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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Where to buy mooring cover and cockpit arch?

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tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/25/2005 : 04:51:57

Hey everyone, I just bought a 1980 C-25 and want to make a few upgrades and was hoping for some help here, so here goes.

I want to get something to cover my boat when I leave it at the mooring... a cover which will cover the bow area and extend to at least cover the wood cabin doors. anybody have any experience with covers like this?

I also want to get something which will provide some shade in the cockpit. I'm sure there is a "real" term for this but I don't know what it is, so the only thing I can think of is "cockpit arch", which basically makes a cover over the cockpit. I've read the forums a lot and I've seen folks with these covers in their pictures and would like to know where I can get one at a fair price.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!
wallace

Edited by - on

tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 04:55:38

I stole these pictures from a website I googled, but this is pretty much what I'm looking for - notice that it covers the doorway to the cabin and also protects the boat from the sun.

http://www.tingfamily.com/cover1.jpg
http://www.tingfamily.com/cover2.jpg

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 08:11:08

Hi Wallace,

Welcome to the group!

If you know how to sew, and if you have a heavy duty sewing machine, you can make a cover like the one in the first photo. If you don't sew (or just don't want to take on a project that big), you might be able to find a canvass shop in your area that can take measurements of your boat and make one for you. It is likely that your boat already has snap fasteners on it, and the cover can be made to use the existing fasteners. Although you can use other brands or types of materials, I think the consensus will be that Sunbrella is your best choice. You can get it in many different colors, and it is very durable ... I have found some good deals on Sunbrella on eBay.

As for the "arch" ... those are called bimini covers, or biminis for short. If you do a search for "bimini" you'll find lots of info about those from previous discussions. I have one on my boat, and I couldn't do without it here in Texas (it is predicted to hit 105* today, a new record, thanks to Rita).

Where are you located? Depending on your location, one of us might be able to steer you toward a good canvass shop. Also, as a relatively inexpensive alternative to the boat cover, you could buy a tarp and make a "boom tent" ... that would look something like this:

OK ... I hope that helps ... I'm sure others will have some ideas for you, too.

Again, welcome to the group ... you're going to love your boat!

Edited by - on

tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 10:18:07

thanks for the reply...

wow! i did a search on bimini covers and found one at catalina direct... but the highest quality one is $650, which is a little more than i'd like to pay!

does anybody have any ideas for projects to maek a cockpit cover or a homemade bimini? the "boom tent" that Buzz posted about seems nice, but since it's on top of the boom, how do you raise the mainsail and how do you have the canvas up if the mainsail is up?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 10:31:10

take a look at sailrite.com

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 11:42:20

<font color="blue">the "boom tent" that Buzz posted seems nice, but since it's on top of the boom, how do you raise the mainsail and how do you have the canvas up if the mainsail is up?</font id="blue">

Hi again,

The boom tent is strictly for keeping the sun and some of the rain away from your boat while at anchor or moored, or while in a slip ... you wouldn't sail with it installed. In fact, you wouldn't likely sail with the boat cover in place either, so it's a moot point. Since you're on a budget (aren't we all

), you could easily make a boom tent out of a tarp and bungies from WalMart ... it would work fine until you can afford something more to your liking.

As for the bimini ... you can save some money if you buy an aluminum frame instead of stainless steel ... it won't look as nice, and probably won't last as long, but it'll work fine. The frame on my bimini is aluminum, and it is holding up well. If you search the archives, you can get an idea of what size range will work on our boats ... then start looking at discount marine supply places (check the links on our National Association website [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/links.html"]links[/url]), eBay, etc., and with a little luck, you should be able to find something more affordable than the one offered by Catalina Direct.

'Hope that helps ... keep the questions coming, and good luck with your new boat!

Edited by - on

Dan86
Navigator

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130 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 13:29:08

I bought my bimini from an outfit in canada and have been very pleased. There is some consideration for standard vs tall rig when ordering the height. It is the best thing you can do to keep the intense heat down if you sail reefed on a tall rig.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 14:00:49

It took me 2 yrs to decide which way to go for a bimini. I wanted to move the traveler somewhere, anywhere except the current position. I moved it to the front of the cockpit and now have a 48 inch traveler.

Before I go any further, it was imerative to decide that first as the bimini must be very far forward to keep clear of the mainsheet. This prevents easy access to the deck, and leaves the back half of the cockpit uncovered.

I wanted the bimini to cover as much of the CP as possible. I also NEEDED easu access to the deck as I singlehand a lot and go up in a hurry often during docking(crashing)!

I bought a harken small boat traveler and car setup and I spans the CP seats just aft of the companionway. I found that sitting with my back to the bulkhead, the track is not in the way. It is in the way for going up/down the stairs. It does provide a great handhold though. I mounted a boombail above it and like how much sail control it offers. i also had to modify the Bimini to to put the backstay through it. You can look at photos on the 2 links on the general forum for the "Zoo cruise". It shows my boat and John's 25 . His bimini is in front. If you go to my link there is a photoshow that shows my traveler on a few of the pics.

My bimini was purchased from overtons for just under 300.

Tom.

Edited by - atgep on 09/25/2005 14:01:57

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 20:44:32

For what it's worth, I purchased my C25's Sunbrella bimini, frame and hardware from Boatersworld.com for $300.00 and installed it myself on the coaming tops. I'm very pleased with it - and so is my wife, which is more important - although I did upgrade to more sturdy mounts than those that came with it. (I'd be happy to look up the bimini dimensions if you're interested, I just don't remember them off the top of my head.)

Make sure you mount it far enough forward that the mainsheet coming from the boom-end to the traveler doesn't rub against the aft end of the bimini when tacking or when the mainsail is sheeted way out.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 09/25/2005 20:54:39

tingwc
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 21:58:11

hey steve,

if you have the dimensions handy that would be great. did 300 bucks get you aluminum frames or stainless steel? is there a big difference between aluminum and stainless steel? thanks in advance,
wallace

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 09:53:19

[url="http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=570435"]BIMINI[/url]

Here's the link to the bimini I purchased. $279.90 plus $13.00 shipping. Of course, with the current gas prices, shipping is probably a gazillion dollars now. The

I am satisfied with the appearance and functionality of the aluminum frame. Stainless would last longer and stand up to abuse more but since it's just my wife and I (no kids hanging from the crossbars) and I usually get out only once a week at best, I'm confident this one will do the job for a long time.

Here's a shot [url="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d807b3127cce92338fe2592600000016108AcNGzZq1aNk"]bimini mount[/url]of the upgraded mount. The ones that come with the frame kit had too much plastic for my taste. Rather than using the short mounting screws they supplied, I through-bolted the mounts to the coamings. They won't be coming loose any time soon.

Steve

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 10:28:29

At the local BoatUS store, I bought a clearanced Taylor-Made vinyl, aluminum framed bimini for $139.00. It had the correct length and width, but I had to make a small modification to the height so it would fit under the boom.

I mounted the bimini to a pair of genoa track cars and it is positioned just outboard of the cockpit winches. When not using the bimini, I slide the track cars aft to stand the bimini straight up, then lash it to the backstay.

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 13:37:04

I purchased mine from West Marine. It is a Taylor Made and it ran a little over $400 with shipping. It is on a slide system I copied from Ed's post in the Tech Tips forum. Thanks for the idea Ed

http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/yahoo1.html

I also added the support poles in the back to hold it up when not in use.

The boom and mainsheet both are clear of the top and I can move fore and aft as the First Mate decrees

Happy Sailing and watch your wallet with that new boat

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 15:27:39

Thanks Buzz

and an apology to everyone

The photos looked good to me so I assumed it worked.

I'm joining shutterfly and will repost my photos soon.

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 15:33:00

Here are the photos:

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