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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Mainsail cover?

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smshield28
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2012 : 10:38:05

Just bought an '82 Catalina 25'. It's great but didn't come with a mainsail cover. I've found some aftermarket covers that look nice and are reasonable (<$200).

I've got the standard rig. Which size should I buy? They are usually offered by length I think.

Also, if anyone knows of any good deals on them, I'm all ears. Hoping to place an order today. Thank you! - S

'82 Catalina 25'

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:16:07

The boom is a bit over 10' with the foot of the mainsail being about 8'6" (but you should double check that second dimension because your sail could be cut differently). You can get the exact dimensions from the manual (see the "Manuals and Brochures" link on the left). You need it to be in between those two lengths.

Our boat came with a generic/adjustable one from West Marine that is pretty ugly, but works just fine.

If the previous owner was keeping the mainsail on the boom without a cover then I'd check it carefully for signs of UV damage.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:16:08

I've had a few sail covers for various boats over the years, and then ordered a [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=174"]custom color cover from Catalina Direct[/url] for our C-25, to match our Sunbrella "Toast" bimini. Its construction and convenience were (and probably still are) superior to any I'd had, and picking a color added a nice touch in the world of ubiquitous royal blue boat canvas. "Voyager" Bruce Ross can report on how it has held up over the past 8-9 years. Of course, it was a few more bucks... But I don't remember the length. (CD knows.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/08/2012 11:18:00

dolivaw
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:16:21

My wife picked up a used sail cover from a swap meet this weekend for $5. She'll rip off the C&C patch, shorten it a few inches, restitch everything and replace the zipper and velcro for a total cost of around $28 plus her time.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:32:19

Wish I knew where my cover came from. It's well built and has held up fine for a while now. The only downside, and I think this applies to all covers, is the snaps. They're a pain! And they put added stress on the cover when you're trying to unsnap them. The twist fasteners are a much better device, so when searching for a cover, look for those.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 11:33:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dolivaw
 My wife picked up a used sail cover from a swap meet this weekend for $5. She'll rip off the C&C patch, shorten it a few inches, restitch everything and replace the zipper and velcro for a total cost of around $28 plus her time.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's the way to "beat the system!" If that one wears out, take it apart at the seams, and use it as a pattern to make a new one out of Sunbrella. It isn't difficult to sew a new one with a home sewing machine, and it's a good winter project.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 12:31:47

For the last couple of years I had planned to replace my unknown vintage sailcover (probably 15-20 years old), but it still serves its purpose and looks okay so maybe next year. Like NautiC25, I'm a fan of twist fasteners for both down the mast and along the foot.

If I were to buy a new cover, I might go with one from the Sailwarehouse. Sunbrella and twists fasteners for $195.00...

[url="http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store_TSW.cgi?page=canvas.html&cart_id=1006863_25599"]SailWarehouse Canvas[/url]

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 13:11:58

I got a new one last year ( Guy on E-Bay). The length is 11ft and fits perfectly. Surprisingly well made with a large zipper and twist fasteners and Sunbrella of your choice. $155 to my door in 5 days.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2012 : 13:25:33

Sailor Tailor.com. I just had one made last winter, and it is extremely nice. Your choice of fasteners, I use twist lock along the boom and a zipper at the mast. It also included a twist lock flap over the zipper. The standard height was a little high to fit very hard sails, but we talked about it and made it a little lower (they have patterns for C-25 and many other boats on hand.). Lettering is priced per letter, so double it if you want your name on both sides. Timely, flexible, and great work. The cover looks so nice that I will replace my new, off-the-shelf tiller cover this summer because it looks tacky by comparison. Find them midway down on the left side of our links page. Call them and discuss exactly what you want. They are only 5 miles from me, and I have used them for Pearl and my previous boat.

Edited by - on

smshield28
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2012 : 09:00:48

Thanks for the help all!!

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2012 : 09:31:16

If you want new:
http://leesailcovers.com/Mainsail_Covers.php?gclid=CKicxYbQ868CFUyb7QodBg8ZXQ
Might also check out Ebay. There's a guy on there selling C-22 mainsail covers, might be able to do a C-25 cover, too.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2012 : 09:57:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 If you want new:
http://leesailcovers.com/Mainsail_Covers.php?gclid=CKicxYbQ868CFUyb7QodBg8ZXQ
Might also check out Ebay. There's a guy on there selling C-22 mainsail covers, might be able to do a C-25 cover, too.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I bought one from Lee also. I didn't buy custom and kinda regret it. The cover is just fine and serves the purpose but the vertical length at the mast is too big so it gets bunched up a bit and doesn't look as good at a custom cover. I'll live with that for the substantial savings over the custom cover.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2012 : 10:44:26

Some nice deals in the clearance section there, too, especially if you aren't picky about color.

Edited by - on

Chakana
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2012 : 12:25:06

Don't forget Sailrite. Their smallest kit works great, and choice of any color made by Sunbrella. We chose "Ginko" which is a lime green color. Very unique! You can sew it yourself for about $160 or pay them to sew it for you. I added Teal colored piping to the lime green also.

Edited by - on

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 00:15:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 For the last couple of years I had planned to replace my unknown vintage sailcover (probably 15-20 years old), but it still serves its purpose and looks okay so maybe next year. Like NautiC25, I'm a fan of twist fasteners for both down the mast and along the foot.

If I were to buy a new cover, I might go with one from the Sailwarehouse. Sunbrella and twists fasteners for $195.00...

[url="http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web_store_TSW.cgi?page=canvas.html&cart_id=1006863_25599"]SailWarehouse Canvas[/url]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
After a few years a mainsail cover stops serving its purpose, if the purpose is UV protection for the mainsail.

A canvass cover was included in my boat purchase, but has many pinholes when held to the light. I talked to the local sailmaker who built the cover and he filled me in on their 3-5 year life-span if you value the Dacron beneath.

I didn't ask him about Sunbrella approved 303 Protectant. I'd like to recommend reading up on that product. I can't tell if it's a cleaner or UV protectant like most other 303 products.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 05:30:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by rrick
 I talked to the local sailmaker who built the cover and he filled me in on their 3-5 year life-span if you value the Dacron beneath.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Interesting point and something for me to consider, but a three year lifespan? Seems kind of short, but then again, your sailmaker is in the business of selling product. If he's basing the lifespan on it being exposed to UV twelve months a year then with my rather short sailing season of five months, the equivalent period over time would be twelve years.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 05:47:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">[i]Originally posted by rrick]
A canvass cover was included in my boat purchase, but has many pinholes when held to the light. I talked to the local sailmaker who built the cover and he filled me in on their 3-5 year life-span if you value the Dacron beneath.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
IMO, pinholes allow fabric to breathe, so that they don't admit water, but they will permit vapor to escape. That is, I think, why modern foul weather gear works. Foulies will usually keep out water, but in a really hard driving rain, such as in last year's hurricane Irene, the wind drove the rain through the fabric when we were adjusting lines on the docks. Likewise, the canvas winter cover for my boat has millions of pinholes, but it doesn't leak at all. Don't judge the condition of the fabric by it's pinholes. Judge it by whether it keeps out water in normal conditions. Sunbrella does begin to leak when it ages, but it's a relatively soft fabric with a looser weave than canvas. An application of 303 should restore it, if it isn't too bad.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 07:34:15

I haven't read the whole thread so skip this if its a repeat...

Keep your old cover when you get the new one. You can use the fabric to make other things like handrail covers, winch covers, Lifeline covers (over pool noodles or pipe insulation), boat shoe bag, outboard cover, tea cosy, bean-bag ashtray thinggy that was popular in the '70s, Dashboard hula girl's replacement skirt, etc.

Use your imagination.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 08:04:27

Cotton canvass swells when it absorbs water and opens when it dries, that is one of the reasons why it is still the gold standard for covers if you can manage the weight and cost. Synthetic fibers don't do that, so I think the pinholes result from stretching and shifting fibers in the weave, an aging process. The holes in Gortex and the coatings used in modern foulies are too small for liquid water, but large enough for water vapor to pass through and not visible to the naked eye. UV protection does come in degrees. Undyed white cotton is one of the least effective fabrics, but wearing a thin T-shirt in the sun all day is is convincing that it does a lot. Dyes add another layer of protection, and UV absorbing coatings add more. If the color isn't faded and the fabric is strong, then you still have protection, just less than when it was new. Fading and weakening result from molecules breaking down from absorbing UV (and other) energy and reacting with pollutants and oxygen.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 08:12:21

Blues and greens hold up to the sun well. Reds fade quickly.

Edited by - on

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2012 : 21:55:59

Then, my neighboring boat has a black mainsail cover. Asked why, he told me it was DEEPLY discounted.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2012 : 13:21:10

Black probably gets hot enough to kill the spiders, but, hopefully, not enough to melt your sail.

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