I have an old ten cate sail that i think would i would b able to cut. it down to suit a small boom i have & i will just cut down the old mast to suit or go for alloy pipe not shore yet . My sister in law told me her brother got second place in the 2002 world championships & that he was making his own sails & was self taught & now making more money making sails part time than his full time job as a builder he's not far and i might resort to getting him to do it but it would achieve some recycling & get me to get the industrial sewing machine serviced .& it did make me think i have never seen a sail making thread nor did a search show up any .but i remember plenty for board making now even carbon fibre boom so why no sails?It seems like a good idea instead of throwing out and i want kids sail so any hints will help.

I have a singer20U machine which is a "professional" rather han" industrial " set up . to sew sails I use a size 36 polycotten as my thread and size 140 needles.
most sewing shops only have needles to size 90, butif you get onto a wholsaer the needles come in packs of 100 for around $20.
Ive been told sailmakers thread starts at size 46 for light spinakers.
I rarely have the stitching come apart . All the sails Ive cut down have been for landyachts, but they still come under a lot of strain. monofilm is trickier to work with, so I would practice on older dacron mylar first.
it does feel great when a recut sail comes out well , AND performs

If they are under 12 you'll need 2.5. The cheapest option that does work very well is th EZZY package.


This liitle guy is neally 13 and can plan on this kit. He is ready for a 3.5 now.
Only a few sessions with the 2.0 then 2.5 and he is up and running because the rig and board were easy for him. The mistake we make is what pierre meanioned. It must be right for them in height and weight.