One
of the big jobs we wanted to get done before heading away again was a permanent
cockpit cover. For the last 5 or so
years we have had a system of Bunning’s tarps to help keep us sheltered from
the sun and rain with varying efficiency.
We lost the last one in a howling westerly while trying to stop the boat
taking itself to Mornington so it was time to find the right person for the
job.
Dan contacted a few canvas workers from around the Geelong
area, but none of them were able to complete such a big job. We finally found Sue from Custom Yacht Covers
who came out to Portarlington to see us and was able to give us a quote we were
very happy with.
The cover was probably not the norm for what most boat
owners want or need but we had lived with many prototypes so knew what was
going to work for us. Also Dan had built
PVC piping into the boat to run the track through so that we didn’t have track
screwed and glued into the boat. This
may or may not have made it easier but it a decision that was made way back in
2007 so we had to go with it.
We also wanted a cover that could be zipped forward and aft
to allow for the cover to remain up in most sailing conditions, a water
collection system and clear sides that could enclose the whole area, but zip in
several places to allow access and ventilation.
During the process we also decided we needed a peep hole to be able to
see the mast and sails from the centre of the cover. Phew! What a list, but Sue was very patient
with us and listened to our needs, and we soon had a plan.
School and work finished on the 27th of March so
on the Sunday with a lovely breeze we headed over to Williams Town, near
Melbourne CBD to start work first thing Monday morning. Dan needed to cut the track in the tubing and
make a couple of extra wider areas to feed the cover into and then we threaded
through the bolt rope which the zipper would attach too. This took a couple of goes, with a smaller
rope in the end but once this was done the template for the roof portion of the
cover could be made. It then took a
couple of days for Sue to make the actual cover and this was fitted on the Thursday
morning, which was very quick work we felt.
A couple of days later due to other commitments and weather we were able
to pattern up the side panels and work out where zips and bungee buttons were
to go. Another couple of days to make in
and around Easter, weather and work and we were all done by 5pm the next Thursday.
Instantly we were amazed at the difference it made. By stopping the breeze coming through it made
the inside of the boat warmer. We have
expanded our entertaining area and we have had a few sails now and only once
unzipped the roof cover after the main sail was up so that we could gybe. The water collection works well and we have
caught enough to help with the laundry.
If anyone out there is interested in getting any canvas work
done in the greater Melbourne area, check out www.customyachtcovers.com.au or
check her out on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/customyachtcovers
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