Winter covers for 23's

[Shawn]

" I thought about building my own sunbrella cover but that would be VERY expensive.  If you figure that Sunbrella is about $30 a yard (60") piece and you would need 15-20 yards, depending on measurements. "

I'm going to trying building a DIY cover for my Sabre. Wouldn't do it with Sunbrella though, way to expensive for my almost non-existant sewing skills. Most covers are either some type of cotton duck canvas or a lighter weight material.

Dupont makes a marine version of Tyvek that is intended for covers. A seller on ebay has it for $1.43 a yard. First yard is expensive (due to shipping) but additional yards get much cheaper. I ordered 30 yards of it, cost was $61.90 delivered. Haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

I will likely start out with just a boom tent cover (to keep snow out of the cockpit) and then will try expanding it from there.

Shawn

[Tim Gardner]

I've used DuPont tyvek on my power boat for years.  I always seem to find a partial roll at a new home building site for the asking.  I use tarp clips to secure it.
Works great for our short mild winters here in Virginia.
TG

[Mas]

Have porch furniture covers made out of Tyvek, works great. It does abrade easily, but as Tim said, it's fine for our mild winters. You just need to accept that it is not a 20 year kinda cover.

Still hoping someone has a mast up cover experience on these boats.

[Shawn]

Cool, glad to hear the tyvek should work. I think the marine version is multiple layers of fabric so hopefully it will last at least a little bit longer.

Thanks,

Shawn

[Mas]

if you use shock corded tie downs it will keep it more snug relative to wind, snow, rain, etc. It also will reduce wear on the attachment points.

[Bob23]

It'll be a few weeks, but when I tuck Koinonia away in her winter pj's, I'll take some photos and post 'em here. Although it's a bit time consuming, I like my cover and the rather over complicated procedure I've invented for the framework. It's not as nice as Shawns and I may adapt his metal frame sometime, but the wood/pvc hybrid works great and is easy to fix. Plus I love the smell of the oiled canvas!
Bob23

[Bullseye22]

I have owned three boats on the Delmarva Peninsula (Tanzer 22, Cat 22 and now the ComPac23) and have used nothing more than a large poly tarp purchased from Ollies.  I take great  care to use pipe insulation secures by wire ties for areas that may have high abrasion, such as the stanchions and parts of the mast.  I know it is the cheap way, but there are more important areas to spend money on the boat.  I have never had one blow away or apart-and that is saying alot given the winds we get here on the coast.  Sometimes I can get up to 3 season out of a good tarp-it all depends on how you prep the boat and secure the tarp.

[Mas]

Hey Bullseye, thanx for the tarp suggestion. Still hoping to do a mast up cover as we are in a position to leave her on her trailer a short, no limbs or wires in way to the ramp for spring. If we ever put the mast down a mast up cover can be used as well. right now gunna try the no cover approach so can get sunlight, air, and have the solar ventilator work. Still thinking about that cover and hopefully won't regret the decision.

Noticed you are on the Delmarva. Check out the CBMWG gathering planned on the events section. Gunna have a grand time and will be good to get us 23'rs together.

[Bob23]

I tried a tarp but only got 2 seasons from it. And I wanted to stand in the cockpit during winter storage. That's when I sprung for the canvas cover that I described above. Dang if I can find a photo of it although I know I have more than a few.
Bob23

[Bullseye22]

Using the poly tarp, not only do I secure it by using the grommets, but I lash down the tarp using lines that crisscross over the tarp.  This keeps it from flopping.  Would I like a canvas cover, yes.  But is it in the budget, not at this time.

[Mas]

Ah....all your boats are whimps!  No Mas is jus gunna hang outside the winter sans cover.  (sour grapes for don't have one!)

Bullseye, you know you wanna come to the CBMWG. Better mark the calendars now! It will be a 2 1/2 hour one way trip for us and know that as the boat sails you are not far away but by car another story. Still....

[Mas]

I tried a tarp but only got 2 seasons from it. And I wanted to stand in the cockpit during winter storage. That's when I sprung for the canvas cover that I described above. Dang if I can find a photo of it although I know I have more than a few.
Bob23

So.....go take some more! Inquiring minds want to know. 

[Bob23]

Hate to say...it's not even covered yet. Christmas week. I promise.

[brackish]

It'll be a few weeks, but when I tuck Koinonia away in her winter pj's, I'll take some photos and post 'em here. Although it's a bit time consuming, I like my cover and the rather over complicated procedure I've invented for the framework. It's not as nice as Shawns and I may adapt his metal frame sometime, but the wood/pvc hybrid works great and is easy to fix. Plus I love the smell of the oiled canvas!
Bob23

For those of you who just can't stand to wait, this thread, page 11.

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=2854.150

[Mas]

Thanks brackish! Not sure if anyone really has a winer cover with mast up as most folks who would but one on their boat have hauled it to a new location. We may have to be the first, though not this year. Already shot the budget with other projects. Next year will investigate the idea of a boom tent/cover to protest cockpit and companionway and maybe a smaller separate cover for hatch area.

A preliminary estimate for a full canvas, profession mast on cover would run 2K. Not gunna happen till all other projects are done. See threads for solar, refrigeration, ground tackle, etc........!

The pressure is off now Bob23! Heck, with this weather wouldn't bother. Go sailing!