winter cover

[Seapepper]

I have just had made and fitted a 29ft by 18 ft cotton canvas cover for my yacht. It was made by a local lorry cover maker, and the material was recommended by an ex lorry driver. It is tremendously substantial and feels as though it will last for years. Cost??? about two and a half times the cost of those heavy duty (oh yea!) polyethylene covers advertised in the boating press. I have previously had two of the poly whatsit ones and after only one yeat each had become porous in places. My new cotton cover doesn't flog in a wind because it is so heavy and thick, is white so that in daylight I can see underneath it when working on the boat without having to rig lights. Disadvantages? It took two of us to lift it onto the boat..is that a disadvantage?
As you can see, I am delighted with it. Go see a lorry cover maker next time you want a cover for your boat.

 

[nordic_ranger]

One of the best cover stories I have read in a long while.
Great idea however.

I would rather be afloat than ashore.

 

[jonjo]

Did you drop the guardrails and mast or was this supplier to the haulage trade prepared to tailor the cover to fit around yachty bits and pieces?

 

[dickh]

I find the Plastic covers sold by www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk to last 3/4 years. With the mast down and laid on the centreline, with a substantial support over the rear pulpit, I used 2 covers overlapped about 3'. I also fitted a temporary 2" x 1" 'rail' along the top of the stanchions, well rounded on the corner, fitted with clamps to the posts. Also fitted additional eyelet holes in between the existing eyelets. With this arrangement the cover can be made taut all round without any flapping. All other potential wear points were well padded.
The covers are now on their 5th and last year. This year the boat was laid up in the boatyard with the mast up, so I again fitted the covers, but released the 4 lower shrouds so the cover can just meet at the mast. I also fitted a length of 3" x 1½" as a support from the mast to the backstay and a smaller tarpaulin over the stern.
Like all covers, wether 'plastic', heavy cotton duck or other material, the secret is to have plenty of securing ropes, NO chafe or sharp points, and well supported to give a 'tent' effect to prevent water puddling - oh and have an opening fore and aft to provide through ventilation.
If you use plastic covers, check on the quality - as seapepper states some are useless after a year - remember this and ask to see a sample. Tarpaulins direct(Bradshaws) have been around a long time and their products are good - but if I had the money I would have a tailored canvas duck cover as it 'breathes'.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[clyst]

Here's another little tip to make those cheapy tarps last a little longer----------- Take a little piece of polystyrene disc shape about 50mm dia or round pebble etc put it behind the cover, low down, and slip over a slip-knotted piece of 6mm poly prop(similar fashion to the good old suspender clips ---------ah remember those????). Then simply tie a Gallon plastic container to the line, fill with water 'till sufficient weight/tension obtained. Any amount of containers can be tied to cover to give constant tension to the cover what ever the wind strength therefore eliminating chaff .Try it you'll be amazed!!