Looking to buy a boat cover. Have talked to "Fairclough Sailmakers" in CT. I have seen a number of there covers and they look real nice.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
mzenith@aol.com
Boat Covers
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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mike
Re: Boat Covers
My 25 came with a Fairclough, it is superb. The rig can stay up (or not) and the deck stays dry all winter, with plenty of ventilation & no condensation (hatches & ports all stay open). You can also work on the deck & cockpit under cover all winter. At least 15 years old and going strong, so it easily paid for itself vs. shrinkwrap; treats the boat much better as well.
zucker_m@ligo.mit.edu
Michael Heintz wrote: Looking to buy a boat cover. Have talked to "Fairclough Sailmakers" in CT. I have seen a number of there covers and they look real nice.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
zucker_m@ligo.mit.edu
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Boat Covers
Michael,
I just got off the telephone with Fairclough after visiting their web site @ fairclough.com. The gentleman I talked to said the cover for a CD-30 (mast down) would be $2250.00! Och! But I guess you get what you pay for, and I'm rapidly getting tired of the blue plastic stuff that goes away in a year or less.
I have a 3/4" electrical conduit framework for Hanalei, and cover that with the plastic stuff. The plastic stuff will cost me 50 bucks this year. Lets see, $2250 divided by 50 equals 45 years worth of plastic stuff! I might have to rethink this! But, I have seen at least one of them here in Noank, and they do look very good. Next year Carol and I are going to do the teak with Armada, maybe I'll spring for the really good cover then.
Are you out of the water yet? Hanalei was pulled about two weeks ago(after we finally got all the shaft log problem resolved)...hope it's a short winter.....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
I just got off the telephone with Fairclough after visiting their web site @ fairclough.com. The gentleman I talked to said the cover for a CD-30 (mast down) would be $2250.00! Och! But I guess you get what you pay for, and I'm rapidly getting tired of the blue plastic stuff that goes away in a year or less.
I have a 3/4" electrical conduit framework for Hanalei, and cover that with the plastic stuff. The plastic stuff will cost me 50 bucks this year. Lets see, $2250 divided by 50 equals 45 years worth of plastic stuff! I might have to rethink this! But, I have seen at least one of them here in Noank, and they do look very good. Next year Carol and I are going to do the teak with Armada, maybe I'll spring for the really good cover then.
Are you out of the water yet? Hanalei was pulled about two weeks ago(after we finally got all the shaft log problem resolved)...hope it's a short winter.....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
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Michael Heintz
Re: Boat Covers D.Stump
Dave,
Also talked to Faircloth yesterday, quoted me $2850 Mast in, with frame and installed for the first year, MK II's are beamer hence the additional cost?
Shrink wrap is $540 at my yard so it works out to 5.27 year payoff and better protection. Since we redid all topside wood this year, now might be the time.
Machts Nichts still floating, suppose to come out this week. Have to change cutless bearing, any experience with this?
Hope to be a short winter, told yard not to box me in, wana be first in!!!
Michael Heintz
s/v Machts Nichts CD 30 MK II
mzenith@aol.com
Also talked to Faircloth yesterday, quoted me $2850 Mast in, with frame and installed for the first year, MK II's are beamer hence the additional cost?
Shrink wrap is $540 at my yard so it works out to 5.27 year payoff and better protection. Since we redid all topside wood this year, now might be the time.
Machts Nichts still floating, suppose to come out this week. Have to change cutless bearing, any experience with this?
Hope to be a short winter, told yard not to box me in, wana be first in!!!
Michael Heintz
s/v Machts Nichts CD 30 MK II
mzenith@aol.com
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D. Stump Hanalei
Re: Cutlass bearing...
Michael,
Hanalei doesn't have the original fiberglas shaft log and glassed in place cutlass bearing. It was all replaced with a combination shaft log/cutlass bearing housing that is bronze and bolted to the aft edge of the keel. It is much more secure than the original fiberglas shaft log that can and will crack eventually - leading to a sinking feeling if ya get my drift. Hanalei is on-the-hard in Noank, sitting just in front of the head/shower building. You are welcome to look at it anytime if you wish. I will be there off and on both Friday and Saturday.
I believe to replace the cutlass bearing as it is on your vessel now, you have to find the two set screws that should be directly opposite each other and about 1 - 2 inches from the end of the bearing. This involves removing glass until you get to the set screws. Remove the set screws(and prop) and you should be able to then remove the cutlass bearing.
As I said, I haven't done it in the configuration you are in. Maybe some others on the site can help, and I think there was a thread about this a year or so ago on the site - maybe a search on "cutlass bearing" would help.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei
Hanalei doesn't have the original fiberglas shaft log and glassed in place cutlass bearing. It was all replaced with a combination shaft log/cutlass bearing housing that is bronze and bolted to the aft edge of the keel. It is much more secure than the original fiberglas shaft log that can and will crack eventually - leading to a sinking feeling if ya get my drift. Hanalei is on-the-hard in Noank, sitting just in front of the head/shower building. You are welcome to look at it anytime if you wish. I will be there off and on both Friday and Saturday.
I believe to replace the cutlass bearing as it is on your vessel now, you have to find the two set screws that should be directly opposite each other and about 1 - 2 inches from the end of the bearing. This involves removing glass until you get to the set screws. Remove the set screws(and prop) and you should be able to then remove the cutlass bearing.
As I said, I haven't done it in the configuration you are in. Maybe some others on the site can help, and I think there was a thread about this a year or so ago on the site - maybe a search on "cutlass bearing" would help.
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei
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Larry DeMers
Re: Boat Covers
Hi Mike, Dave, and all,
The idea of a purpose made cover sounds good until that price is mentioned. Realize that I am replacing my main and staysail this year, for $500 less than what the quoted price is for a *boat cover*!
As an alternative, I suggest this:
A caveat first; We always take our mast down, and store it aboard on three wood crutches that are tied to the boat in 4 directions each. The mast is immobile after it is set into the crutches and tied down. We also cover the mast in a cheap plastic tarp (3 ft. wide x 50 ft. long is about $5.00) that is taped to itself only. This provides a slippery surface for the cover (described beloow) to be applied, and keeps the halyards clean.
Ok, here is what we use, and it works out well. From Defender ind., we bought 2- 25x35 heavy duty canvas tarps. These are a medium grey color, are filled witha waxy substance for waterproofing, and are truly heavy. They weigh about 60 lbs each.
We place one tarp over the mast (which sits about 6 ft. over the cockpit sole) in front of the dodger, and the other goes over the mast behind the dodger. This arrangement effectively covers the boat from the bowsprit to well behind the stern pulpit. We use about 200 ft. of 1/4 in. nylon line to thread the eyelets in the canvas, and thread them under the boat, pulling fairly tight on the lines to take out any wrinkles or places water can collect.
To protect the stanchions from inward pressure, we rig a long rope across the mnast to either side of the boat, over the top lifeline, under the bottom lifeline, and through a stanchion base, then back up and over the mast to the other side. The idea is to provide a 'webbing' for the canvas to lay against, preventing the canvas from forming a pocket in high winds, which could collect rain, and freeze.
In practice, this cover sheds all snow and ice buildups because of the angle it is mounted at (determned by the height of the mast crutches..on our boat, the mast is 6 ft. + over the cockpit sole). THere are 400 other boats in our old marina, and they were all constantly being cleaned of snow, and then charged accordingly. Because of the lack of snow buildup on our boats cover, we never were charged for snow removal over the winter.
This whole cover takes maybe an hour to put into place and tie down, costs around $100 in material, and is easy to put up, take down and store. Our cover is in it's 11th season now..the crutches are in their 3rd season (2nd. set since the boat was new).
For $100 and maybe an hours work, you can get as good or better protection as the $3000 fitted covers. Of course, if your heart is set on that fitted cover, then you gotta go with your heart. But if you are a bit chagrined by the cost of those things (and they DO shrink by the way, so don't get it too tight or it will never go on in 5 years!!), this method will protect your boat very nicely.
I have some .jpg's of our crutches, that you could build yours from if interested. Just shoot me a note and I will return the mail with attachments.
About the only thing we will do different next year is to take some cheap tennis balls, slice an X into them sufficiently wide to accomodate the top of the stanchions, and place them over the stanchions. This extra little padding will prtoect the canvas from any movement of the canvas against the stanchion top.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~On the Hard in snow country..Lake Superior~~~
demers@sgi.com
The idea of a purpose made cover sounds good until that price is mentioned. Realize that I am replacing my main and staysail this year, for $500 less than what the quoted price is for a *boat cover*!
As an alternative, I suggest this:
A caveat first; We always take our mast down, and store it aboard on three wood crutches that are tied to the boat in 4 directions each. The mast is immobile after it is set into the crutches and tied down. We also cover the mast in a cheap plastic tarp (3 ft. wide x 50 ft. long is about $5.00) that is taped to itself only. This provides a slippery surface for the cover (described beloow) to be applied, and keeps the halyards clean.
Ok, here is what we use, and it works out well. From Defender ind., we bought 2- 25x35 heavy duty canvas tarps. These are a medium grey color, are filled witha waxy substance for waterproofing, and are truly heavy. They weigh about 60 lbs each.
We place one tarp over the mast (which sits about 6 ft. over the cockpit sole) in front of the dodger, and the other goes over the mast behind the dodger. This arrangement effectively covers the boat from the bowsprit to well behind the stern pulpit. We use about 200 ft. of 1/4 in. nylon line to thread the eyelets in the canvas, and thread them under the boat, pulling fairly tight on the lines to take out any wrinkles or places water can collect.
To protect the stanchions from inward pressure, we rig a long rope across the mnast to either side of the boat, over the top lifeline, under the bottom lifeline, and through a stanchion base, then back up and over the mast to the other side. The idea is to provide a 'webbing' for the canvas to lay against, preventing the canvas from forming a pocket in high winds, which could collect rain, and freeze.
In practice, this cover sheds all snow and ice buildups because of the angle it is mounted at (determned by the height of the mast crutches..on our boat, the mast is 6 ft. + over the cockpit sole). THere are 400 other boats in our old marina, and they were all constantly being cleaned of snow, and then charged accordingly. Because of the lack of snow buildup on our boats cover, we never were charged for snow removal over the winter.
This whole cover takes maybe an hour to put into place and tie down, costs around $100 in material, and is easy to put up, take down and store. Our cover is in it's 11th season now..the crutches are in their 3rd season (2nd. set since the boat was new).
For $100 and maybe an hours work, you can get as good or better protection as the $3000 fitted covers. Of course, if your heart is set on that fitted cover, then you gotta go with your heart. But if you are a bit chagrined by the cost of those things (and they DO shrink by the way, so don't get it too tight or it will never go on in 5 years!!), this method will protect your boat very nicely.
I have some .jpg's of our crutches, that you could build yours from if interested. Just shoot me a note and I will return the mail with attachments.
About the only thing we will do different next year is to take some cheap tennis balls, slice an X into them sufficiently wide to accomodate the top of the stanchions, and place them over the stanchions. This extra little padding will prtoect the canvas from any movement of the canvas against the stanchion top.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~On the Hard in snow country..Lake Superior~~~
Michael Heintz wrote: Looking to buy a boat cover. Have talked to "Fairclough Sailmakers" in CT. I have seen a number of there covers and they look real nice.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
demers@sgi.com
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Kurt
Winter Cover for a CD26
I lay the mast down horizontally on my CD26 supporting it at the bow pulpit, stern pulpit and at the mast step (with a piece of wood). Then I remove the stanchions and life lines which takes about 10 minutes. Finally, I lay a 12X28 canvas tarp over the mast "pup tent" style. Tie it off with 1/4" nylon. A 12-14 oz. canvas tarp typically lasts me 8 years. I just purchased a new one last month and paid $195.00.
kjlgpw@aol.com
kjlgpw@aol.com
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sloopjohnl
Re: Winter Cover for a CD26
dittoes on the canvas cover. my typhoon does not have sttanchions but i do use tennis balls to cover protrusions such as the spreader bases, forestay tang, etc. my cover stretches the full length of the mast so everything is covered and then some. it hangs down to the trailer frame where it is tied off.
i bought mine through an outfit that makes truck tarps. got them to use treated canvas to keep the water out and had grommets installed every three feet. when it is snugged up the snow glides right off, rain does not penetrate and there is plenty of air circulation (i leave the hatch boards off). this is the fourth year and it shows very little wear. should end up being a very good, inexpensive investment in boat preservation.
i bought mine through an outfit that makes truck tarps. got them to use treated canvas to keep the water out and had grommets installed every three feet. when it is snugged up the snow glides right off, rain does not penetrate and there is plenty of air circulation (i leave the hatch boards off). this is the fourth year and it shows very little wear. should end up being a very good, inexpensive investment in boat preservation.
Kurt wrote: I lay the mast down horizontally on my CD26 supporting it at the bow pulpit, stern pulpit and at the mast step (with a piece of wood). Then I remove the stanchions and life lines which takes about 10 minutes. Finally, I lay a 12X28 canvas tarp over the mast "pup tent" style. Tie it off with 1/4" nylon. A 12-14 oz. canvas tarp typically lasts me 8 years. I just purchased a new one last month and paid $195.00.
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Bill Bloxham
Ty canvas
This sounds interesting.
How inexpensive was it? Did you/they have a pattern that still might be usable?Got a phone number/address?
Thanks in advance.
Bill
mmmmmmbill@aol.com
How inexpensive was it? Did you/they have a pattern that still might be usable?Got a phone number/address?
Thanks in advance.
Bill
mmmmmmbill@aol.com
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Matt Cawthorne
Re: Boat Covers
4 years ago I bought one for my '36 from Fisher Canvas Products in New Jersey. I already had a frame. The Cost was around 1500. dollars. The canvas is very heavy and I can barely climb the ladder with the cover even though it is a two piece cover. It takes some time to put up the frame and cover, but Fisher Canvas does not require a frame if you leave the mast up. If my cover goes bad I will try shrink wrapping the boat myself for a year or two. It turns out to be relatively cheap if you do it yourself.
If you need the number for Fisher Canvas let me know.
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
If you need the number for Fisher Canvas let me know.
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
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Chris Reinke
Re: Boat Covers
I purchased one three seasons ago from Union Canvas in Union NJ.
Wayne or Joanne
Union Canvas
1-800-337-9696
I had my 330 on the hard with my 2" PVC frame installed when Wayne come over and took measurements for a custom cover, complete with laced flaps around the mast and grommets for the shrouds (for the years I leave the mast up). He did a great job. The only problem is the weight. Getting a 100lb cover over the frame is a 2-person job.
The quality was excellent and service was pleasant.
chris.reinke@saccapital.com
Wayne or Joanne
Union Canvas
1-800-337-9696
I had my 330 on the hard with my 2" PVC frame installed when Wayne come over and took measurements for a custom cover, complete with laced flaps around the mast and grommets for the shrouds (for the years I leave the mast up). He did a great job. The only problem is the weight. Getting a 100lb cover over the frame is a 2-person job.
The quality was excellent and service was pleasant.
Michael Heintz wrote: Looking to buy a boat cover. Have talked to "Fairclough Sailmakers" in CT. I have seen a number of there covers and they look real nice.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
chris.reinke@saccapital.com