Far East Sails

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Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

We are on our Pacific Seacraft 34 on the Chesapeake Bay right now. All three of the sails on this boat are Far East. The one-reef staysail is perhaps 10 years old. The main and 135% genoa are two years old. The staysail has its panel seams sewn with three rows of one step zig zag. The main and genoa have their panel seams sewn with two rows of three step zig zag. Below are some pictures.

My take is:

In the older staysail three rows of one step zig zag are set in an inch of seam overlap. The top and bottom rows just reach outside the overlap preventing the edges of the overlap from rising. The stitching pierces both layers 24 times in 2 inches and one layer 12 times in 2 inches.

In the newer main and genoa two rows of three step zig zag are set in an inch and an eighth of seam overlap. The stitching does not reach outside the overlap so the edges of the seam are a bit vulnerable. The stitching pierces both layers 42 times in 2 inches. Each of the three step stitches are individually shorter than the one step zig zag stitches leaving them less vulnerable to snagging.

Overall, I like the newer method.

Our other boat has North sails. When we get back home this summer, I'll try to remember to take a look at it.

Bill

Thanks very much for that detailed reply.