Skipper tutored me through making a duck cloth dust cover for VICTORY, it will be used to keep out tree bits and critters, also for road trips. Sewn together with 100% cotton duck cloth 8.85 oz/yd, UV resistant thread, with 1 inch webbing tie down tabs and a gunwale drawstring. We purchased the fabric from Joanns, the webbing and thread from Sailrite and the drawstring/tiedown line (clothesline) from Walmart. The sewing machine is a Sailrite LSZ-1, which sews straight and zig zag stitching.
We cut two 6 yard pieces of 60 inch wide duck cloth.
Made a center seam with double backed seam tape.
10 foot wide by 18 foot long blank.
Stitched the center seam, we used a Sailrite LSZ-1, 5mm zig zag.
Took the cover out to Dabber to mark stem, gunwales and transom, side overlap and seam allowance.
Cut reinforcement panels for the stem and transom. Turned under edges and stitched. Used seam tape to attach panels then sewed reinforcement panel to underside of the cover. Realized the panel is in wrong spot, rip out the seam and reattached to correct spot. We used the Skipper's Sailrite LSZ-1, straight stitch with UV resistant thread.
First fitting of stem, Skipper gathered the excess and we sewed down the gathers from underneath to form "darts."
First fitting to check heighth of drawstring pocket. We cut the overlap 8 inches down, with a planned allowance for a 1/2 inch seam and a 2 1/2 inch pocket, so the finished cover will overlap the sides by 5 inches.
Marked the cover for tiedown tabs, one tab on the bow, one 1 foot back, then spaced 2 feet apart to the transom, and 4 on the transom.
Turned under a 1/2 inch seam so the raw edge doesn't show, and provide good fabric to sew through. Pressed the seam with a steam iron.
Turned under a 2 1/2 inch seam for the drawstring pocket, pressed it down with a steam iron.
Opened a V notch in the middle of the transom drawstring pocket for the drawstring to exit.
Sewed the edge of the V notch BEFORE sewing the drawstring pocket, this is where the pocket is OPEN for the ends of the drawstring to exit.
Drawstring pocket V notch seam.
50 feet of line is plenty. This line is from WalMart and will last a while, and only cost about 4 dollars.
We started closing up the drawstring pocket at the bow, it is easiest to lay the line in the pocket and then sew the seam. It would have been even easier to start at one side of the transom pocket with about 5 feet of line hanging out and go all the way around the edge.
Port side of the drawstring pocket finished. The Sailrite LSZ-1 was very tolerant of my rookie sewing effort. I even got to wind bobbins! Tip: Wind several bobbins before sewing to avoid having to rethread the machine halfway through a project.
Skipper used the Sailrite Edge hot knife to cut the tiedown tabs, her second favorite thing behind pasting.
Tiedown tabs, with 2 rows of stitching. Note the extra stitching for the reinforcement panel for the stem.
Starboard side of the cover. Tiedown tabs, with 2 rows of stitching. We tie the tiedown line with a bowline on the port side of the trailer, usually the road side, the starboard side has a slip knot or some half hitches. This way if we have to untie the cover while on the shoulder we will not be on the road side with traffic. Now if you live in the UK...
Port side of the cover. Tiedown tabs, with 2 rows of stitching. We tie the tiedown line with a bowline on the port side of the trailer, usually the road side.
Before we hit the road we tuck the loose ends of the tiedowns up under the drawstring pocket, there is enough tension to secure the lines and keep them from whipping the finish off of the boat. In other news, ST. JACQUES' Sunbrella cover still looks great after a year of use and 2 tropical storms. And in case you're wondering, that tarp is stuffed in the outboard cutout to keep VICTORY from becoming a critter condo.
Now before you run out and buy duck, please understand what is is and isn't good for...Skipper wanted a nice dust cover for VICTORY's road trip to her new homeport in North Carolina, she wanted to keep the price under $75 USD. We bought 100% cotton duck from Joanns Fabric at the store, it is available online as well. Used a 60 percent off coupon on one cut and a 40 percent on the other cut, we needed 6 yards per panel and you can't get 12 yards from a 10 yard bolt. For those thinking of a project like this make sure to get the correct width and weight, in our case 59 inches and 8.85 oz/yd. Colored duck cloth is not color fast we use natural or bleached now, vs watching the color bleed onto the boat after a rain shower (Reference the maroon cover on ONKAHYE in 1996). The duck will also mildew over time and the stains will not likely come out, that is why we use it for a dust cover or road cover that is not out in the weather long term. Duck is not water resistant or waxed, so it would not make a good outside cover. For mildew resistance, breathability, water repellency, ease of cleaning and long term outdoor durability, the better choice is marine grade Sunbrella. FMI: Duck https://www.joann.com/jo-ann-stores-duck.../prd23683.html
FMI: Sunbrella https://www.sailrite.com/Sunbrella-6001-0000-Pacific-Blue-60
Cheers
Kent and Skipper
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