To quickly catch you up to speed: I bought a heavy-duty sewing machine, which I refer to as the “sailmaking machine” only, back in September to construct a dodger. This is a canvas “housing” that fits over a steel frame over my companionway (main hatch), and acts as a spray shield, shade, and keeps the rain out of my cabin while the companionway is open. They’re all custom for every boat and cost a few thousand dollars. I thought I was really going to stick it to those money-hungry seamstresses & seamsters by doing it myself! If only they could see me trying to make it over a five month period… Read More→









