'm also considering using an aftermarket cutter https://www.ebay.com/itm/17531953730...3ABFBMhtDJp9Rh
in the arbor press.Comment
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
That cutter is nice, but the installation would be much stronger on Sunbrella if the holes were all hot-cut. I install twist locks cutting only the slots for the teeth, then once installed, I stick the hot knife in the middle and cut out the hole. Another thing that I do on my sail covers is to add a strip of Dacron sailcloth about 2" wide on the inside along the edge where the fasteners will go. It is much more stable than Sunbrella, and stays that way for the life of the cover.Comment
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
Thanks again!Comment
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
I bought the hooks and eyes. A test strip of cloth is on the boom right now. When I was planning for twist locks, I measured to have the hems meet flat and parallel. For the hooks it seems like an angle will be most secure. Any suggestions to achieve the best connection?Comment
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Re: Sail Cover Fasteners
Just to finish this thread, the covers are complete and installed, serving well. Thanks for the advice.Comment
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