Mainsail covers

[Cappen Boidseye]

I am starting to think that I am a bit fik, I have a cover for my main, to attach it I have always done what the previous owner did, using a long piece of shock cord, just "sew" it through the holes to attach it to the boom/sail. It worked, but was a bit of a kerfuffle.
Now that the shock cord has died, I either by another piece, or as others have recommended, do it properly. However, their descriptions of hooks and loops just didn't make any sense to me, I fail to visualise how it is done properly,

How should I attach my sail cover without looking like a fat, balding loon?

 

[Tranona]

Many different ways of doing it depending on how it is made. If you have shock cord it could be of the type with a row of eyelets on one side and a corresponding row of hooks on the other. shock cord in and out of the eyelets to make loops which hook onto the hooks the other side. So, over the top of the boom, reach underneath, grab a loop of cord, hook on - until you have all the loops on hooks.

 

[Cappen Boidseye]

Mine has eyelets on both sides, no hooks. Is there an easy way to attach hooks to eyelets?

 

[Tranona]

The hooks have to be spaced in between the eyelets. If you need to make changes maybe better to have some webbing straps and buckles sewn on, assuming the cover is worth spending money on.

 

[Cappen Boidseye]

I think I will stick to the shock cord threaded through, it works. Ta!

 

[William_H]

Some suggestions. You can lash onto the eyelets either sister clips or male and female plastic buckles so that each pair of eyelets can be easily connected/ disconnected. This will make the whole cover a little looser however.
If it is too loose you can quite easily sew tape onto the cover putting the tape loop through the chosen plastic attachment. Use a domestic sewing machine or thin whipping twine and hand sew with needle.
As said you may be able to find hooks to fit onto the fabric so that the bungee can stay in the holes.
Or you might find it easier to securely tie a piece of cord into each eyelet on one side. Then just tie each one with reef knot or bow like tieing you shoe laces. Actually try this idea first cheap and easy. good luck olewill

 

[onesea]

You could use something like these on 1 side to make it easier? Put elastic one side and tie these between the eyelets the other?

Or if the eyelets line up sew or lash some of these on.

For me time spent taking boom covers on/ off and preparing the boat is time that could be spent sailing. It also means I am more likely to go sailing if it only takes me 5 minutes to leave the mooring.

 

[Laurie]

Then put a rope lashing down the length of it, especially on a swinging mooring...............

 

[ferrispeterchris]

If your eyelets match up how about using these.View attachment 32184

 

[MarcJ]

If your eyelets match up how about using these.View attachment 32184

I couldn't find any pre-made ones small enough for a tight fit - so bought some of these to make up with 5mm shock cord:
http://www.bouncingrabbit.co.uk/page4.htm#togs

 

[sailorman]

I couldn't find any pre-made ones small enough for a tight fit - so bought some of these to make up with 5mm shock cord:
http://www.bouncingrabbit.co.uk/page4.htm#togs

Those & the sail ties are kin dangerous & will have yer eye out.
they should never never be allowed on a boat

 

[chrishelen]

Those & the sail ties are kin dangerous & will have yer eye out.
they should never never be allowed on a boat

I was just about to say that.doooooh

 

[Croak]

Got loads on my boat, love them.

 

[rob2]

If you have eyelets down both sides, then shockcord is permanently woven down each side, but on one side a hook is threaded on between each eyelet. The hook then hooks onto the opposite loop of cord. When released it will only snap back to the cover, not in your face.

Rob.

 

[Cappen Boidseye]

You could use something like these on 1 side to make it easier? Put elastic one side and tie these between the eyelets the other?

Or if the eyelets line up sew or lash some of these on.

For me time spent taking boom covers on/ off and preparing the boat is time that could be spent sailing. It also means I am more likely to go sailing if it only takes me 5 minutes to leave the mooring.

I also resent wasting time faffing about instead of sailing. I compromise by setting off under engine, setting Eric the autohelm to point the boat at more open and less squally water (out of the Gareloch), I then sort out the wind powered engines as the boat heads out.
However since my sail cover is ill, I have been hoisting the main on the mooring and sailing off the mooring and out, no sail cover to delay me, great.

We see so little Sun that I am not going to panic over the UV damaging the sail in the short term. I like the hook/shock cord idea, I will probably get a length of shock cord for each side, stitch cord down one side and stitch shock cord down the outside of the other side with hooks threaded onto it, if it will work I will have the hooks poking through the eyelets and hooking on to loops (if needed) of shock cord coming through the opposite eyelets, depending on lengths and how much slack is required.

 

[William_H]

Those & the sail ties are kin dangerous & will have yer eye out.
they should never never be allowed on a boat

Regarding the cheap bungee cords with a wire /metal hook at each end. We had a tragedy where in a super market carpark a school kid was collecting the trolleys and used a bungee to hold the trolleys together. The bungee came off and whipped around hitting his throat cutting jugular and he was dead. Viscious things beware. olewill

 

[MarcJ]

I couldn't find any pre-made ones small enough for a tight fit - so bought some of these to make up with 5mm shock cord:
http://www.bouncingrabbit.co.uk/page4.htm#togs

I was talking about the ones with just bungie and a plastic "T" toggle....I'll be careful!

 

[Laurie]

NO. (As above, as sure as eggs is not fondue, you will have an accident)