Anyway, the windows were very cloudy and crappy looking. The canvas, too, is a bit dirty and tired, but still functional, so I sourced a used sewing machine (non-walking foot, though
), put in a heavy needle, bought some heavy thread (V-92), 30-gauge roll vinyl (thread and vinyl from Sailrite), and gave it a shot. I haven't put the dodger on the boat yet, as I need it off to do some of the prep work that's in-process, but the finished product came out pretty good. If you don't look too closely at the stitching.
6-minute video, edited down from 35 minutes, which is all it took to do the last of four windows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew80HB- ... e=youtu.be
And a 40 second time-lapse, shot at the same time without interruption, and slowed down to about 1/4 speed (2-1/2 minutes) since it moved a bit too fast, as I just wanted to try the time-lapse function on my phone. Held to a tripod with rubber bands. High-tech meets low-tech.
[cue Yackety Sax music]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4toHU0hVIg
If nothing else, it might encourage others to try it. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, and the results are worth it.
Now on to some other canvas work. Like a new helm cover that actually fits the wheel and engine control. And maybe a StackPack type sail cover.
(And maybe some time on a Stairmaster - yikes!)
