Lee Cloth

snorkmaiden

snorkmaiden

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I am making a new lee cloth for our Sadler 29. Any suggestions for how heavy the canvas needs to be and any favorite suppliers? I don't need much - approx 2m x 1.2m so if anyone has spare I'd pay postage. I am making up the design as I go along, so any comments appreciated. I am guessing the height of the cloth - around 700mm above horizontal for the anchor points, with another 2 at base level.
 
I can't help on the choice of canvas or suppliers but I can measure the leecloth on our Sadler 29 for you the next time I'm on board if that would be of any help ?
 
Lee cloths

Since overnight racing finished I have not used lee cloths much and no longer even have them, but prior to that I slept behind them in all sorts of weather. We did later use them on the pilot berths of our Sigma 38 sometimes if some one was sleeping in them even in harbour but it was mainly for the protection of the body on the bunk below.
Canvas; as heavy as you can sew, well hemmed and perhaps taped to strengthen the edges, does not need to be too broad unless you want total enclosure, about a foot above the cushion when deployed is plenty. Do not make them the full length of the bunk about a foot short at each end so that the lanyards can pull them tight and you can see past them. (nice to be able to see out and the working crew can check if you are still alive)
Fixings; eyes as high as you can reach when in the bunk, and over the bunk. bottom fixing is probably best achieved by a continuous batten under the cushion with plenty of screws, can be a problem if there are large removable panels under the bunk.
Lanyards; use large ss rings on the top corners of the cloths, reinforce with sewn tape like a sail clew, long enough cords to give at least three turns through the eyes for purchase and easy to tie off where you can reach to adjust or undo quickly when in the bunk. Sooner or later you will need to get out in a hurry.
Everything needs to be strong, when you are sleeping up to weather you need to be sure a big wave is not going to dump you on the floor or you will never get to sleep.
 
I had one which I assume was put in by the builder, it is made from a PVC backed cloth. Almost any material is strong enough for the job, but I used a natural canvas bought from a local sailmaker for the second lee cloth. As you say, it is so small, price hardly matters.
The cloth has worked well, it did discolour once and showed signs of damp spots (although my boat is pretty dry within). I took it off and scrubbed it in seawater and rinsed it in fresh and it has been fine since (10yrs). I guess acrylic canvas would be excellent but I like the feel of the natural, it sews very well.
I hemmed the material all round and secured it at the back of the bunk base (ie at the edge by the hull) with a row of self tappers with washers. In this way the sleeper has his full weight on the cloth to hold it secure. Lanyards are secured at each corner with brass eylets, though D rings or tapes would be much better. The fixings were already screwed in place, I would like to through bolt them for strength and move them a little outboard. Having the fixings outboard of the bunk edge would lift the cushion and provide extra support, and feeling of security to the sleeper.
When not in use it folds under and can lie at the back of the bunk so does not get in the way of stowage.
I don't use the lee cloths a lot but they can be handy in a rolly anchorage and are also great for storing stuff securely when underway in bumpy weather.
PS
How are you getting on with your Digital Yacht plotter? Have you used it in anger yet?
 
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My experience with netting lee cloths was not good; the material was very stretchy. As a result of this, and also the fact that the cloth was secured along the edge of the bunk and not under the mattress as per doug748's excellent set up, I rolled off the bunk but was still secured in the lee cloth. It wasn't comfortable. Like this:
 
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Alternative To Lee Cloths

I sailed on a boat that had a bunk made from two aluminium poles with canvas stitched between. The poles were in two halfs and slotted together, fed through canvas sleeves and dropped into half moon cups on the forward and aft bulkhead. Very secure and comfy and easier to use than lee cloths. When in harbour they stowed away behind the saloon seat back rest. They canvas sagged about 1' below the top of poles.

Food for thought.
 
Mine (as fitted by the builders). Canvas. Base secured to a batten under the cushion. Top has a channel for a cord with an eye underneath at each end. The cord runs out to SS bolts then back to the eyes and secured with half hitches. This allows it to be stretched really tight. The eye bolts are roughly twice the height of the cloth. The cloth is roughly half the length of the bunk. Perhaps a bit more.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
I sailed on a boat that had a bunk made from two aluminium poles with canvas stitched between.
Click to expand...

Pipe cots. We have 'em in the watch cabins on Stavros.

The smaller cabins for volunteers have proper bunks with mattresses, but when it's rough it's not uncommon to find deckies, cooks, watchleaders etc sneaking into spare pipe cots with the watches because they're easier to sleep in.

Pete
 
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