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March 23, 2005
Tanbark
Every once in a while one of our customers orders a sail in tanbark. Back in the days of cottons sails, some sailcloth was tanned - dipped in tannins, usually derived from tree bark. The process was used to protect the sails from rot, mold and mildew. Nowadays, Dacron is dyed a reddish brown to simulate the 'red sails in the sunset' look. Sail buyers pay a premium for this or any dyed Dacron. There is no analogous protection provided by the dye.
Here Jake finishes a small dinghy made from Contender tanbark. Jake is a veteran sailmaker with over 30 years experience now in semi retirement. We are lucky to get him when we can.
Posted by Win at 08:46 AM in Loft Life | Permalink
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Comments
Its good to be able to bring in one of the pioneers of the tanbark process when you need one. I'm sure that Jake can teach to whipper snappers a few tricks.
Posted by: bob | Mar 23, 2005 10:42:43 PM
Is it possible to re-dye the sails once they have faded a bit?
Posted by: Tom Ryan | Apr 29, 2008 12:58:30 PM
Unfortunately, not really. These polyester fabrics go through some fairly harsh finishing processes after dyeing. It's pretty hard to get the dye to stick thereafter...
Posted by: Win | May 27, 2008 10:16:06 AM
I am interested in the tanbark process and how I can use this application on dacron sails if possible.
Posted by: Captain Johnnnie | Jan 9, 2009 10:40:39 AM
