Making Full Sails

TechTrek

TechTrek

Joined
Nov 15, 2020
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Location
Hillsburgh, ON, CAN
I’ve seen several posts with techniques for bending or making sails that look wind filled. They seem to advise draping the sail over a round object then coating them and letting dry to set in place. Has anyone tried installing the sail material on the ship then hitting them with a fan on high then spraying with a clear coating to set them? Seems like a technique that would pull the sail material and corresponding rigging in a natural fashion. Am I completely off base here? Has anyone tried this or reasons that this would not work? Newbies need to know! o_Oo_Oo_O
 
Not a fan or clear coat, but diluted pva and a blow dryer, yes I've tried, and I like the results

I've seen it on YouTube also, but I can't find the video now
 
I've also heard of that being done... using a fan, then clear hair spray...,also spray starch,nver tried it myself,,, suggest doing a test piece first... I am definately considering these options... please let us know... will watch this thread.
 
I hang the sails by all corners put a fan in front of then to billow them and spray them with hairspray, both sides. spray the fan side first let it blow in the wind spray it again let it sit in the wind. turn off the fan and spray the other side
 
epicdoom said:
I hang the sails by all corners put a fan in front of then to billow them and spray them with hairspray, both sides. spray the fan side first let it blow in the wind spray it again let it sit in the wind. turn off the fan and spray the other side
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Had not considered hairspray, sounds promising. I’m guessing this stiffens the sail without discoloring.
 
Watch this an you'll see what you need to in order to make billowed sails. Olha Batchvarov's technique was used to me the sails for my La Couronne. Fabric stiffener is cheaper than hair spray and works well. A fan is too weak to stretch sail fabric, only bend it a small bit. It depends on how much you want to deeply deform the sail into a billowed shape. For a 17th century ship, sails were billowed much more than 18th and 19th century sails in general. If I can make billowed sails on my first try, you can too. Prepare to impress yourself.

Click the link below.

Technology of making sails for my models

Also, look at my build log for step-by-step instructions, starting at post #295:
La Couronne Build Log
 
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DARIVS ARCHITECTVS said:
Watch this an you'll see what you need to in order to make billowed sails. Olha Batchvarov's technique was used to me the sails for my La Couronne. Fabric stiffener is cheaper than hair spray and works well. A fan is too weak to stretch sail fabric, only bend it a small bit. It depends on how much you want to deeply deform the sail into a billowed shape. For a 17th century ship, sails were billowed much more than 18th and 19th century sails in general.

Technology of making sails for my models

Also, look at my build log, starting at post #295:
La Couronne Build Log
Click to expand...
Wow, those sails are fantastic. Love the detail of the angle and the flags billowing above. This is what I am hoping to achieve on my Bluenose build and soon the start of HMS Fly. The SOS community is so helpful and knowledgeable. So glad I joined, just wish I had done it sooner.
 
TechTrek said:
Had not considered hairspray, sounds promising. I’m guessing this stiffens the sail without discoloring.
Click to expand...
Yes makes them stiff but you can push in areas and shape the sails this loosens the sprays grip just like in hair. Once its where you like it spray it both sides one coat and your good never had any discoloration the spray dries super fast with the constant air blown on it.

I have heard of folks using the PVA method and the results seem just fine. I haven't tried it myself to know if one or the other is better. If your making the sails yourself you can try both on a couple scrap squares of material and see which you like best
 
We get pretty humid here in Maryland but it's seasonal my Admiral is always hot so she keeps the house at 60 all year round she is the master of the thermostat and no way in hades am I ever challenging her for that. Easier to sit in the house in a parka all year long.
 
It's amazing this day and age that the so called "men" who used to rule the roost are now over ruled....are you also sequestered to a "small basement" room to do your model work? I used to remember a day when "men" ruled the world and paid the bills...I realize this will probably ban me.. but it had to be said.
 
ken s said:
It's amazing this day and age that the so called "men" who used to rule the roost are now over ruled....are you also sequestered to a "small basement" room to do your model work? I used to remember a day when "men" ruled the world and paid the bills...I realize this will probably ban me.. but it had to be said.
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In my world,,, I am king and always will be... woman or not,, I'll be damned b4 I let some one rule ahead of me.... I'd rather rule in hell than serve in heaven...
 
Lol nah I just learned to pick my battles wisely. 36 years it's cheaper to keep her besides she's a fine cook, faithful wife, great mother and grandmother. I give her the little wins it pays bigger for me in the back end. Honey I need a new this of that is rarely an issue
 
epicdoom said:
Lol nah I just learned to pick my battles wisely. 36 years it's cheaper to keep her besides she's a fine cook, faithful wife, great mother and grandmother. I give her the little wins it pays bigger for me in the back end. Honey I need a new this of that is rarely an issue
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Sometimes, I just like to stir the pot and see what kind of response I get.
 
epicdoom said:
Lol nah I just learned to pick my battles wisely. 36 years it's cheaper to keep her besides she's a fine cook, faithful wife, great mother and grandmother. I give her the little wins it pays bigger for me in the back end. Honey I need a new this of that is rarely an issue
Click to expand...
You know what,, ? You've got it made... Keep it.
 
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