Sailrite Sewing Machine

In the old navy, sailors knitted with a Sailrite sewing machine to occupy their time, and sold their work at port.

So, on those long winter evenings when the sun goes to sleep early, I’ve also taken up needlework for young ladies.

In fact, there’s a lot of sewing on board, between the cushions and the covers, which already adds up to a sizeable annual budget, plus all the other details that add up in the end.

After searching and searching on the web, then taking advice from specialists, then twisting the needle of the family sewing machine, we have to face the facts: you need an almost professional sewing machine to be able to stitch the thick, rough canvas of our boats.

When it comes to brands, there are enthusiasts who know how to unearth and repair sewing machines from the 60’s, sturdy as a pair of oxen, Singer, Pfaff and other fine brands that made up the domestic treasure trove.

It’s true that the sewing machine is also nostalgic for a time when children’s clothes and mother’s dresses were made at home.

The challenge is to find a sewing machine that can be transported on board, is compact enough and as powerful as the equipment on a sailboat.

If you’re looking for new or very recent boats, there’s only one brand to choose: Sailrite.

The brand has been around for a long time in the U.S. – two generations, if I’m not mistaken – and we now have a dealer in Europe who offers a 240 V engine on all models, including the Premium.

For our small sewing jobs, we recommend the premium model with the Monster flywheel, which gives the machine power through its flywheel.

With it, you can sew heavyweight canvas as an overlay, denim with leather; in short, perfect for everything on board plus living room curtains and sofa cushions if you get hooked on the thimble.

The purchase price is substantial, with accessories costing €1,200, but it pays for itself very quickly.

In feedback from experience, it’s easier than you think, and less easy than you think.

Easier because the average polytechnician can do it, less easy because you need to know the tricks for certain accessories like zippers, but there are books to download that will fascinate you.

One word of warning: the weight of the machine. Yes, it’s heavy, high-quality equipment that weighs its weight.

Some do-it-yourselfers build the equivalent of a Sailrite themselves, buying the components in China and assembling them themselves. Sure, there are savings to be made and the Chinese company would be particularly serious, but I’d rather have a serious correspondent in the UK for another €200.

By the way, the Sailrite importer also sells fabrics, and Sunbrella is cheaper there than in France.