Winter cover of very light material wanted

[malva]

Hello,

after a non-existant swedish west-coast summer it is now time to find a shelter for my maxi 95 (from 1975). I invested in a Japan-canvas (transparent with sort of net of threads) which turned out completely useless. It was ripped to pieces after one season and had to be thrown away. Problem is that I find traditional canvas so heavy to lift AND since I keep the mast on a square 12x6 m is not possible. I would like to know if anybody has used for example spinnaker material (I have to sew it to fit the boat) or the like. I live in Sweden but suppose I could by material anywhere over the net.
The price is of course of interest I cannot affort moon-costumes materials and flying balloons materials are to expensive. Some sailed-out dacron sails och an out-sailedspinnaker is maybe out there somewhere.

I am open to all kinds of creative thinking here.

Thanks for any answer

Regards from Malva

 

[npf1]

Perhaps Tyvek might be suitable? It's a breathable membrane used on roofs etc by the construction industry.

 

[dickh]

Not sure of your winter conditions in Sweden, but I use Tarpaulins from 'Tarpaulins direct' see www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk They do two grades Topgrade and Monotex. I use the Topgrade, BUT with the following modifications:- I add another eyelet between the existing ones; I fit a well rounded 50x25mm piece of wood fitted to the stanchion tops; I replace the boom with a length of well rounded 100x50mm length of wood lashed to the backstay and mast, supported in the centre with a strut; another length of 100x50 from the mast to the pullpit. I then use two tarpaulins, one forward, one aft of the mast. The tarpaulins are then well lashed down with lines under the hull etc. I leave a ventilation hole fore and aft.
I find the Topgrade tarpaulins will last about 3 to 4 years when lashed down as above, but I do check them every month or so, tightening the lashings as necessary. They are relatively cheap and I replace them when worn out. The Monotex ones are more expensive but heavier. Use white or clear the you can work under them when it's raining/snowing etc.

 

[Strathglass]

I bought a 9 meter long Gazebo from B&Q about £60.
I cut the frame to narrow the ends and threw away the lower section of the legs.

I then tied the shortened legs to the stantions.

The cover goes down to about the waterline. But the vents on the original gazebo cover let in the rain.

When the cover started to chaff I got another (low cost) 12m x 9m tarpaulin from ebay and put it on top.

I now have a fully waterproof cover over the boat and can work on the deck even when the rain is lashing down.

Iain

 

[Seagreen]

Just fitted cleone with 3 (bulk pack deal) 6m x 4m Clear Monotex tarps - easy to lift and move, and as long as the frame is well padded at the chafe points, ought to be gale proof. I've given myself enough working height over the deck (about 5 feet at the highest pitch, and the boat warms up well even in weak sunshine to allow varnish to dry nicely. Cost about £100 in all including the 19x38mm pressure treated timber. The photo shows work in progress.