Sailmaker - Career Advice - Manufacturing and Production

Manufacturing & Production

A sailmaker makes and repairs sails for sailboats, kites, hang gliders, wind art, architectural sails, or other structures using sails. A sailmaker typically works on shore in a sail loft. The sail loft has other sailmakers. Large ocean-going sailing ships often had sailmakers in the crew. The sailmaker Decline maintained and repaired sails. This required knowledge of the sailmaker's craft and the tools of the sailmakers loft on shore.

Today, one of a sailmaker's important jobs is to teach people how to set and trim their sails to get the most out of them. Sometimes a sailmaker will accompany the client out on the water and adjust the sails. The modern sailmaker uses computer-aided design and manufacturing tools. Computer graphics allow the sailmaker to produce a "lines drawing" of the sail. Once the design is complete, the sailmaker can now use a low-power laser to cut the material to the exact shape.

ANZSCO ID: 393113

Alternative names: Sail Maker,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

enjoy practical and manual work
good hand-eye coordination
good concentration
knowledge and understanding of mathematics
an understanding of design and pattern making.

Sailmaker's Loft
(Source: IT William Mowett)

Duties and Tasks

Sailmakers may perform the following tasks: Running Repairs

consult with customers to establish design specifications
produce patterns according to the specifications of technical drawings and designs
select, measure and mark out material
cut material to shape with shears or power cutters
set up and maintain industrial sewing machines
sew pieces of fabric together by hand or using light or industrial sewing machines
hem articles, inserting rope if required, and attach eyelets, grommets, zippers, buckles, straps and other fasteners
attach ropes to products using hand tools
treat material for water and rot proofing
operate high frequency and hot air welding equipment if handling PVC material
make and repair sails for yachts from canvas and synthetic materials.

Working conditions

In a full-time role, you would usually work a standard number of hours per week. This may include weekends, as many people use sailboats or yachts on weekends, and may need sail repairs or consultations about new sails.

Sailmakers usually work in workshops, which may be attached to boatyards or industrial areas in ports or harbours where boats are moored. Some sailmakers may also make other products out of canvas and outdoor textiles, such as awnings, tents and tarpaulins, so may work in a factory which makes a range of products including sails.

Tools and technologies

Fid, used to stretch grommets before inserting reinforcement
Sail palm, an oversized thimble used to drive needles through heavy canvas
Beeswax, used on thread
Benchook, to provide a "third hand" to hold sailcloth taut
Seam rubber, to press folds in to fabric
Sailmaker's needles
Sewing machine.

Did You Know?

Sailmakers lay out, cut, assemble and repair sails that are today predominately made from high tech textiles, such as carbon fibre, Zylon and Vectran, and by a lamination process where woven cloth is sandwiched between two films of Mylar and then baked under pressure. There is a very small market for older synthetic fabrics such as Dacron and natural ones such as canvas.

Not only have sailmaking fabrics changed, so too have many of the processes e.g. in some lofts sailmakers model sails using computer aided design (CAD) which feeds directly to laser cutters which cut the sail panels from rolls of sail cloth, replacing the traditional hand-held scissor method.

Once the panels are sewn together, the sailmakers complete the sail by attaching elements such as the leech and foot lines, protective patches in the areas where the sail will scrape against hardware (stanchions, spreaders), steel rings and straps at the tack and clew, cleats, batten pockets (if required) and sail numbers.

(Source: Starting Out)

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a sailmaker without formal qualifications. You would get some training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification in Textile Fabrication.

You can also become a sailmaker through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Textile Fabrication. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require senior secondary school certificate or equivalent.

Employment Opportunities

This is a specialised occupation, and employment opportunities are expected to decline. As more sails, canvas goods and outdoor textiles are mass produced, or can be more easily produced using machines rather than manual skills, there are likely to be less opportunities available for sailmakers.

Opportunities are likely to best for those with very specialised design skills.

Manufacturing & Production

Canvas goods fabricators lay out, cut, assemble and repair a wide range of heavy duty products made from canvas and synthetic fabrics. These products are generally rugged and designed for use in outdoor activities and may include tents, tarpaulins, vehicle covers, banners and backpacks. Designs Decline are marked on material and cut in a way that minimises waste. When all the product parts have been cut and assembled, they are joined together using industrial sewing machines or, if working with PVC, hot air-welding equipment. Textile fabricators also attach and/or insert ropes, eyelets, grommets and any other necessary fastenings. They may also treat products with special chemicals to protect them from rotting, and water or UV damage.

Stitching on sails

ANZSCO description: 393111: Fabricates and repairs canvas and related products such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins, horse rugs and caravan annexes.

Alternative names: Canvas Goods Maker, Canvas Worker, Industrial Textiles Fabricator, Textile Goods Maker, Textiles Fabricator

Specialisations: Sailmaker

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A canvas goods fabricator needs:

good hand-eye coordination
the ability to read and follow design specifications and instructions
the ability to work as part of a team
to maintain concentration while carrying out repetitive tasks.

A Career as a Canvas Fabrication Technician (JTJS52010) NZ
https://youtu.be/fqwMOvro3KQ

Duties and Tasks

Cuts and prepares canvas to design specifications, patterns and drawings.
Sews, glues and rivets sections of canvas together to make articles such as awnings, tents, tarpaulins and horse rugs.
Attaches grommets, fastenings and other fittings to canvas goods.
Fabricates sails.

Working conditions

Canvas goods fabricators employed in Australia generally work in factories and specialist workshops, such as sail lofts – these are usually located in metropolitan regions. There may also be employment opportunities in other regions throughout the States, albeit limited. Self-employment opportunities may also exist, particularly for those specialising in repair work. As with all manufacturing processes, there is a risk of personal injury when working with machines - requiring safe work practices to be followed in order to minimise any risk.

Tools and technologies

Canvas goods fabricators may use hand-held shears, power cutters or precision computer-aided cutters to cut material according to a desired pattern. Industrial or lightweight sewing machines are usually used to join material, though some detailed work may be sewn by hand. Hot air-welding equipment may be used when working with PVC material. Many of these products are also treated with specialised chemicals, making them more resistant to environmental conditions.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a canvas goods fabricator without any formal qualifications and get training on the job.

You may improve your employment prospects if you complete a traineeship in textile fabrication. The traineeship usually takes 24 months to complete.