Fabrication of daily use sun cover for Avon or similar.

[mocruising]

We see many inflatable tenders with permanent UV/chafe covers on their tubes. We have an overall sun cover for when we leave the boat. We are in the process of ordering one but are at a bit of a loss of how to attach it both on the inner and outer tubes. Velcro has been suggested. What is the general concensus.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Those I've seen stay in place by the balance of tensions between two draw-cords, one on the outside lower edge and the other on the inner, both below the waistline, neither being able to get past this, the broadest line. I have seen a few though augmented by tapes going under aero deck floors.

 

[GrahamM376]

Depends on the profile of the rubbing strake, some have an inverted gutter section so wide plastic clips can be used, held to the cover with bungy cord or, as Steve says, draw cords all around. The simplest way though is with "hook & loop" (Velcro) which can be glued in sections along the tubes, inside and out, where needed.

 

[SandraMennem]

We have made two dinghy covers or 'chaps' as they are also referred to in the past three years. From our experience, we would recommend the following.

1) If the profile of the dinghy works, a drawstring around the outside will hold it in place. However, it is essential to then reinstate a rubbing strip of some kind as the cover will abrade through in no time at all. We learnt this with our first cover.

2) The alternative fixing method is using heavy duty hook & loop tape, fitting the cover above the rubbing strip. However, DO NOT simply use self-adhesive tape, even if it is glued onto the dinghy with the appropriate glue. What you need to do is sew the tape onto a section of PVC or Hypalon (depending on the dinghy material) and then glue the section on using two-part adhesive. It is tedious but it is the only way hook and loop will stay on the dinghy, and then just sew the opposite side onto the cover.

Have a look at www.sailrite.com which has lots of info and instructions on how to make a cover.

Good luck - you will have a great sense of satisfaction when it is completed!

 

[GrahamM376]

2) The alternative fixing method is using heavy duty hook & loop tape, fitting the cover above the rubbing strip. However, DO NOT simply use self-adhesive tape, even if it is glued onto the dinghy with the appropriate glue. What you need to do is sew the tape onto a section of PVC or Hypalon (depending on the dinghy material) and then glue the section on using two-part adhesive. It is tedious but it is the only way hook and loop will stay on the dinghy, and then just sew the opposite side onto the cover.

I would agree with not using self adhesive hook & loop but have found the 1 part PVC glue sticks the non-self adhesive type on well. I just apply adhesive to back of the hook and loop and then place on the tube whilst adhesive is still wet. Have had no problems with it coming off, with daily use 9/12.

 

[duncan99210]

If you look at the blogs from the winter, you can see how we made a cover for the tender. We used bungy cord round the outside, fixed to the towing eye at the bow, led round the tubes at the stern to eyes on the transom/ Inside, there are cords under the aero deck at the bow and a bungy led through eyes on the inside of the transom at the stern. Seems to work well at the moment.