Drifter Done

Between watching the boys and taking care of other business around home, I was able to spend some time finishing the drifter. Wrapping up the construction included:

1. A line of straight stitches along the inside edge of the boltrope
2. Securing the head thimble to the sail
3. Installing two brass rings with whipping at the head and foot
4. Adding leather chafe protection at the head, tack, and clew
5. Installing spur grommets along luff
6. Installing Swedish snaps along luff

I grossly underestimated the amount of time involved in all the handwork. What I thought would take about 4 or 5 hours was almost double. Watching the boys while trying to finish the sail contributed to the extra time, but not by much.

Here are some pictures of the final steps.



Clew (with obligatory blood offering)



Swedish snap installed on luff



Head with reinforcement and snap

My handwork isn't the prettiest, but it should be effective. With more practice my handwork should look better.

I said in my previous post that I wasn't going to add the snaps just yet. After thinking about it and considering the geometry of the sail, I decided that the sail wouldn't set well without being hanked to the forestay. So, rather than fuss with adding snaps in the middle of sailing season, I took care of it now.