Yacht Covers

[neil1967]

When we bought our yacht, it came with a two-piece cover that fitted over the boom and comes down just short of the toe rails (as far as I can tell). We have never used it as we've either been sailing, or regularly work on the boat over the winter. However, this winter she is in Port Solent on the hard and we are in the Netherlands. I am considering putting on the cover at Christmas until we launch in late march, to hopefully reduce the muck on the teak decks. Is it worth it and will the additional windage case any problems (Port Solent use wooden props and a mesh of wooden lathes, rather than cradles).

Thanks

Neil

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Check with the yard. The one that I use (Malta) will not even lift the boat unless the genoa is first removed from the furler! Boats that have been blown over are not a pretty sight.

 

[sarabande]

I am very surprised that wooden propping is still acceptable in marinas. A steel cradle is cheap relative to the value of the boat, and is an investment. Perhaps your insurance company can give an opinion.

Any cover will protect from rain and birds, and properly set up and regularly checked, will minimise extra windage. Well worth the trouble.

Best practice is also to remove the mast to avoid wind-induced oscillations and vibration.


Do you have someone who can check the boat once every couple of weeks or so ?

 

[yoda]

The answer is that yes it is worth it. Of course you must check with the yard. I would be looking to minimise any other windage and simple things like wrapping a halyard round the forestay will act as a vortex shredder and help prevent vibrations. A good all over cover that comes down to the deck edge all round seems to have little effect from a windage pont of view because the wind doesn't get under it and cause vibration, one of the main causes of problems with yachts falling over in yards.

Yoda