SAILRITE VS CHEAP Sewing Machine (Full Comparison)

Finally an opportunity arose to compare the Sailrite Ultrafeed with my cheaper, but apparently very similar Reliable Barracuda... I couldn't let this opportunity pass, since i had recently be searching Youtube for this exact information.
No bias, honest comparison between the pros and cons of these machines.

BTW I'd like to make a correction... I mention a "not quite rite" machine available on Alibaba for $60 when it is only the base....my error.... the machine is actually $180.

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Timeline
0:00 Intro
00:37 The machines
01:33 General
07:54 Motors
09:40 Internals
10:40 My lesson with the Barracuda
16:50 Sewing
29:40 Customer service
31:50 Cost
34:36 Summary

ABOUT US:
Jupiter² was built in the Philippines by an Australian designer for Jamie. During his time away from work, Jamie lived on board and cruised South East Asia. One of his life dreams is to sail around the world. His plans came together at the end of 2018 when he met a Filipina lounge singer in China. Princess was yearning for a vacation since she had been working many years to support her family. Finally, her siblings got their own jobs and she decided to join Jamie on Jupiter² and go sailing. It was a wild decision for her because she had never sailed before. For the first time, they sail for two weeks around Phuket, Thailand. She began to see what Jamie love about the sea. They both resigned from their jobs in early 2019 and began cruising full time.

Hopefully some inspiration to "Quit Job and Go Sailing".

THEME SONG CREDITS:
Song: Ikson - New Day (Vlog No Copyright Music)

MUSIC:

CAMERA GEAR :
GoPro Hero 8
GoPro jaws flex clamp
GoPro 3-way camera stick & tripod mount
GoPro Dome
GoPro Polar Pro Filters
Iphone X- (dropped to sea Nov. 15)
Zoom H1N handy recorder
Boya BY-MM1 microphone
DJI Phantom 3 standard - (we crashed it recently 😂)
Software Editor : IMovie / Davinci Resolve 17
Laptop use for editing :
MacBook Pro 15inch Touch Bar 2017
MacBook Pro Retina 15inch 2015

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[SailingLifeonJupiter]

Thanks to everyone that joined us for the Premiere.... great to catch you all in real time....Cheers

[svfullcircle]

Nice video. I would have to say that I own a sailrite. I was brand new to sewing when I purchased it. sailrite’s machine has been flawless, their customer service in my opinion is amazing. They practically taught me how to sew. Hahaha I have called many times asking questions and they have been amazing. In fact, i reached out to them about sewing 90 degree corners and they literally told me to give them a couple days and they would post a video on how to do what i was asking. They are awesome.

[stellabelikiewicz]

A factor that I wish more people were taking into account is “this company charges more money for their product because they are employing people to assemble and maintain their machines, and provide customer support in the country where their customer base is, and are paying those people in a higher value currency.” That is important.

[darrellhale]

The numbers on the tension control is just a label. You could make your own numbered label to cover up the default + - label. Or if you only need a few tension settings, just add your own hand drawn tick marks to the edge of the knob to highlight where you need to turn the knob to set a given tension amount. If you need more than 2 or 3 ticks, you could also use different colors to set them apart. Usually one mark on the machine itself is added as well to give a visual reference point to where the ticks on the knob should align with the body of the machine.

We use this same tick mark technique all the time at work to readjust the voltage levels on variable bench power supplies between a few common levels we need. Instead of making slow adjustments qhile watching the voltage meter change, we just turn the knob to exactly where it needs to go based on a tick mark, then verify or fine-tune the output with the meter as needed.

[robeasy]

Save up the extra money! Speaking from a personal experience with a cheaper alternative. Own a Sailrite now and it’s a amazing machine!

[brucemckelvy]

I have owned a Sailrite ultrafeed for over 20 years now. Have sewn hundreds of projects including a total boat cover out of sunbrella for our C&C 37. It has sewn rachet straps gallore as well as bimini's you name it. The first project (The boat cover) saved me the entire cost of the machine plus all the accessories I bought with it. Don't regret my purchase one bit.

[craigwalsh]

I have the Reliable Barracuda and it gets the job done but is admittedly crude compared to a German Adler walking foot I used to have. I wish I hadn't sold that machine! I've never had a chance to use the Sailrite LSZ but I'd buy that if money was no object, based on what people say about it. In April '23 the Sailrite machine is twice the cost of the Barracuda in Canadian dollars (almost $1800!) and I still can't justify that, which is why I bought the Barracuda in the first place. I'm grateful that Sailrite's parts, manual and videos apply to the Barracuda (so far), as there really is nothing from Reliable. I've upgraded the flywheel and stitch length control with Sailrite's parts, lengthened the wire to the foot control (necessary!), altered the hinge location on Reliable's box (that wouldn't take the machine as supplied), filed the needle plate openings to allow me to use Sailrite's leather feed dog and generally tinkered until I'm reasonably happy with it. I'd have to say that this is not a machine for those not willing to tinker. Sailrite is still my go-to place for supplies and materials, even if they don't want to help with my machine...

[paulathomas]

For those who can't afford a new Sailrite machine, can I suggest looking for older used semi-industrial machines? Some of these date back to the 1950s and 60s and are superbly engineered. One piece of advice I would like to add is don't use cheap needles. Dropped stitches and broken threads are often caused by needle deflection due to using a low-quality needle. Good quality needles are made from high grade steel which is stiffer stronger, stronger and holds a sharper point for longer.The difference between cheap and quality is like night and day. Groz-Beckert are generally considered to be the gold standard but I've also had very good results with Organ. Also make sure you're using the right size of needle for your thread. For V92 you want a 120/19 needle. V69 use either a 100/16 or 110/18. Hope this helps.

[Desertpagan]

I totally enjoyed your comparison.
I've owned and used the Sailrite Ultrafeed going on for 10 years. Of course, they're close to twice the price now. Sailrite videos are mind-blowingly useful, their employees unlike the owners are quite helpful.
At one time they encouraged customers to send in photos of projects they made using their Ultrafeed machine. So I submitted a Sioux, Native American Tipi I had designed and made for my grandchildren. They were obviously interested and asked for a copy of my CAD pattern file, which I freely sent. However, their interest totally evaporated when they found out I hadn't made it using their canvas. When they refused to help you with your Barracuda I wasn't the least bit surprised. Frankly, I own a couple Chinese-made sewing machines, one in particular looks like it was made by a drunk blacksmith, yet it sews as well as my Sailrite and it only set me back $150. As Paul Liuzzo commented, "a Ferrari and a Ford will both get you where you are going."

[Escapetosea]

Great video. I bought the Rex 607z and put a “genuine “ sail right wheel on it . Similar experience, worked great for my sailright stack pack project, but started skipping stitches. After months of being too frustrated to look at it anymore I sat down, watched some videos, and when I was just about ready to start adjusting things when I I realized I had a burr on my hook, probably crashed it into the needle. Cleaned up the burr, installed a new needle, and I’m back in business! Again, thanks for the info. Sewing machines can make you want to pull your hair out!🥂

[shawniams]

What a great comparison... This is the exact information I needed. I hate to say, that I immediately began looking for the mythic unicorn that is the 60.00 machine. Couldn't find in on Alibaba, so i went back to your video and rewatched the section where you showed the screen shot from the Alibaba page and then I saw it. The page you were looking at did indeed show the similar machine, but the 60.00 offering was not for the machine, it was for a wooden base and cover/carrying case only. Sad discovery, but honestly, the rest of the video put things in such good perspective for me, it was well worth that minor "damnit" moment lol. Cheers, and keep up the good work!

[Mooney]

You probably won't see this but I got Campers Tent model for a little over $100 It sewed too fast so I built a
reducing gear with a Sailrite drive gear and jack shaft to cut the speed in half. Sews fine now at slower speed.

[jimgordon]

I have a Barracuda for three years now. Done lots of sewing with Sunbrella material. Except that it sounds like a tractor, it does a very good job. I am satisfied.

[matthew]

That was an excellent review. Very objective and informative about both machines. Good editing too. I had no idea about all the similar machines being sold.

[tomvickers]

Welcome to the USA, Most of the machines on your LIST, are ACTUALLY made by the SAME company . I have a REX, and I can truly say, That I have not had even a hint of problems sewing leather, and denim. The price was. $700 LESS than the sailrite. They might order a special model, but they as I understand it, make some additional tweeks, Makes the machine run better, but also elevates the price substantially. Best of luck to you 👍

[SailingBrickHouse-RVLife]

Great video… I had a Reliable Barracuda…and never seemed to be able to keep it fixed each time I used it. Maybe it was that driver. i eventually decided that it was better to just pay the pros, and got rid of the machine. It took up a lot of space. But our Reliable did serve us well for years. Great fair unbiased review… thanks for doing it..I always kind of wondered!

[Useless_Knowledge]

Excellent review! Memories of vocational high-school came to my mind. Your product reviews 👌 and technical maintenance come across in an understandable useful instructions.

[chadsy]

i purchased a Boacraf version from China, a little bit of tinkering with the tension etc does not skip a stitch, not a bad buy for $368 Aus dollars.

[SailingMOYA]

that is a usefull video for cruisers! thank you! more of that! we all know that sand is white and palm trees green… but such a review is priceless

[albertfrank]

Good information, I had done the same research and had made a deal to buy a machine from China until I got the bid for shipping to the states . $200 for the machine and $200 in shipping, wait an unknown time and have an orphan machine. As I get older my time becomes more valuable so rather than fiddling with that mess I purchased a used Sailrite.