Camper tents on C-Dory

[Donald Tyson]

Camper tents are pretty practical add-ons for boats. Many pay a fortune to have them on their vessels.

I see that most folks end their tents in vertical alignment with the forward border of the engine well. A few include the engine well with their tops. May we assume that any isinglass or canvas back panels always stop at the forward end of the motor well? Can the portion that continues over the motorwell remain?

Has anyone found a way to utilize hard tops on 22's and 25's? That is one of the cool things about workboats in the Chesapeake. They usually have a long hardtop that is very protective from the sun, among other things.

Is it done that camper tents are designed to be somewhat higher than the cabin top? Most tall folks don't want their head up near that top.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Donald, I have seen fixed biminis attached to the house and extending back over the cockpit. Both that I recall were raised so you didn’t have to stoop, made from marine grade stainless pipe, and covered with laced on fabric. There’s no reason why that couldn’t be the basis for a camper back.

I’ve also seen back panels that follow the contours of the motor well to provide access to the hatches where the batteries and fish box are located.

All would be custom work.

[Donald Tyson]

I'd like to have it go back to cover the motor well. Thanks

I used to sew my own shirts until I was 30. I wonder if a standard Sewing machine can handle this canvas?

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

I Believe you need a more robust commercial type machine to punch through 2 layers of Sunbrella. Also a special thread designed for it that swells up when wet to seal the holes.

You can always test your machine out on a few scrap pieces.

[Tom Hruby]

35 years ago I bought a 1929 Singer treadle sewing machine in an antique store and you might still find some working ones around. These are great for heavy duty sewing, and I have use it to sew sails for three sailboats and canopies for four boats. These machines have a mechanical drive rather than a belt and can punch through up to eight layers of dacron sailcloth. We have had as many as four electric sewing machines in our household, but the old treadle is the only that ever gets used by my wife and two daughters as well. I was even able to find a ziz-zag attachment on Ebay that fits it.

They are often a lot less expensive than an electric one that can handle heavier cloth. Singer was still making treadle machines for export to countries without electricity in the 1990's.

[Tom Hruby]

P.S. Pretty much many of the parts for the treadle machines are still available; like the leather belts, hand cranks, bobbins, and the rubber wheel for the bobbin winder.

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

[Donald Tyson]

Tom,
I appreciate your faith in me but frankly I'd forget which appendages to operate the treadle with and which ones to feed the canvas with. I'd sew myself to the project in no time
But.
I see many commercial multipurpose sewing Machines, electric like I'm used to, at a reasonable price on the internet. So there is something for me there. Thank you for your encouraging posts.

[drbridge]

These guys would have everything you need.
https://www.sailrite.com/

[Donald Tyson]

Yes Doug,
I was perusing their website, first time in many years, since I last had a sailboat. They have it all and are well sorted out.
He is why I brought this up: I've been looking at getting a boat that is older and is likely to have infirmities, among them is likely to be sagging canvas and cloudy Isinglass. If it is not too bad then, along with my meager experience, and by using the videos from online sources, I can fix up that portion of the boat.
Lemons to lemonade thing, examining the possibilities.
Thanks

[thataway]

Yes those old treadle machines will sew through every thing. I still have pieces of a needle in my right thumb from where I was sewing a dinghy sail on my grandmother's treadle machine.

I have two portable machines, and a Paff all metal gear machine from the 30's which I use for canvas work. My friend who was a sailmaker used mostly Consew's with synchronous motor (up to 1,5 hp, Junki is also a very good commercial machine.

[Marco Flamingo]

My Mom always said Grandma had great looking legs because of her treadle sewing machine.

I bought my Singer treadle in the 70's. I did some leather work and found that the hand crank accessory was really nice to have. It only connects when needed. New Singer hand cranks are still available online. A nice attachment to have when I stall out. Pre-internet, I found new belts were common in Mexican sewing shops. I bought a lifetime supply (2). Those are probably also available online now.

Mark

[Donald Tyson]

Thanks