Pattern making material

[KAM]

I'm going to make a small cockpit tent. What's the best material to make a pattern and hold the seams. I don't want something rigid as I want to see how it folds up.

 

[The Q]

Thick wallpaper lining paper, reinforced by sellotape. Would be my suggestion, you might have to join bits together to get the correct width of cover material.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I was thinking of a 1/2 mm thick cardboard thick enough to retain is shape but thin enough to allow easy bending

 

[PetiteFleur]

You can buy specific material for making patterns - which I used when I made my cockpit cover. Can't remember what it is called - I used Kayospruce from memory, not expensive either. I did go around a marina looking at covers to see the way to make it.

 

[Martin_J]

I have always used the cheap blue plasticky tarpaulin material that you can get from any hardware store..

It doesn't stretch so holds the shape well.

Tie the stainless arches into the correct angles to start with. Cover the tops of each with a line of insulating tape, then put a line of double sided 'venture' tape over the top of that.

Stretch one panel out then trim off the excess. Place another line of double sided tape over the top edges again and you'll be able to stretch out the second piece of tarpaulin etc.

You should end up with something like this for the sprayhood...



And like this for the tent...



By drawing lines along where all the seams will be, you can then peal the whole lot off and then cut along the lines to get your pattern pieces.

You might already have seen the Sailrite videos. If not then worth a look..

Oh and back to the original question...

You could buy 'patterning material' from somewhere like Profabrics..

PE1 - Polyethylene Sheeting (Patterning fabric)

 

[Martin_J]

If you check out the other Sailrite videos, you will also find ones on bimini construction and even one on adding a piece to the aft edge of the sprayhood (aka. dodger) for the attachment to a bimini.

 

[KAM]

Thanks Martin excellent tips.

 

[Martin_J]

And in case you miss the bit in the video that explains why I put insulating tape over the bows (stainless frame) before sticking the double sided tape on top...

It's because if you stick the double sided tape directly to the top edge of the bows... it's a right pain to remove because of it's stickiness..

Insulating tape will peal away from the stainless easily and the double sided tape can also be easily removed from the tarpaulin material.

 

[lustyd]

B&Q have a clear reinforced tarp in various sizes and not too pricey. I cut these up and use them with strapping tape, double sided tape and sharpies to make patterns.

TRANSPARENT CLEAR Tarpaulin Heavy Duty Waterproof Cover Tarp Ground Sheet Mesh 5m x 6m

 

[Martin_J]

I guess the clear makes it a bit brighter inside... but the blue version is available in-store...

Blue Tarpaulin, (L)5m (W)4m

 

[lustyd]

I guess the clear makes it a bit brighter inside... but the blue version is available in-store...

Blue Tarpaulin, (L)5m (W)4m

The clear is in store too in the stores I’ve used. The benefit of clear is seeing what you’re patterning so can be a bit more accurate. The reinforcement means zero stretch and it doesn’t fray like cheap tarps when you cut it.

 

[Refueler]

I'm going to make a small cockpit tent. What's the best material to make a pattern and hold the seams. I don't want something rigid as I want to see how it folds up.

Here's Pavilosta Guys making a new sprayhood for my boats ... old was too bad as template ....

Its thickish but easily managed plastic sheet .... as the pieces are bent and matched - its taped and marker pen used ...

 

[lustyd]

Its thickish but easily managed plastic sheet

It’s essentially identical to the clear tarp I linked but they probably buy it in rolls as it’s used in construction too. I buy it in tarp form as it’s more convenient to buy that way

 

[KAM]

Any tips for mocking up the tubes. PVC?

 

[Martin_J]

The pattern really needs to be made on the actual tubes that will be in use..

I think any tubes with any flex or even of a different diameter will reduce the accuracy of the pattern pieces.

If you're just trying to get an idea of what it would look like, perhaps take a few photos of the boat and then draw your ideas on them...

 

[lustyd]

Depends on the boat and the tent design. Ideally finalise tubes before making the pattern unless it’s really simple.
Ours is one pole fore and aft so quite simple. I’ve previously used GRP rods which are like tent poles and can bend nicely. If planning a frame with steel tubes I guess plastic pipe to mock up the shape first then install the stainless tubes and finally pattern and make the cover.

 

[KAM]

I was wanting to mock up the tubes and check geometry before cutting metal. Although I might just use tent tubes as the tent will be mounted on a very rigid grip sprayhood.

 

[lustyd]

Probably PVC pipe then, the JG push fit stuff comes in thin diameters that may work

 

[Neeves]

Probably PVC pipe then, the JG push fit stuff comes in thin diameters that may work

PVC pipe can work quite well, electrical conducting, and you can get taps and dies for plastic piping so you can screw it together. JG is excellent but its marine so costs more.

Jonathan

 

[lustyd]

JG is excellent but its marine

No it’s not it’s the most generic brand available at any DIY store, nothing to do with marine.