"Thomas Wentworth" wrote in news:%0gUf.1562$kB1.709
@trndny07:

I have been reading Don Casey's book about repair, and upkeep of
sailing
yachts. He recommends getting a sewing machine so that sails, covers,
dodgers, etc can be repaired, made etc by the boat owner.

I don't know anything about sewing machines.

Where would I get one? How much should one cost? What brands are
good? Is
this something I can get on ebay?

Any help ?

Thanks,



First, no matter what anyone tells you, you DO NOT need an expensive
SailRite machine! I have used them, and several other commercial
machines as well. Sailrite is a good machine(not industrial quality),
but a good machine, but over priced and unless you are going to be sewing
a LOT of canvas and large sails these machines have limited utility.

What you need is one of the really old Pfaff or Singer machines, they are
touch as nails will sew leeather and cost a one third less than a
Sailrite and half a Sailrite clone(which by the way there are many of and
every bit as good as the Sailrites).

Look in any medium sized or larger cities yellow pages fro a sewing
machine repair shop, almost all selll used re-conditioned machines with
guarantees. Tell them what you want to do, and they can set you up
properly without resorting to a 2d mortgage. Also MOST of them will sit
you down and show you the basics, a far cry from trying to learn from
some guy on the telephone or by email.
g'Luk