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Companionway Cover

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f_sondergaard
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
92 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/09/2003 : 15:12:59

We were having problems with rain dripping in from the hatch when it rained and it sometimes blew in through the slots on the top hatch board. I decided to make a cover not just to stop this but also to help preserve the hatch boards and slide rails.

I measured from the mast base to the bottom of the companionway threshold; then across from the outside of the companion way trim at the bottom and again half way up and again at the top. I then measured from the outside of the teak slide rails at the front again in the middle and at the back. I gave my self an extra four inches on all of the measurements to make sure I got enough sunbrella material.

It took about two yards of sunbrella material and I was able to do all the sewing except for the pleats at home. I bought some heavy duty stainless steel snaps from Walmart, in their camping section and put three on each side to connect to the teak slide rails. I then used stainless steel wood screws to screw the snap bases to the teak rails. One at the top and in the middle and at the back all on the outside on both sides. I then used the exsiting snap bases for the pop top tent and just attached the snaps on the sunbrella material accroding to their locations.

Once all this was done I found that there was a big gap due to the sliding hatch handle so I hand sewed two pleats into the cover one on each of the outsides.

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what it looks like.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd28b3127cce957006fabe830000001610" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd28b3127cce957007a8fe490000001610" border=0>

We also bought hand rail covers through Catalina Direct to help preserve them also.

Jason & Fran
1982 Catalina 25
Swing to Wing

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2003 : 15:24:18

Nicely done.
We have several boats at our marina that extended the sunbrella down to cover the cabin windows. Guess they had leaky windows as well!

Edited by - on

waverunner
Deckhand

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USA
1 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2003 : 22:30:36

Did you keep a pattern of this sunbrella cover you made? I have a similar boat (24' Neptune). I have been looking to do something similar as I also have a leak problem into the cabin from the companionway hatch. Thanks!

Angela B Campbell
Spring, TX

Angela B Campbell

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EricCS
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2003 : 08:45:01

Jason & Fran,

Congratulations on a job well done!

How coincidental that I've been thinking of having something like this done (I completely lack your talent and tools in this area). I have a smaller unit which covers the "door" and makes it possible to keep rain out when underway while allowing quick access to the radio microphone and, via a zipper down one side, permits passage in and out.

I second Angela's request for a copy of any pattern you may have.

Thanks for the photos -- one of the significant benefit of posts such as yours is showing others how good this life can be.

Eric Spitzner, AP (eric@snet.net)
Catalina 25 #4445 "Charm"
41°16.18'N 72°54.03'W

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2003 : 09:29:36

Hi Jason & Fran,

Great idea. For sailing and while staying on the boat you might consider a clear companion way cover that snaps onto the pop-top snaps. Here's a link to mine in the tech tips section.

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/sdhatcvr.jpg

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2003 : 13:55:11

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9e65e340000001410" border=0>

An added benefit to my bimini that I installed last season is that it overhangs the companionway, sheilding it from rain and keeping the sun from beating down on it. Additionally, the bimini is mounted on slides and can be moved forward, so when it rains I can leave the hatch open(to keep the boat cool) without getting water in the boat.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

George Beck
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2003 : 16:28:58

I like your cabin cover, the only thing is I would suggest you didnt make it big enough. I brought mine foreward and fastened around mast and snaped to pop top cover snaps then down over side ports and bungy to stanchions and back about 3/4 in to cockpit and bungied to stern cleats. Now all teak covered and ports protected for more years against leaks. Maybe you can sew on to existing cover!

Edited by - on

f_sondergaard
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 09:46:11

Angela, I don't think we saved the pattern for the cover.
Thanks for the tip George. One day, we will add a little material to cover the rest of the teak, but now we are too busy sailing!!!

Jason and Fran
1982 C-25
swing to wing

Edited by - on

luckystar
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 13:55:52

My only concern is: will this allow the boat to breathe properly? My companionway leaks a little like you mentioned and I had thought about doing the same, but was afraid that the interior would rot like when the DPO's kept a sunbrella companionway cover on all the time. I have installed the Nicrovent, so that should help, but was curious if you think installing another vent of somekind would help keep the airflow going since the louvers in the cdoors is covered up. Anyone know?

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR<br>
<img src="http://www.proxycreative.com/clients/luckystar/luckystar_0602_sm.jpg" border=0><br>
http://www.proxycreative.com/luckystar.html

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f_sondergaard
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 20:08:08

Patrick,

We have a Nicro Vent in the head area and that appears to push enough air into our boat to keep it from mildewing. We have not had any problems with mildew or rot since we have been covering it and that has been for 3 years now.

Jason & Fran
1982 Catalina 25
Swing to Wing

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.