Canvas suggestions for Tomcat

matt_unique · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Canvas suggestions for Tomcat

One of my primary requirements that led me to C-Dory was a solid pilot house with no canvas. The canvas that many use on the C-Dory is nice and provides cockpit protection in various weather conditions, etc. but my preference is to avoid canvas.

With that as the context, I do want a solution to protect my investment while she's alone on the mooring. I plan to get a canvas cover for the cockpit. I'm looking for a single piece of canvas that would snap from the back of the roof to the transom and of course down the sides to keep out water, birds, etc.

Any suggestions as to the best way to accomplish this? Would I basically have to take her to a canvas shop to get measured/fitted or are there canvas shops that have C-Dory templates already?

Thanks

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

Matt,

I am certain that King Canvas, the usual C-Dory canvas supplier, could make you a cockpit cover, but so could most canvas shops. I am guessing you'd install the snaps on the boat itself unless you could leave the boat there.

Anyway, I think you could call King Canvas and ask them if they have a template for that 206-283-9346. I think that's the number.

John

thataway · Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:22 pm Post subject:

The "slant back" is the best solution for covering the cockpit. King wanted about $900 for one for the CD 25--which I thought was a bit much, considering that I already had all of the fittings in place.

I would suggest that you have a local canvas shop do the work. It will be custom fit, and I suspect a better fit.

GxK · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:25 am Post subject: Canvas suggestions for TomCat

Would King Canvas also be the recommended source for canvas work for a TomCat 24?

Any TomCat 24 owners have other recommendations?

--Georgs

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:34 am Post subject:

Georgs-

Since there are so few Tomcat 24's, I'd bet the very best recommendation would be to have a local shop to you with a reputation of high-quality work do your canvas work so that you can get custom design, fittting, installation, modification, and return service.

It certainly would pay off to look for design alternatives among the 24's here, though!

Good Boating (or ice skating!)

Joe

GxK · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:34 am Post subject:

Zydecomo · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: Canvas

I highly recommend King marine. They have the patterns for the Tom Cat 24 and did quality work, as well as shipped the canvas from Washington to Vermont. Everything fit together and they provided support when I had questions.

Phil from Vermont

Papillon · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

I have no doubt that King Canvas does quality work. With that said I also have no doubt they are very proud of their work, it shows in their pricing. Having the patterns and having done so much of the C-Dory canvas over the years should have brought the price down...not up. As Dr Bob has pointed out, $900 for a C-Dory 25 Mooring Cover is just about a grand slam out of the ball park for that item.

Quality canvas can be found at the local level, and I would suggest you take your boat to one of your neighbors and get a quote before making up your mind.

Zydecomo · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject:

I agree a local shop should be able to produce a better priced product and I prefer to support local business. Unfortunately for me, the local shops did not offer better pricing for the full canvas with screens and plastic windows etc even with shipping included.

matt_unique · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject: Canvas

I have been thinking more and more about the canvas. The reality is I don't want it and I'm trying to determine if I really need it.

My Tomcat will spend nearly the entire season on a mooring. The scuppers look pretty good and I have multiple bilge pumps. The only reason I was considering canvas at this point was to keep water and bird droppings out of the cockpit while I'm away. The bird droppings I address with a gull sweeper with or without canvas so the real issue is rain water.

Beyond my dislike for canvas there is a coal power plant nearby. Unfortunately the coal dust gets on everything over time. When you have canvas, a black line will form on your hull where the canvas meets the hull for example. The coal is basically sand blasted into the hull due to the wind and requires serious scrubbing to get it off. I'm also concerned about screwing in a dozen snaps along the roof, gunwales, and transom.

What are your thoughts about the need for canvas based on my circumstances described above? Will the Tomcat scuppers/pumps reliably keep her afloat?

Thanks

Doryman · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

I got my Tom Cat a year ago and it has lived in a marina slip all that time, without canvas, without problems. I did have to pump out the fishboxes periodically as they fill up from rainwater, but other than that, no problemo.

I am having canvas installed as we speak, however.

Warren

lloyds · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject:

I would think if you keep everything covered with a good coat of wax, with some good UV protection you should be fine. I had sailboats moored directly under a glide slope at a couple large airports and didn't have canvas and everything was okay. Just took some extra cleaning once in awhile to get it bright. Bird droppings are the worst part, especially if they are eating berries. The gulls dropping garbage is also problematic.

Dreamer · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

When we lived in Sacramento, a fellow from our boat club there had a good plan for getting the best canvas price. He went to the Bay Area where there are lots of canvas shops and asked for bids from 5-6 of them and let them know he was shopping around. It was amazing how the $5000 canvas job came down to $3200! I imagine the greater Boston area should have more than a few canvas shops.

Warren, who's doing your canvas? I hope you'll post photos when it's done.

Doryman · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:04 pm Post subject:

Jazzmanic · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:14 pm Post subject:

IMHO, the canvas was one of the best items we added to our boat. Being in the wet PNW, it's nice to close off the cockpit to the rain, especially when we have a wet summer as we did this past summer. More so, the canvas really opens up our boat and makes it seem as if the boat is a lot bigger with the extra room. Of course, our boat is a CD22 and is a little more cramped when compared to the TC255. Plus, many times, we had the bimini top up but not the sides, giving it a protected but open feeling.

Did we NEED the camperback? Probably not. But I'm sure glad we have one. Good luck on your decision.