SWMBO will not let me close to her sewing machine so I am pretty ignorant on
the subject. I need a machine for making cockpit cushions, canvas items
around the boat and minor sail repairs. I know I need zigzag, enough power
to make it through 5 or 6 layers of Sunbrella and maybe a walking foot but
that's about it. Looked at the Sailrite zigzag machines but they start at
$600.

Packed up some Sunbrella scraps and stopped by the Singer store today and
pleaded ignorance. Asked about used machines but they didn't have any that
would do what I wanted but showed me a new CG-550. It is an all metal
"commercial" model which means they sell them to schools and dry cleaners.
It is not glamorous or fancy but it is pretty heavily made. The lady put in
a #18 needle (what ever that is) loaded it with #92 thread and let me run 8
layers of Sunbrella through it. Worked great. I could even get it slow
enough for a first timer to keep up with it pretty accurately. It also does
2 point and 4 point zigzag. (See I did learn something!)

I know this thing doesn't have that big honkin' power wheel like the $800
Sailrite but it did what it was supposed to do, has a 25 year warranty and
only costs $250 plus another $30 for a walking foot . Am I missing
something?

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com