Boat Covers in the Med

[petem]

When we bought out boat 3 years ago (where has that time gone?!) the covers were in pretty good condition. However, two summers in the Med and some nasty storms have already taken their toll. Currently the forward clear sections are going brown and brittle as are the rear screens. Some of the stitching is also coming undone and the hood has tightened in the sun.

When we are on board, we keep the bimini up (which I think has a couple of years left in it) and roll up or remove all of the window sections. We never drive the boat looking thought the clear sections.

I can get the stitching repaired for a couple of hundred €'s but replacing windows costs around €200 a section (so €600 to repair the most knackered ones).

Note that in between visits we leave the boat with all the covers in place (UK style).

So I'm wondering what the best course of action is going forwards. Should I invest in a tonneau cover for the winter months? Should I leave the boat 'open' in between visits and perhaps invest in a dashboard cover?

Should I get new covers made in the UK or do they require fitting?

Any thoughts / opinions welcome.

 

[julians]

Use a tonneau whenever you leave the boat, not just over winter, save the actual canopies for when you are on board.

 

[julians]

And ideally get a tonneau that covers the windscreen to reduce the amount of sun on the interior

 

[petem]

Use a tonneau whenever you leave the boat, not just over winter, save the actual canopies for when you are on board.

The problem with that is we often arrive late and leave early and the last thing we'd want to do is wrestle with a big tonneau cover so that we can move around the cockpit. W don't all own villas in the sun you know

 

[NGM]

The problem with that is we often arrive late and leave early and the last thing we'd want to do is wrestle with a big tonneau cover so that we can move around the cockpit. W don't all own villas in the sun you know

It's by far the best option, you want a winter type cover to completely protect the boat from the sun when you are not there it will also save your summer covers.
You must be able to get the marinero to do this for you for a small fee whenever you arrive late/leave early.

 

[petem]

It's by far the best option, you want a winter type cover to completely protect the boat from the sun when you are not there it will also save your summer covers.
You must be able to get the marinero to do this for you for a small fee whenever you arrive late/leave early.

I like your thinking! I can ask the girl who looks after the boat to sort it out. Any idea what I'd pay for a T34 tonneau?

 

[NGM]

I like your thinking! I can ask the girl who looks after the boat to sort it out. Any idea what I'd pay for a T34 tonneau?

no idea, I've had loads of covers made and I always find then painfully more expensive than I expected. Most of the cover guys stitch a business card onto the corner, worth walking around the marina and calling for various quotes. You'll be lucky to get done in July and August will be closed.

 

[BruceK]

I like your thinking! I can ask the girl who looks after the boat to sort it out. Any idea what I'd pay for a T34 tonneau?

Mine of similar size cost 1.2k inclusive. I understand your dilemma. Getting the tonneau on is very quick and easy. Dismantling the canopy and poles is a mission. I've compromised. I leave the poles in and remove the sides of the bimini top. Collapse the poles forward with bimini still attached and roll up and lash down the bimini top and frame to the radar arch. YMMV according to your setup

 

[julians]

I just paid 800 euro for one for my boat, so guessing 1000 euro for yours.

You can do it cheaper, it depends what material you choose to use.

 

[kashurst]

As a comparison, I had a targa 43 that I took to the med with 1 year old covers, windows etc. They were still OK after at least 5 years in the med sun. There are different grades of clear material - some is clearly better than others. It could be your covers are older and the sun has finished them off. I used to fit the full canopy over the winter then come May-June I would remove all the window sections and not refit them until end September. I also usually left all the seats etc out as well, then when we turned up just give it a good jet wash to get the sand off. It doesn't rain much after May. I would get a few prices for a brand new canopy - they are usually a lot cheaper in the med than the UK.

 

[Hurricane]

On the window problem.
I'm afraid that the plastic window material doesn't last in the Med sunshine.
Going brown and brittle seems to be the symptom.

GSL on this forum has paid to have Sunbrella flaps that cover the windows when he isn't there.
I think that would make the plastic windows last longer.

I have just finished making a complete set of cockpit covers for our P67.
Yet to see if they fit!!!
But I left the window bit to the end and it really wasn't that difficult to fit the three windows.
It needed two of us - one to sew and one to hold the whole panel/cover.
I measured my old windows and used the same thickness (.5mm).
I bought my window material from Point North (Profabrics) - here's a link:-
https://www.profabrics.co.uk/products/clear-window-pvc-medium-weight
As you can see the material is £6.25 +VAT and delivery for a lineal metre (1370mm wide).
So from that you could judge the costs for a local canvas man to fit the windows.
It shouldn't be that much.
Unpick the old ones and sew in new ones.

Restitching
Thats a difficult one and depends on the quality of the thread originally used.
I've not had problems with the stitching on any of my covers.
Maybe some TLC here and there would see a few more years use.
But rather than restitching, I think I would make new ones.

A tonneau cover sounds a good idea but after shelling out on a tonneau, how close would you be to a completely new set of covers - and then just keep the old ones for the winter.
Remember those photos of JW's old winter cockpit covers - I made them last by using the new ones for the summer only.

 

[MapisM]

A tonneau cover sounds a good idea but after shelling out on a tonneau, how close would you be to a completely new set of covers - and then just keep the old ones for the winter.

There's more to be said for a tonneau in a boat like the T34, M.
In my old and similar Cranchi 34, the tonneau went above the whole windshield, hence protecting the whole cockpit not only from rain, but also sunlight.
Well worth every cent imho, also for usage during the season (back then, I went to the boat every other weekend, on average).
It does take a bit more time of course, but on an open boat the much better protection does make a difference.
And with open boats, the hassle of dealing with covers comes with the territory anyhow...

PS for petem: should you go for a tonneau, avoid blue like the plague.
You can choose any colour you like, as long as it's white!

 

[GSL]

I believe that the clear windows deteriorate very quickly when left open to the elements in Spain because Sahara sand lands on them during windy periods, and then the next solid sunshine actually burns the minute little particles into the "plastic" causing the browning and discolouration.

There is also probably a slight magnification of the strength of the Sun because it is going through the particles. Also when moisture / light rain has effectively washed the sand particles further down to the lower edges of the clear panel, that is why so many boats show worse deterioration along the lower edges of the panels.

That's my theory anyway, and as Mike says, I now have over-covers that go over everything when we are away from the boat. So far the clear panels are in excellent condition with no blemishes at all after 2 - 3 seasons.

I have traded a car park space and access to Now TV and Virgin Media to a semi permanent resident in the Marina, who removes the covers before we arrive, hooks up the water and turns the water heater on, sets the air conditioning, opens some windows and turns on the refrigerator. Much nicer, especially late at night.

GL

 

[petem]

There's more to be said for a tonneau in a boat like the T34, M.
In my old and similar Cranchi 34, the tonneau went above the whole windshield, hence protecting the whole cockpit not only from rain, but also sunlight.
Well worth every cent imho, also for usage during the season (back then, I went to the boat every other weekend, on average).
It does take a bit more time of course, but on an open boat the much better protection does make a difference.
And with open boats, the hassle of dealing with covers comes with the territory anyhow...

I already have the fittings for a tonneau below the windscreen so suspect it's had one at some point.

PS for petem: should you go for a tonneau, avoid blue like the plague.
You can choose any colour you like, as long as it's white!

OMDB!

 

[BruceK]

just dont go for charcoal grey like me. It looks fetching until the gulls think it's a rock and roost!

 

[MapisM]

OMDB!

Oi, as if I suggested to swap the FL for a Cranchi.

Trust me P, it ain't a matter of aesthetics: in the Med, very light colours are the only logical choice generally speaking, and even more so for a tonneau, whose colour can account for a 10+ degrees difference underneath, together with higher humidity.
Anything dark speaks volumes about poor experience, rather than refined tastes... When in Rome, etc. :encouragement:

 

[BruceK]

Oi, as if I suggested to swap the FL for a Cranchi.

Trust me P, it ain't a matter of aesthetics: in the Med, very light colours are the only logical choice generally speaking, and even more so for a tonneau, whose colour can account for a 10+ degrees difference underneath, together with higher humidity.
Anything dark speaks volumes about poor experience, rather than refined tastes... When in Rome, etc. :encouragement:

Well poor experience I may have but 10+ deg is a boon here in our cold winters and mild summers. Key to a tonneau is good ventilation. If it doesn't black mould is our result. To that extent mine overlaps the front windows but doesn't quite enclose them. (Bit like a roof eve) At the back it does similar over the transom door. As it warms up it draws air up from the transom out the front. Well that's the theory at least. Appears to work as I've never taken it off to find it wet underneath

 

[MapisM]

I was talking of the Med, 'cause that's where petem keeps his boat.
Down here, the 10 degrees difference can easily mean 50 vs 40, if not more.
I appreciate that when in Anchorage (or wherever), doing as the Romans do isn't a good idea!

 

[BruceK]

I was talking of the Med, 'cause that's where petem keeps his boat.
Down here, the 10 degrees difference can easily mean 50 vs 40, if not more.
I appreciate that when in Anchorage (or wherever), doing as the Romans do isn't a good idea!

Ya I know. I'm still smarting over my previous gaffe re pink lights. I hold you entirely responsible for my embarrassment. Just sayin

 

[MapisM]

Well, there are always two sides in all coins.
As a tightwad that would never spend anything on u/w light, your comment made me proud of my un-pimped ride for a moment... :encouragement: