Respray time - how to build a canopy...?

MagicalArmchair

MagicalArmchair

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Hello all,

After years of trying this polish and that polymer coating, the time has come to concede defeat on Triolas 1970s blue gelcoat topsides and go for a respray. Does anyone have any suggestions where, over winter, I could put the boat for a couple of weeks undercover to do the work that would not cost the earth on the river Medway? Failing that, does anyone have any suggestions for creating a polytunnel around the boat so I can respray her underneath?

As ever, thanks for your suggestions...

Mark
www.albinballad.co.uk
 
I've tried this. Avocet's in the garden awaiting a respray. I already had some scaffold poles bashed into the ground to carry some cross bars that I can rest planks on to work on the topsides. To these, I just cable-tied (very big cable tied!) some 20mm steel tube, bent into a series of arches. From the tops of these I slung the roller reefing extrusion to act as an apex, and laced washing line all over them. I then got a roll of builder's plastic scaffolding sheet (clear plastic reinforced with a square nylon mesh) and made the tent with that.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scaffold-...9648?pt=UK_H_G_Ladders_RL&hash=item2ec8d57bb0

HOWEVER:
1. almost no matter how you support the "roof", water WILL collect somewhere (and make it sag further and further - encouraging even more water to collect);
2. being built over earth, and various weeds, the humidity in the tent actually went UP compared to outside it;
3. I live in a pretty windy spot and the wind ultimately killed off the sheeting.

It's perfectly possible to make something good, but I think you need a lot more supports than I used AND it's essential not to have any edges that the wind can get under.
 
There was a purpose built 'Tent' for sale on Boats and Outboards which would do exactly what you want. nice looking bit of kit and you would probably be able to sell it on afterwards.

yoda
 
I don't know how big your boat is but on eBay there are 3 x 9meter gazebo marques. I intend to lengthen the legs of one and erect it over my whole boat for a revarnish job. Worth a thought. They're about £90.
 
HandmadeMatt said:
I don't know how big your boat is but on eBay there are 3 x 9meter gazebo marques. I intend to lengthen the legs of one and erect it over my whole boat for a revarnish job. Worth a thought. They're about £90.
Click to expand...

What a cracking idea - 9m would be a bit short as Triola is a little over that, however it would appear that there are some 12 meter ones out there too. It'd only be up for a few weeks, and as Yoda says, I could always sell it on afterwards. Thanks Yoda, I'll have a look to see if I can find the purpose built tent too and report back on my findings.

Thanks for the help.
 
MagicalArmchair said:
What a cracking idea ...Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

Brilliant, you're welcome. They even have removable sides. It's something that I intend to pack away for future work and not sell on. It's a wooden boat so I'll need it!
Let us know how much the "proper" tent costs as well out of interest.
I've just introduced myself here with info about my boat, if you want to have a look there's a heap of pictures and some info:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-a-dinghy-sailer-Introductions-and-a-question

Cheers.
 
Here's a photo of the gazebo over my boat without the side panels on.
I've strapped it down with extra straps and feel good about the fact that it's sheltered by the tall hedge and the house.
(I obviously had to make the legs longer as well.)

P1160014_zps61989258.jpg


P1160015_zpsfb95631d.jpg


During painting today it rained a few times. I put some sides on and it worked really well.

P1180004_zpsb1d63b7a.jpg
 
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