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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Has anyone made their own Lifesling cover?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/23/2013 : 22:05:35

WM wants $65 for a (Sunbrella?) cover for our Lifesling II, or about $40 for one that's going to last about two years (I'm on my second or third one, can't remember). Rita's pretty sure she can make one from scratch, I'm wondering if anyone else has, and what your experience was. I figure I can make a pattern easily enough from the existing one (that'd probably last another season, but it's already flaking like the cheap tarp material it is).

I've also thought about making a custom one from some 4" PVC pipe. I figure I'd need enough pipe to contain the two legs and a third piece for the poly rope, plus a tear away top so you could get to it quickly.

Another thought was to make a wooden box from some of my leftover flooring pieces which are about 6-7mm thick. I'd want to cover it with at least a layer of fiberglass since it's technically just super dense hardboard.

Or, lay up some fiberglass to create a case from scratch (this would be a good project to stretch my fiberglass skills because I really have no idea how to go about this.).

Anyone made their own Sunbrella/PVC/Wooden/Fiberglass/? case for their Lifesling II?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2013 : 07:42:01

It looks like an easy project, and I plan to make one in the spring, but I haven't thought through the construction details yet. It looks like a simple rectangular bag with a flap, and three velcro straps to attach it. I don't know whether it needs to be lined with something to help give it shape, but, if so, I can think of lots of ways that could be done.

My old home sewing machine quit working last summer, so I bought a Sailrite zig zag machine at the boat show, and just used it to make a wheel cover for a friend's boat. I'll probably be looking for more opportunities to use the new machine, and my friends will probably get some free canvas repairs as a result.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2013 : 08:03:21

Agreed, should be an easy project. Our LSII is only kept on the rail while sailing, otherwise it's in the cabin/garage. So it is showing very little sign of deterioration.

If I made a replacement cover, I would change the rail attachment method. Ours is attached to the port catbird seat (close the ladder, away from the engine) but the Velcro straps don't really fit around the underseat SS tube.

I would also have the bitter end of the line secured to the inside of the casing and then pass though a slit to secure to the rail/seat tube. That way the 'lid' to the cover could be designed so that there was a rim that folded down outside of the cover to keep water (rain/spray) out.

On our boat, the chance of there being anyone else on the boat (other than Peggy & I) is slim, but it would be nice to have the instructions available and visible from onboard the boat.

I would favor using Sunbrella to match the Bimini canvas etc.

Paul

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2013 : 08:11:52

I was thinking it would be a lot easier and cheaper to just move it inside when not needed.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2013 : 16:58:20

We keep ours in the cabin unless we're daysailing or on a cruise. We velcro it to the starboard lifeline when sailing.

Ours is four years old now and still looks brand new, except for some yellowing of the webbing from repeatedly tying/untying.

We've never forgotten to put it out. We ensure this by storing a "stack" of must-have items for every sail - LifeSling on the bottom, helm cushion in the middle, and gear bag on top with motor lanyard, GPS, winch handle, air horn, removable drink holders, etc. Every time we go out, the "stack" gets moved out of the cabin and into the cockpit.

The quick and easy solution is to buy the $40 OEM cover and store it when not in use. I'm sure you'll get many seasons out of it this way.

Edited by - TakeFive on 11/24/2013 16:59:40

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2013 : 05:19:25

I stow mine when not sailing or sailing solo. And some times when sailing with guest-damm memory fails occasionally.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2013 : 20:40:28

Making one should be easy. Equally, I found on Defender an offseason sale that included "old" lifesling covers for a song. I bought two and figure I am covered for a few years. Another option is using a sail bag or boat bag -- many ways to skin the cat!

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