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Need help making a poor mans boat cover.
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cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
Posts: 367
City/Region: Santa Barbara
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Kanaloa
Photos: Kanaloa
PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 10:08 pm    Post subject: Need help making a poor mans boat cover. Reply with quote

After ordering that boat cover that was supposed to fit but didn't i'm back to square one and the boat is still exposed to the brutal california sun (sarcasm). I'm trying to think outside the box and I figure the more brains the better.
My goal: protect a tomcat 255 from UV in a way that doesn't anger my neighbors due to its grotesque appearance as my boat sits in my driveway. The cover does not have to be trailerable.

Current suggestions: Military surplus parachutehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/MILITARY-SURPLUS-T10-PARACHUTE-35-FT-WITH-LINES-CUT-/331336116303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d252be84f or rv cover.

I looked into getting an actual proper cover built but it is very expensive. Angola canvas doesn't have a pattern for a tomcat 255 otherwise i'd already have one from them.

Any suggestions guys?
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Conrad Metzenberg

07' Tomcat 255 "Kanaloa"
87' Boston Whaler Guardian 17 (BlackFlag, 03-14)
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jkidd



Joined: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 1609
City/Region: Northern, Utah
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Voyager
Photos: Voyager (JK)
PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 10:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We used a parachute for shade once. While it was cooler under it everyone burned. So I don't think it will give you the uv protection you want.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Parachutes are Nylon--not UV resistant--even the Santa Barbara sun will do it in…

I don't know what your time and skill sets are, but a boat cover is a basic sewing project. A SailRite Machine will set you back about $700 (zig zag), and the Sunbrella is going to be your best cloth. Using some basics of sewing canvas, the Tom Cat is easier than an actual 22 or 25--mainly because you can make a semi square cover, down over the sides. Set it up with upholstery pins, get a "hot Kinfe", and sew away. Probably take two weekends. There are ways to make pattern to start with, but for a cover like the Tom Cat, I don't see that as necessary.

You can use blue or silver tarps--you can get one of the "vinyl car houses" with a frame. But I suspect that a nice color match Sunbrella would go over with the neighbors better.

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Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
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Home port: Pensacola FL
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Two Bears



Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Posts: 296
City/Region: Orofino
State or Province: ID
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Two Bears
Photos: Two Bears
PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are a variety of auto tunnels on the market. Costco has an 10x20 for under $300 that should last at least 3 years before the fabric deteriorates, and the box indicates new canvas is available. The alignment would need to be right for sun protection, but it does come with sides. Not all the boat would fit under, but another tarp over the exposed end would do a lot.
Chuck

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Aurelia



Joined: 21 Aug 2009
Posts: 2331
City/Region: Gig Harbor
State or Province: WA
Photos: Aurelia
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am thinking maybe white tarps.

One or two for length on the top, two for the sides and sew or even tape them together with clear duct tape. You could use one or two on top overhanging the front and back then attach the sides to build and tapered box. I could see it looking passable and lasting a season or two for sun protection. How join the tarps will be important. Mesh tarps are another less un-sightly option and they do block some light but maybe not enough.

Greg

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Aurelia - 25 Cruiser sold 2012
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
Posts: 3358
City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used to use heavy duty tarps from HD to cover my 16' RIB. I'd get the ones that are brown on one side and silver on the other. I'd put the silver side out.

With bungee cords and some tailoring this worked pretty well. However, even in the VA sunshine, the tarps would only last about a year. Each fall I would get a new tarp and set it up again. The first year I did not replace the tarp and after a decent snow fall the tarp failed and I had to replace it.

The nylon tarps deteriorate fairly quickly in the sun. Putting 303 Protectant on it might help the tarp last longer.
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RobLL



Joined: 05 Aug 2014
Posts: 421
City/Region: Bremerton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Green house plastic is UV resistant. Mine in the NW is going on 20 years old. A nursery supply house might be a possibility, and they have some of the needed hardware as well.
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cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
Posts: 367
City/Region: Santa Barbara
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Kanaloa
Photos: Kanaloa
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

just talked to ed from angola canvas. He said he would drive 2 hours to make a pattern. Any tomcats in indiana?
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redbaronace



Joined: 29 Aug 2012
Posts: 581
City/Region: Puget Sound
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Photos: redbaronace (Name TBD)
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just curious as to whether there are any local canvas guys that could make one for you. As we go into the less busy season, seems like a good project for a individual or shop.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 20778
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CalMark Covers in Oxnard makes RV, Car, Van, Trailer and RV covers. I got an RV cover from them which I used for 5 years in an outdoor storage in the El Toro area-it was still usable when I sold the RV.

Give them a call and see if they will make a cover for the Tom Cat 255.

The nearest C Brat with a Tom Cat looks to be about 3 hours drive from Angola.
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Captains Cat



Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 7313
City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not sure where Angola is but there is one near South Bend, way up North. Look at the Brat Map at the top of the page. 3 hours may be right.

Charlie

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dotnmarty



Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 4196
City/Region: Sammamish
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: LIZZIE II
Photos: Lizzie
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cmetzenberg wrote:
just talked to ed from angola canvas. He said he would drive 2 hours to make a pattern. Any tomcats in indiana?


There is (or was) one on the Brat Map in Crown Point, Indiana, about 150 miles from Angola
http://www.c-brats.com/bratmap.php?cd_scope=Tomcat

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MartyP

"...we're all in the same boat..."
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olsurfdog



Joined: 13 Nov 2009
Posts: 178
City/Region: Carmel Valley
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Summer
PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've gotten a couple of big tarps from these guys:

http://www.tarpaflex.com

Got one (white ) large enough to completely cover my 22 ( not the largest they have). Used pvc pipe to make a frame over cockpit. Can still get in to work but boat is protected from sun and what little winter we get! Replaced the first tarp last week. It lasted about three years. Not as good looking as a custom Sunbrella cover but certainly a lot cheaper and not too bad. Cut a slit in the center to go over the radar and anchor light. Sealed edges of cut with white duct tape.

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jimandlaurie



Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 565
City/Region: Puyallup
State or Province: WA
Photos: Laurna Jo
PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 4:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in the early days of this outfit, Jon from C-Lou was the boat camperback, boat cover guru. Wish we had more pictures of his blue beauties.
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SEA3PO



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 1835
City/Region: Chester
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SEA3PO
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This year I am using a big green tarp that I bought from Harbor Freight on the tug, I found a neighbor that would let me use his carport for the winter.

Last year I shrink wrapped it... was not hard and once I bought all the materials and it was not expensive... I figure it cost about $100 to shrink wrap it....but had to buy enough materials to do it 5 or 6 times...

For my 22 C-Dory I just use a green tarp, but keep the boat in my back yard ....about 40 miles from Santa Barbara.... works fine but does not look kool.

I would like to have a cover made but just can't justify the $1000 plus vs a $35 tarp.

Joel
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