Tag Archives: webbing

DIY Screens for Pilothouse Doors

Magnolia, a 1997 Kadey Krogen 42, has a raised pilothouse with two side doors. Being averse to biting black flies, I wanted screens before going down the Delaware Bay - a known fly habitat.  No one seems to enjoy their visits as they arrive in swarms.  I completed the first phase of the screens before we left the Chesapeake Bay bound for the Great Lakes. Reporting no flies aboard to date.  The screen material is cut the actual size I wanted with a two inch binding top and bottom which I made from Sunbrella and a 1" Sunbrella binding on the sides.  The material is Phifertex white 54".  This is the basic Phifertex which will allow more air flow, but may not keep out any noseeums.  For noseeums, I'd spray the mesh with "Shoo-Fly".  Primarily Read more [...]

Easy-to-Make Sail Bag Purse

I decided to make a new purse. I miss a little variety in my wardrobe now that we live aboard full time.  I don't have the selection of purses that I had when we had a home with walk-in closets for storage and where leather wouldn't mold. I liked the purse I had made before, but it was showing wear and tear and was a tad bit small.  So whip up another.  But how about a new design?  How about a changeable handle at least for variety?  Easy enough. The shoulder strap snaps on the hooks in the grommets.  This basic design can be adapted to many sizes and styles.  We are only limited by our ideas! Sail Bag Shoulder Purse with Changeable Straps Instructions Time:  Estimate 3 hours (planning/cutting/marking Read more [...]

Sail Bags

I entered these bags in the Sailrite Project Photo Contest.  The winner is determined by votes on their website by August 17, 2015.  Would you vote for my bags!? http://www.sailrite.com/Contest --------------------------------   It's been awhile since I've made any Bowline Bags.  So I thought I'd update my bags.  After surviving a "creative disaster zone" while sewing on the boat, a recycled sail  backpack and small cross body bag appeared. These are pretty simple bags.  I designed pockets out of Phifertex for my phone and pens across the back panel of the backpack. And I added a key fob to hold our rental car keys.  (Now that the condo and cars are sold, we have very few keys!)  Ladderlock buckles allow for adjustments Read more [...]

Mesh Snorkel Back Pack – Time for the Beach

I wanted a bag to carry all my sandy snorkeling and beach paraphernalia.  Last year during hikes to snorkel sites in the Exumas I didn’t have a light bag to throw over my shoulders to lug my fins and mask, bottle of water and towel. It would be a bonus if the bag would handle wet, sandy items on  the return trip. We have a dry pack but I didn’t want to have to deal with getting sand out of it.  So, with some extra mesh fabric and Phifertex Plus I came up with a fairly simple back pack design with a drawstring top. If I were to remake it, I’d make the shoulder straps adjustable.  You might find that Phifertex than Phifertex Plus used for the 10” base would be fine if not maybe a bit better for managing sand.  I used materials Read more [...]

Flexible Solar Panels – You Light Up My Life – Part II

  Update October 2014:  We did find some rubbing on the Sunbrella canvas top at the bows of the enclosure.  That wasn't going to work for us.  The enclosure is relatively new so we didn't want to add any unnecessary wear.  The Captain came up with a new installation still using the canvas backings.  Aluminum poles with line and snap shackles at each end are inserted into the canvas side casings.  The panels are taken up to the bow of the boat and attached to the lifelines.  Now the panels have even better sun and we get the benefit of some shade for the v berth! While we have a solid  8.5 kw Westerbeke generator aboard Magnolia, after our first year of cruising we decided that it would be an improvement not to have to run Read more [...]
Double-Sided Line Bag

Double-Sided Line Bag

The Captain requested a new line bag to hang off the boom attachments.  You know for reefing and outhaul lines.  The bag needed to be sturdy and be able to stand up to weather.  He requested a 14” square bag with pockets on both sides.  Here’s what I came up with. Materials: Phifertex Plus Mesh 1” Webbing 1" Binding D Rings or Buckles Tools: Binder clips Seamstick tape Binder attachment (optional) Instructions: - Measure size of backing panel and add an 1” for seams. Cut 2 out of Phifertex Plus.  Measure and cut 2 panels out of the mesh the same size.   Measure and cut sides and bottom out of mesh 3” wide plus an 1” for seams.  Cut enough for both sides of the bag so you have two pockets.   Read more [...]