Boat Covers

 28 Jun 22:

When we do have time to go boating, the last thing we want to do is have to clean the boat before heading out. Here's some of the reasons we like boat covers, they keep yard debris, tree bits and bird poop off of the boat. Another important feature is that a well fit cover will keep critters from turning the boat into a condo.

We like covers made from Sunbrella. Sunbrella fabrics are designed to be breathable, so they are water repellent but not completely waterproof. It is important to ensure that air can circulate, so that a cover does not create a mildew factory, and the boat can dry out if it gets wet. For the same reasons we don't store sails on our boats long term.

Sorg Runabout WILLOW 06 Jul 20 Boat Cover Features

06 Jul 20:

Sorg Runabout WILLOW Boat Cover Features

Video Link: https://youtu.be/qMV3cSrNpZE



Log of WILLOW.

Sorg Runabout WILLOW 09 Oct 19 Storm Cover

09 Oct 19:

Lots of tropical disturbances boiling up in the Gulf, so we pulled WILLOW off the lift and put her under cover. We thought we were going to move her up to the Tidewater area but we couldn't get insurance written on her up there, as they just had Dorian go through a few days earlier. Ironic. The cover is holding up great, it's about 4 years old now, we snapped a few photos of the boat for insurance purposes, living near the ater is awesome!

Storm Prep Notes

10 Jul 19:

We expected rain from Hurricane Barry, outer bands as it came ashore 200 miles Wst of us, so we made the rounds of the Boat Works and Marine to check on the Fleet. No winds over 30 were expected so we didn't need to get boats off of the lifts but we did want to put Willow's cover back on.

Skipper heading out to check on our Day Sailer II CYANE. We keep a line on each side tied to the strap lift pilings so winds don't rock her in her sling cradle. We use the bow line on the port side to cleats and a spare Sunfish sheet on the starboard. Her straps are set to give her a stern down tilt, we make sure the self bailer drain is open and not clogged. She also has a small dodger covering the cuddy opening and the bilge inspection ports to keep a deluge out of there.

Vacuumed out a little rainwater, WILLOW needs a rinse to get out some dirt and sand and then maybe a recoat of Cetol. That's what she got 5 years ago and it has held up well. We'll research that a bit but we want something that lets the wood breathe a bit, not wanting to totally encapsulate the wood with paint on the outside and have her sealed up inside as well.

When the cover goes on WILLOW we move the gas cans from under the seat to the side, this lets more air flow through the bilge and we don't create a dark, damp area with minimal airflow. The battery case gets moved up off the bilge as well. We pay special attention to the floor when we wet vac, the frames are doubled up down there and there are a lot of nooks and crannies for sand, leaves, etc... to gum up the works. We don't want muddy beaches to form and hold moisture against the wood, rot will follow.

Our special tie down knot, a slip knot with the tail of the line run through the loop. It might blow loose a little but it won't blow out. It is also easy to tie and untie. Leo at Uncharted Marine Canvas, Gulf Breeze, Florida, did a great job on our cover, added tie down tabs.

Oops looks like I forgot to run the tail through the loop. The cover is regular Sunbrella, it is water repellent, so it is important to get the ridgepole set, snug the drawstring and keep the tie downs tight. The Sunbrella we chose breathes, there are variants that are waterproof, but we have had mildew form under those. Every few years we should reapply 303® Fabric Guard, "it is used to restore water repellency and protect against oil-based liquids and other stains for indoor and outdoor fabric, carpet and upholstery. This water-repellent spray does not affect the color, feel or breathability of fabric, nor does it attract dirt. 303 Fabric Guard stops leaks, resists soiling and impedes mildew formation." (Sailrite)

The cover fits great, we have even trailered short distances with it on, but there is a caution that regular Sunbrella can wear thin on the road. Leo added a rub strip of fabric over the windscreen and the motor, but for long hauls a different fabric should be considered. Basically there is no One-Type-Does-All fabric, the heavier duty fabrics don't breathe as well, or may mar finishes with road flapping.

Having a tilt motor makes tightening the cover easier, I secure the bow and then loop the tie down over the trim tab or prop while the motor is tilted up, then set the ridgepole, get out of the boat and tilt the motor down to get a nice, tight tent ridge.

Sunfish Shack, covers are taut. For a bigger blow we lash the front of the dolly to the 6x6 post and tie a line around the stern to the posts aft. That's one of the reasons that the boats and dolly sit at an angle, that is their tie down spot. It also gives them a little more coverage from blowing rain and pine needles. We sell those great dollies, available for most style small boats up to 500 pounds. Contact us through a note below or through our facebook page Small Boat Restoration if you want one!

SCOUT, CLARK and SACAGAWEA are tied to the tree so they don't tumble. For big blows they go sleep in the Carriage House.

ALCORT ALC-12 Sunfish and Catfish Trailer

15 Nov 18:

Alcort sold a nice trailer to carry, Sunfish, Sailfish and adaptable for the Catfish. Bow stop, double padded bunks, cold roll tubular beam, twin leaf springs, 4.80x8 inch tires tail lights, stern roller, 500 pound capacity. The designation was ALC-12, and nowadays Trailex sells a trailer that is very similar. Prices ran from $129-142 USD.

They also sold spar bags and boat covers.

Drascombe Dabber Boat Cover

10 Jul 18:

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

Boat Covers

25 Apr 18:

We like to cover our boats when they are outside, it protects them from dust, tree sap, bird poop, pine tree needles and many other things. It also keeps critters from nesting in the boats, chewing on the sails or storing nuts in various places like a new Sunfish sail, not that that ever happened to us.... So when it is time to go sailing we can go sailing, not spend time getting the boat clean enough to use or wonder how much an new sail is going to cost.

On our Sunfish we experimented with a few different types of covers from SLO Sail and Canvas;, a Hull cover, a Spars On Deck cover and a Mast Up cover. We also experimented with a few of the different fabrics and the one we like is Sunbrella, it is not totally waterproof but it allows the boat and gear to breathe. The waterproof cover developed mildew, fast. We bought some with straps, some without. At the end of our test period, what we like the most is the Spars On deck Cover with straps, we can leave the spars on top of the boat during the sailing season. The Mast Up cover might work for some, but we like to roll our boats under a shed and the mast was too tall, you also have to untie the halyard, either on the gaff or take down the mast, which defeats the purpose. Both the Spars On Deck and Mast Up cover have pockets on the stern for the spars to fit in.

Hull cover.

Spars On Deck cover, in this picture just the mast is stored underneath, it fits nice and snug when sail and spars are on deck. It is cut a little fuller towards the bow.

Mast Up cover. Can also be used with the mast down, but there may be small leaks around the mast collar. This cover would be great if you have a week at the beach and want to leave your Sunfish down on the shore for a few days.

We incorporated several of the ideas that we liked and made a cover for our Penboscot 14. We use the sprit underneath the cover as a ridgepole and it has held up great under heavy rain and our gusty bayfront winds.

Penobscot 14 cover

Small Boat Cover for Penobscot 14

Making a cover for St. Jacques. First we bought some cheap sheets to make a pattern, used double sided tape to join them together and laid them over the boat.

Marked along the side where we want the cover to end, then added 9 inches for seam allowance, drawstring pocket and a little extra for fitting.

Ordered Sunbrella Pacific Blue fabric, thread, maul, mat, grommets and punch from Sailrite.

When we got the Sunbrella, it was wide enough that we could just lay it over St. Jacques, clamp it and mark the seam. Skipper added 1 inch for a seam allowance. We also marked the bow and aft corners.

Next Skipper sewed the darts into the corners, and we cut long 5 inch strips to make a drawstring pocket. Those were joined using a french seam.

The drawstring pocket was sewn onto the cover, with the string already laid in. Webbing was also sewn in to the seam about every 3 feet to make tiedown straps.

The cover fits great and looks awesome on St. Jacques.

We decided to skip the grommets and use webbing for tiedown points instead.

St. Jacques camping out in the Sunfish Shack, the cover worked great, kept out some rain that blew in over the weekend.