Awnings.

[Allan]

I am trying to sort out a list of improvements for my boat. One of the major expenses will be a full awning. As with most jobs I will look at both getting one made and making one ourselves (SWMBO is very good with a sewing machine) and having one made. The boat is a Westerly 33, which has a centre cockpit and aft cabin. The awning I have in mind would zip to the sprayhood then increase in height and go right over the cockpit and aft cabin. Ideally it would have removable side panels with windows. I would like to be able to drop the roof back over the aft cabin while sailing. Is it feasible to think of making it ourselve or is there somebody who makes an off-the-shelf cover? Has anyone had a similar thing made and have an idea of the cost?
Allan

 

[AliM]

Yes, I made a cockpit tent, which clips over our spray hood and over a removable frame above the pushpit. I got all the canvas from HawkeHouse - very helpful (~£150-200 for everything) and used an old Jones sewing machine (£15). We included windows from an old sprayhood which a friend was throwing out. It does not look quite professional, but not far short of it. If your wife/partner is more handy than me she should be able to make a good job of it.

 

[nimbusgb]

As a temporary measure ( to prevent us all getting nuked ) I rigged up a non folding awning on our Oceanis ( 11.5 m ) using cast stainless fittings and 316 tubing. It swallowed 4 lengths of 1" tubing and about 18 fittings. The result although functional is not ideal although fixed frame awnings are quite popular in the med.

I'll be looking to replace the frame with a folding bimini I think.

As a comparison I have just bought a complete sprayhood assembly from NV in France. They have a catalog of 'off the shelf' made to measure sprayhoods and biminis. Cost around £1200 but the quality is really excellent.

The same company quotes around 1900 Euro for the matching Bimini.

 

[Spuddy]

Question for Ali M particularly: interested in details of the removable frame you made. Something like would be just the ticket.

 

[richardm47]

I can tell you how much was paid for our similar cockpit cover. We have a 35ft HR Rasmus with fixed glass windscreen and hard-top pilot house. The cover fixes to aft end of hard-top, then goes over cockpit and steering position, then over aluminium frame, then over hatchway to aft cabin and down to fix on aft cabin top. There are 3 window panels (both sides and aft end) each with 2 side zips, so some or all sides can be rolled up in sunny weather. And the cost was £825 for a very good professional job. That cover earns its keep for many reasons, and I'll happily pay that again when the time comes to replace it. You're welcome to come and look at it if that'd help you decide what to do.

 

[Allan]

Can you tell me who made your cover, please?
Allan

 

[Twister_Ken]

What you're looking for is not so much an awning as a cockpit enclosure (aka conservatory).

 

[Tranona]

From what I have seen, home made ones, unless they come from a kit such as Martex produce for sprayhoods rarely look right. A professional will do a much better job and will have the experience to advise on the best set up. Suggest you try the Westerly owners association as I am sure somebody will have done it already. Also try CJ Marine as they are one of the biggest suppliers. However you could probably find somebody local to your boat.

 

[Spuddy]

Kind offer Richard. My boat is dissimilar so likely to be quite different tailoring. The price was enlightening. Thanks