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Looking to have custom sail cover made

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/17/2011 : 19:41:52

Has anyone ever had a sail cover made that uses a full length zipper along the boom and a another for the font of the mast? Seems that standard fasteners get pulled out too easily.

Can anyone recommend an expert canvas company that specializes in sailboats and uses Sunbrella?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2011 : 20:44:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Has anyone ever had a sail cover made that uses a full length zipper along the boom and a another for the font of the mast? Seems that standard fasteners get pulled out too easily.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I never had that problem with my very nice custom-color Sunbrella cover from Catalina Direct. I'd be inclined to stick with twist-stud fasteners so the sail gets plenty of ventilation.<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Can anyone recommend an expert canvas company that specializes in sailboats and uses Sunbrella?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">CD, for one. Lots of others... Where are you?

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 04:26:07

I agree with Dave about going with the snaps. The key is that the mfr uses some reinforced backing to the snaps so they do not pull out. I purchased my cover from Catalina Direct and it has worked out fine. It is made of sunbrella matl.

My old (and suspect) original sail cover had the zipper along the mast and did last a long time. While the cover lasted all the way up to the time I purchased the boat in Fall 2005, the zipper required a bit more effort (not much but each time) to zip up and down versus the ease of using the snaps. Zippers work okay but they also can have issues (hopefully many years later) if the plastic zipper matl loses some teeth in the fabric which is what happened to my sail cover. Once that happens, it is done. At least with the snaps, you can just replace the bad one. If the zipper goes bad, then you would probably have to replace the whole zipper and that may be cost prohibitive.

Also, not sure if all covers are made with same fabric and that could also have a bearing on why some snaps pull thru on some covers but mostly it is because a number of covers made do not use a reinforced backing matl on the other side of the sail cover fabric. So, if you by chance are open to reconsidering going with snaps, make sure there is a substantial backing matl to prevent snap pull through from occuring.

Edited by - OLarryR on 02/18/2011 04:34:12

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 06:38:42

OJ, I had a cover made last year from this guy http://stores.ebay.com/THE-SAIL-COVER-STORE?_trksid=p4340.l2563 I was extremely happy with the quality (heavy gage sunbrella, stainless twist snaps, heavy gage zipper) for allot less $$$ than Catalina's. The 10ft measurements he has fit perfectly except I had him increase the length. I forget how long but just measure your old one for total length. He had it made and at my door in 5 days.

Edited by - islander on 02/18/2011 06:46:34

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 07:05:15

Google Sailor's Tailor, in Ohio. They can do it, but I wouldn't recommend using a zipper. A zipper will become increasingly difficult to use, as salt and dirt get embedded between the teeth of the zipper. Also, the zippers used on Sunbrella are degraded by exposure to sunlight, and will likely need to be replaced before the fabric wears out. The teeth will break. More importantly, however, a zipper along the boom will close the sail cover so completely that it won't "breathe." Moisture on the sail won't evaporate as quickly as it should, and mildew will form on the sail.

My sail cover has the same type of plastic clips, along the mast and boom, as are used to attach a waterski-vest type of pfd, and they're easy to attach. If they ever deteriorate and break, they're easy to replace.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 02/18/2011 07:07:22

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 08:09:23

You've given me new food for thought, re ventilation.

We seem to have a large share of bats here in SW PA - hence the zipper idea. We currently wrap the main sheet around and around the boom to keep the bats out . . . which probably means the sail doesn't "breathe."

How do you keep bats out of your main sail cover using snaps.

Our current cover has velcro on the front and it appears to have become useless a long time ago.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 08:31:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 You've given me new food for thought, re ventilation.

We seem to have a large share of bats here in SW PA - hence the zipper idea. We currently wrap the main sheet around and around the boom to keep the bats out . . . which probably means the sail doesn't "breathe."

How do you keep bats out of your main sail cover using snaps.

Our current cover has velcro on the front and it appears to have become useless a long time ago.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You have a "unique" problem with bats!

I never thought about it. I don't know what might work with them. Maybe a plastic owl? Maybe doubling the number of snaps, to close it up more while still allowing a little room to breathe. Maybe you could figure out a simple way to wrap the sail cover with some kind of netting, to allow ventilation, but exclude pests. The netting should be resistant to sun and other rot.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 09:16:30

Can't help you with the bat problem. We don;t have that here. The cover I bought a few years ago has a heavy duty zipper at the front covered by a velcro flap. Along the bottom it is open with 5-6 straps with plastic snaps like in a life vest and on foul weather bibs. Maybe you could order one with a velcro closure along the boom and 2" wide nylon vent, i.e. sew on a strip of nylon screen to one side of the cover and sew the velcro to the screen. That would keep it closed but allow ventilation too.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 10:06:23

Bat ! Yes - That is a unique problem. Even if you had some holes strategically put in a zippered cover, perhaps the bats will get in thru the holes . If the holes were very small, then they probably would not provide enough ventilation. I have to think about that one.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 10:27:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 How do you keep bats out of your main sail cover using snaps.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Same way you keep mud-dauber wasps out... GO SAILING. Bats and wasps hate it when you pull the sail up and dump them out. And once wasps get shaken out as you hoist the main, they can't find you back where their nest is supposed to be, and give up. Bats will probably find another, more peaceful place to sleep--or at least I would if I were a bat.

I remember finding that a wasp was nesting in a crevice on my small boat trailer. I moved the trailer about 50'... The wasp came back and hovered where it used to be, then landed, then hovered, and after a while, left. I put the trailer back, and never saw her again. (What can we say about women?

)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/18/2011 10:32:24

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 11:05:10

I very happy with the sailcover I got from [url="http://leesailcovers.com/Mainsail_Covers.php?gclid=CNmwqLKjkqcCFaE65QoduRiYbg"]Lee Sail Covers.[/url] I bought an "off the shelf" version but they also do custom work. If I had to do it again, I'd might opt for the custom sizing if the cost isn't significant since the vertical section is a little big for my boat but not enough to make me want to replace it. It also covers the entire boom. The front has a zipper that is covered with a velcro flap to keep the zipper clean. The closers under the boom are plastic things like you might see on a backpack -- don't know what they're called.

They're not Sunbrella, they use some other brand. Having said that, when I laid my sail next to the UV protection on my headsail, I couldn't tell the difference in color or fabric. It's held up beautifully for 3 seasons now. Looks like new.

I don't have bat problems, just water snakes in my outboard

but, I, too think the zipper idea is a mistake. My cover drapes over the sail with plenty of opening underneath to allow for adequate drying, etc.

Edited by - John Russell on 02/18/2011 11:08:26

vholmstrom
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 14:25:42

I am in the process of having a Doyle Stackpack made for my Catalina 250 mainsail. The cover will have a full length zipper, front zipper, and integrated lazyjacks. Once I get it, I may put my 2 month old original equipment, sunbrella Catalina 250 sailcover up for sale.

Edited by - vholmstrom on 02/18/2011 14:27:38

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 20:45:02

I'm going to have Sailor's Tailor make a new one for me when I get back to Ohio. Mine was old when I got Pearl, and I had several twist-locks repaired with patches several years ago. It was really looking threadbare except for the patches; two weeks of 20 - 30 kt winds nearly every day combined with one night of 30 - 40 kts and three of the patches ripped out of the ancient fabric. I repaired the poor thing with self adhesive nylon patches so I can still have protection from the sun, but it will be toast if the wind blows again.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 02/18/2011 20:45:36

Justincase
1st Mate

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Canada
49 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2011 : 20:47:42

I second the sailor's tailor, great craftsmanship and the twist snaps keep it closed and tight even in the most extreme prarie storms. Mine is tight enough that Bats would not be a problem, but wasps might. Mine has the bottom closure so using lazy jacks is not ideal so think that through before you buy.

JC

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 08:08:04

I went to the file and looked mine up. The one I described above was purchased through the CatalinaSailors.com web site 4 years ago next month. However, unlike John's cover from Lee, mine is Sunbrella, in royal blue to match the winch covers, lifeline cushions, and headsail cover. Paid $168 plus shipping, total $180. Still looks great!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 08:58:33

We had a guy at our marina who traveled a great deal. He and his family show up one day and start prepping their Cal 24. Off comes the sail cover and 1 or 2 bats fly out - not a good sign I thought. They lift one of the folds and out fly 6 to 8 bats - this is going to get ugly I thought. So, to keep their distance from the critters they simply raise the main sail. Every pull on the halyard opens another fold and out come another dozen bats. With the sail fully raised, 80% of the cloth was stained grey along with a generous amount of bat fesces

. I wrapped my sandwich and placed it back it in the cooler for later.

Interesting, I thought bats were an issue for most of us!

Edited by - OJ on 02/19/2011 09:02:19

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 09:02:45

I almost wish we hada bat problem. They eat lots and lots of mosquitos and typically leave people alone.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 10:43:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Interesting, I thought bats were an issue for most of us!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Nope, Don't really have any bugs out on the water, Never needed screens. I take that back, Around 5pm if there isn't any wind you will get nats if your close to marshes and over on the Conn. side we encountered some very small flys that love to feast on you. Most of the time while sailing we will get Monarch butterfly's that will fly along with you for a while. I'm amazed that they will be so far offshore but Bats, No Bats.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 16:30:05

Why don't you suggest to the marina that they put in a bunch of bat houses on the shore. A small assessment to each slipholder should provide ample funds. Dave has the best idea - GO SAILING frequently.

Edited by - dmpilc on 02/19/2011 16:30:36

skybird
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 18:21:25

Bats won't stay in the aroma of mothballs--maybe sew a narrow sleeve as long as the boom and put mothballs in it to enclose in the sail cover.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5369 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2011 : 20:56:15

Scott,
You're right, the mosquitos are relatively rare, and DEET will keep them at bay.
However, the gnats are maddening when the wind isn't blowing. They'll swarm around your head, neck, arms and legs, and aside from cigar smoke or a good stiff breeze, there's little you can about them. Repellant does nothing to them.

There are two kinds of flies that drive us nuts in CT: smallish house flies that take little bites out of your legs and big green horse flies that take a BIG bite, that usually bleeds. They're almost scary.

I bought a couple of $1.50 plastic fly swatters for just that reason and they work great! I have to wipe up dead fly carcasses though, unless I smack them overboard.

After dark, we do have a fair number of bats flying around the marina, but I've never had any nesting in the sails or the boat.

Edited by - Voyager on 02/19/2011 20:58:46

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2011 : 08:03:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">smallish house flies that take little bites out of your legs <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Bruce, Those are the ones, We spent 4 nights in Ziegler's Cove once and never saw one of them but 2yrs later on a return visit we had to leave after only 2hrs. They go right for my ankles.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2011 : 11:23:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by islander
 ...We spent 4 nights in Ziegler's Cove once...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'm sitting here in Darien, looking past the snow, down onto Scott's Cove and the entrance to Ziegler's... looking forward to flies! (When the wind is off-shore, I wear long pants on the boat. On-shore, shorts.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/20/2011 11:23:46

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2011 : 16:24:07

My post just disappeared when I hit "submit". Maybe I'm talking to much. I wonder if your flies are related to the blackflies that we affectionately call Canadian soldiers. They are small but can bite through Levi's.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2011 : 10:43:01

I almost pulled the trigger last winter on a main sail cover, but I decided to ride out my present unknown vintage sail cover until it actually needs replacing. This cover could be twenty years old and has been restitched and reinforced more than a few times. It has the original twist locks along the boom and mast that have never failed. The Sail Warehouse has off the shelf C25 covers (Sunbrella) with twist locks along the boom and mast for $195.00. I'm also of the opinion you can't have too much ventilation.

Edited by - on

JoshMcCullock
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2011 : 21:18:02

Just thought I'd chime in with my reccomendation for Lee's Sail Covers as well.
We bought a main cover, jib bag and winch and tiller covers from them last season and were pretty impressed. Good service and great quality.

Edited by - on

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