Tyvek for DIY

[Vibe]

I've found rip stop Polyester at WalMart, and another fabric source had rip stop Nylon. The only way I could tell them apart was the Nylon had the rip stop threads spaced at about 1/2" apart, and the Polyester was closer to 1/4". I'll have to find a source of Tyvek to try it out. I currently use a piece of 3 mil plastic sheet for a ground sheet.

[hoz]

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Do they also make sails out of rip-stop nylon? What is the GoTo fabric of choice for making your own sails?

The "go to" fabric is Dacron sail fabric. It is about 4 oz per sq yard and has been coated with a treatment that makes the fabric stiff, to hold it's shape. Next is Tyvek. It is stiff like sailcloth and much cheaper. With Tyvek the shape has to be made with darts in the belly and luff while in dacron the shape is sewn in by "broadseaming". .

Some make cheap sails from polytarp, using the same techniques as Tyvek. .

Nylon is not good for sails as it stretches, which will ruin your "airfoil" shape. Good for downwind only. (Like on a spinnaker)

[hoz]

I'll have to find a source of Tyvek to try it out. I currently use a piece of 3 mil plastic sheet for a ground sheet.

Some are dissatisfied with Tyvek as a groundcloth. It isn't totally waterproof and it develops fuzz and static that holds onto ground duff.

[zelph]

I'll have to find a source of Tyvek to try it out. I currently use a piece of 3 mil plastic sheet for a ground sheet.

Some are dissatisfied with Tyvek as a groundcloth. It isn't totally waterproof and it develops fuzz and static that holds onto ground duff.

Ahhhh yes, static and ground duff and more static as you fold it up and then the duff gets all over yourself as the static transferes to my body and the static goes every where Theres another thing to think about when you go to use it. Thanks for the reminder

[DarenN]

Some make cheap sails from polytarp, using the same techniques as Tyvek.

these guys sell kits as well as finished polytarp sails. there are also patterns and directions for DIY'ers.

http://www.polysail.com/

Daren......

[hoz]

Yeah, Dave Gray lives about 10 miles from me. Still, the "Cheapskate" in me won't let me buy one of his kits. There are several internet suppliers of white poly tarp and there are several sites that give calculations for sail geometry on the net.

[Pure Mahem]

Speaking of Tyvek found this website when looking at the geodesic boat designs in another post. Great place you can get tyvek in anylength 10' wide for 1.98 a square yard. Oh yeah it comes with out any print on it which is like totally unheard of. Also they sell pieces in died colors only 3 color available but hey it's not white right. Also they sell premade ponchos although for the price I think I would attmept to make my own.

http://goodling_outdoor.tripod.com/

[zelph]

Speaking of Tyvek found this website when looking at the geodesic boat designs in another post. Great place you can get tyvek in anylength 10' wide for 1.98 a square yard. Oh yeah it comes with out any print on it which is like totally unheard of. Also they sell pieces in died colors only 3 color available but hey it's not white right. Also they sell premade ponchos although for the price I think I would attmept to make my own.

http://goodling_outdoor.tripod.com/

Thanks Pure, well equipped site. Lot's of choices, nice.