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Best source for a C25 sail cover?

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BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/06/2012 : 18:47:07

My sail cover is on borrowed time. First some of the stitching went so I said, no biggy, the canvas shop can fix that cheap. Today, 3 teeth came out of the zipper so I think it's useful life is over. CD has them but are there any other suggested sources? I would also be looking for a new tiller cover as well.

Thanks,

Brian & JoAnne Gleissner
Knot So Fast
1984 Catalina 25, SR/SK
Traditional Interior
Lake Candlewood, CT

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 03:30:06

You are right in that there have been past postings recommending other sources regarding the main sail cover. Those will probably chime in today to your posting, otherwise, rcmd do a search in our forum on sail cover and see if you can find past postings.

I went with the CD main sail cover. It has held up fine for past several years with no noticeable wear. It has reinforced snaps along mast and boom that hold the cover together. The original cover had snaps along the boom and a zipper along the mast. I prefer the snaps since the zipper eventually failed and the snaps were never an issue. My cover fits fine. I also replaced my tiller cover and just bought one at West Marine. I am sure there are other choices but it seems fine and sure was easy to just pick up from the store. Also matches the main sail cover.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 07:28:40

I bought one from [url="http://leesailcovers.com/Mainsail_Covers.php?gclid=CPyRhbLVo7ICFeMSNAodXXwAmA"]Lee Sailcovers[/url]. I like it. it has a large nylon zipper(ok, some kind of man-made material

) covered with a velcro flap that protects it from the elements. I expect the zipper will outlast the fabric. It's open underneath the boom to allow air circulation. The closures under the boom are the kind you'd find on luggage straps, etc. Don't know what they're called but the work great -- easy on, easy off. The trade name of the fabric is WeatherMAX. Looks like Sunbrella and the color matches the Sunbrella UV cover on my Genoa. The price was right and the folks were friendly.

I bought an off-the-shelf cover a couple of years ago. The size I bought was based solely on the boom length. If I were to do it again, more accurate measurements would have resulted in a slightly smaller cover but it's not enough to make me think about replacing it.

I bought additional matching fabric and made my own tiller cover and lifeline covers using a cheap sewing machine. If I were a better sewer, I'd make some atching winch covers. You can find my boat easily in the marina just by looking for Catalina Blue winch covers and Forest Green everywhere else.

Edited by - John Russell on 09/07/2012 07:35:59

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 07:35:03

I bought one from this seller on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/THE-SAIL-COVER-STORE?_trksid=p4340.l2563

It was shipped quickly and the quality is very good. The fastener along the boom is a zipper, and it uses high quality twist closures along the bottom. It is made out of real Sunbrella. Since the rest of my outdoor boat fabric is also Sunbrella I didn't want to mix and match fabrics and try the alternative fabric that Lee Covers uses.

I bought the one with the 11' long foot. If I were buying again today I might go for the 12' foot for extra girth and to go to the very end of the boom. The 11' sailcover's girth can be a little tight on a brand new crisp sail (which I also have).

It looks like this seller has added in jib bags and has them for very good prices too.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 08:35:33

I'm not sure what Larry means by "snaps"--I wouldn't use acual snaps on a sail cover. I suspect he's referring to "twist studs", which my CD sail cover had. It was very good quality--custom color--Bruce Ross can comment on how it has held up since 2006(?).

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/07/2012 08:36:31

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 09:30:00

Dave's right - They are the twist studs. By the way, CD gets the size right on the main sail cover since they are use to dealing with our boats all the time. Mine goes right to the end of the boom and has a reinforced sunbrella strap that goes past the topping lift and connects to the cover under the boom using a twist stud.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 10:03:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by awetmore
 I bought one from this seller on eBay:
http://stores.ebay.com/THE-SAIL-COVER-STORE?_trksid=p4340.l2563

It was shipped quickly and the quality is very good. The fastener along the boom is a zipper, and it uses high quality twist closures along the bottom. It is made out of real Sunbrella. Since the rest of my outdoor boat fabric is also Sunbrella I didn't want to mix and match fabrics and try the alternative fabric that Lee Covers uses.

I bought the one with the 11' long foot. If I were buying again today I might go for the 12' foot for extra girth and to go to the very end of the boom. The 11' sailcover's girth can be a little tight on a brand new crisp sail (which I also have).

It looks like this seller has added in jib bags and has them for very good prices too.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is a great price. is pacific Blue the standard sumbrella color?

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 10:04:17

Yup, Pacific Blue is the common bright blue Sunbrella color.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 11:27:48

Be careful about assuming that any blue is "standard." [url="http://www.sailrite.com/Sunbrella-4601-0000-Pacific-Blue-46"]Pacific blue[/url] is the lighter color, [url="http://www.sailrite.com/Sunbrella-4646-0000-Captain-Navy-46"]navy blue[/url] is the dark color. But in between those is a color known as [url="http://www.sailrite.com/Sunbrella-6017-0000-Royal-Blue-60"]royal blue[/url], which is a linear tweed pattern that, when you look at it closely, appears to be made up of alternating stripes of pacific blue and navy blue. It is a different weave than pacific or navy, heavier weight and more durable, and more expensive.

I have the royal blue tweed and really love it. But my main point is that if you are trying to match what you already have, you need to be very careful to choose from all of the available colors.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 13:15:25

Like Rick says about the color, Make sure what you have, My boat has Royal Blue and I also got a cover from the guy on E-Bay. Very satisfied. Less than a week to get and a good price.

Edited by - on

Kim Luckner
1st Mate

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USA
99 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2012 : 18:20:53

You might try

National Sail Supply
26092 Withrow Rd
Brooksville, FL 34601
Email: newsails@aol.com
Phone: 352-540-9101
Fax: 813-200-1385
http://www.nationalsail.com

I bought mine last winter for $190 with shipping. Good quality and they have a section for Catalinas.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2012 : 11:54:39

I have had success with not only a tiller cover from this lady but winch covers..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAILBOAT-HELM-TILLER-COVERS-U-PICK-the-COLOR-of-sunbrella-and-LENTH-/160877969659?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item25751300fb&vxp=mtr
She lives in Florida and her prices are reasonable and craftsmanship is great also. They are done quickly and she communicates! Hope this helps....

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2012 : 17:44:46

I have a really bulletproof cover from Sailorstailor (see links section). It has a very heavy plastic zipper at the mast that is covered with a flap that closes with twist locks to take the strain and a tie cord at the top. The bottom is all twist locks, but that was an additional charge, and there are 3 twist locks at the outboard end. His C-25 standard cover hangs pretty low. He says it is sized to accommodate a new, stiff sail, and I had him reduce the height by about a third. Lettering (stitched) is charged per letter, so you must double your boat's name and specify both sides if that is what you want. I think I paid a little over $200 with the custom work, but don't quote me on the price because I find it's best to not track boat expenses accurately.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/10/2012 17:50:35

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2012 : 19:17:03

I'm leaning toward going with the Lee Sailcovers outfit. I like their customized approach. I measure my sail cover and sail bundle yesterday. I will probably order one next week. I'm also thinking about a Boom Tent for next season. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best size?

Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2012 : 20:23:07

My quick 2 cents for what it's worth.
I just picked up a c25 back around Fathers Day and the prior owner
luckily spared no expense to everything right. It came with a Catalina
Direct mainsail cover and although it's pricey, it's some amazing quality
compared to the cheap one that I had on my c22. I think the cover will
easily last me as long as I have the boat, probably longer. I'm guessing it
would last 10+ years straight out doors. I leave my boat in the water for a
month or two and then pull it out on thre trailer when I know that I'm not
Going to be able to play with her do to work/family schedules. When she's
On the trailer the whole boom and sail goes below out of the wx despite a tarp
Covering everything too. Your choice looks fine but if you really wanted top of the line
I'd suggest the CD version (I wonder who makes it for them? That would be the people to buy from...
If I wasn't over in the mid east right now I'd go look for a tag for you)

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2012 : 07:08:25

Thanks C22PYLOT. Depending on how long you will be Middle East, I could wait a bit. I definitely think the CD product is great but it is almost 2x the price.

Does anyone else out there have a CD cover that might have a manufacturer's tag on it?

Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2012 : 21:37:45

Brian I won't be flying home until the 25th. If my wife didn't have so much going on
at home I'd ask her to scale the swim ladder up into the boat on the trailer but it's a long hike
that first step.... I do seem to remember a small tag inside of it from where it was actually made
when I was admiring the way it was put together. If that's not to long a wait I'd be happy to climb
up there and look for you. I plan to leave the boards out on the nicer days to let her breath a little
more so it absolutely no trouble.

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2012 : 22:13:04

C22PYLOT, I think I can wait until then, it sounds like it is worth it. The cover I have is working but fading fast. The stiching is going and the zipper is already 1/2 gone. A few more weeks won't matter at all. Thanks for checking into it, I really appreciate the effort.

Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2012 : 22:50:26

No prob. I'll even send you some close ups of the detail.

Edited by - C25PYLOT on 09/16/2012 05:05:51

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2012 : 04:40:14

I probably will be down on my boat for a few hrs today. I'll try and remember to check my CD cover for a tag.

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2012 : 05:07:41

Larry, that would be great. Happy sailing, we are heading out around noon today. It is supposed to be in the mid 70's and a light breeze.

Thanks,

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 09/16/2012 : 21:12:46

My CD cover has two labels attached to the inside of it. One is a Catalina Direct label and the other is....a Sunbrella label. That's it.

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2012 : 18:04:44

Thanks Larry, I figured they would try to protect their source. I'm sure it is local to CA but being 3,000 miles away puts me at a bit of a dissadvantage. Any local CA folks have any ideas?

Best regards,

Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2012 : 07:38:34

Hi Brian, sorry for the long wait getting back to you. I did take pictures almost a week ago, but it was only a sunbrella tag inside of mine. I'll send you detail pics of the construction if you like, I'm on vacation now and doing lots of tinkering on the boat.

Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2012 : 07:42:18

I feel your pain on the prices of sail covers, I'm getting ready to sell my C-22 ( nobody needs a c-22 & c-25 at the same time right? Unless they are starting a sailing school..... Hey wait a minute! ~ LOL) and the fwd zipper fell apart. I'm planning to buy a full length zip and sew it in myself to save a hundred bucks.

Edited by - C25PYLOT on 10/23/2012 07:42:49

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2012 : 20:36:25

I have my eye on one on eBay. I'll have to change the color scheme to "Toast" but I'm not too hung up on that if the price is right. Mine won't last another season as the zipper has failed and most of the stitching too.

Edited by - on

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