Who can make me a sprayhood by copying the old one?

webcraft

webcraft

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Fairwinds desperately needs a new sprayhood but the only local option, Owen Sails, is prohibitively expensive.

The existing frame is good, what I want is to be able to post the old cover to someone who can make an exact copy of it.

Alternatively, if it is in Scotland I could take the frame and cover to someone.

- W
 
Most decent sprayhood makers will refuse to use an old sprayhood as a pattern. The old one will have stretched and sagged, and the end result will be disappointing.
 
webcraft said:
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Fairwinds desperately needs a new sprayhood but the only local option, Owen Sails, is prohibitively expensive.

The existing frame is good, what I want is to be able to post the old cover to someone who can make an exact copy of it.

Alternatively, if it is in Scotland I could take the frame and cover to someone.

- W
Click to expand...

Hah! having just finished making one for our own boat I can attest to the fact that the canvas workers earn every single penny of what they charge!
It's perfectly doable- but you need to be pedantic about making the pattern- it's a big nono to try and copy the old cover. Take it slowly and watch the sailrite video-all 4 hours of it-before you start.

Or get your wallet out and start eating beans...
 
Willie Leitch popped up from Tarbert and made me a new sprayhood for a very reasonable price in 2010. I can't remember what the exact cost was but I didn't flinch too much!
 
pvb said:
Most decent sprayhood makers will refuse to use an old sprayhood as a pattern. The old one will have stretched and sagged, and the end result will be disappointing.
Click to expand...
That's more or less what I was told by a cover maker. Even when I suggested I would take responsibility for the fit he didn't want to do it.

Having since had a go at repairing my sprayhood, I can't say I'm surprised. A spray hood is a very complicated construction.
 
I had an old dodger copied many years ago. A waste of money was involved. The next one the company, a different one called Quay sails at Poole visited the boat and made to measure.
 
Guess you get the picture. A spray hood really needs to be fitted to the whole boat not just the frame and I speak from experience. Penalty for having your boaty in the Highlands unfortunately?
 
My old sprayhood shrunk over the years and ultimately pulled itself to bits. I think shrinkage or stretch will depend on the original fabric. I doubt very much that it would be a reliable template for a new hood.
 
A chap in Yorkshire used to do a copy for 350 quid, he told me he used a veneer press to flatten the old parts before using them as patterns. His photographs showed the product as acceptable, to me at any rate, as I only use the things in the rain. They would not win any contest though and you can get a measured, quality item locally for maybe £550.

I think he may have retired now, someone may know. He used to specialise in Westerlies esp Centaurs.
 
Don't copy it. I had one copied by a sail maker for my last boat, they took the old one apart and used it as a pattern. The new one never fitted right and most of the press studs were slightly out of position.
I have recently had a new one made to measure on my newer larger boat, it cost twice as much but is a great fit.
Pete
 
I appreciate a long way from you, but SO31 Bags in Ensign Way, Hamble well worth getting a price from, but the comments on local fitting for a sprayhood are likely very valid.

They made a new tonneau for my last boat that was excellent and about 1/2 the price of better known firms.
 
webcraft said:
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Fairwinds desperately needs a new sprayhood but the only local option, Owen Sails, is prohibitively expensive.
Click to expand...

I don't know how much Owen Sails would charge, but I watched them measuring up for a pretty complex cockpit-cover for a vessel next to mine on the hard at Dunstaffnage. I say measuring, but in fact they constructed a template for the cover out of polythene sheet and tape and marked it up with the positions of fixings, cutouts etc., and it took the guy who was doing it at least a couple of hours. I have subsequently seen the finished product and it looks to be very satisfactory.
 
Whilst not a sprayhood, I had Gladys' wheelhouse cover replaced this winter, by Cover Magic from Harwich. The previous one had been copied from an existing cover, and Steve templated the new one aboard. The result is an absolutely phenomenal improvement in fit and finish. It's worth having it done right.
 
I am in S W Scotland and also drastically in need of a new spray hood (and matching sail bags / boom covers). I would be interested in sharing costs if anybody from the southern half of the UK was interested in making a "measuring Scottish boats" tour during the winter months.
Any sailmakers interested, any Scots or Northeners interested?
 
I too, got a quote from Owens, and finished up getting a copy made by a company in the East of Scotland, for about half the price, but I think Owens would have done a better job.
 
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