Time already for the first improvements!

[tparrent]

At first I didn't think I would have any need for a camperback on my 16 - because I don't intend to camper back in there - I'm more the refined country inn sort of guy.

And then I saw what some of you have done with your boats :shock: Coooool!

I also realized that, with good reason, there is no single "right" idea. It looks like a lot of thought went into many of your modifications and the results are great. I want to get some real time aboard before changing anything so that my customizations can be just as nice.

That being said, I would like to cover the cockpit when the boat is in storage in order to keep the interior clean and dry. Any suggestions on the easiest way to do this without spending a lot of time/money that might be better spent on more elaborate solutions down the road?

I didn't see any blue tarps with duct tape in your albums so I guess I won't go that route!

Looks like rain so I'd better hurry!

Thanks

 

[Captains Cat]

Tom, many folks put a Cockpit Cover on their boats. Just a blue sunbrella arrangement that snaps to the cabin top and sides and then slopes back to the stern. It's not something you can live under but does keep the cockpit clean and dry. Some cover the engine(s) too, some not, just cover to the front of the splashwell.

We had one for our 22 and used it when the boat was out of the water in the winter. Not too expensive, I bet King's Canvas in WA has a pattern that they could use to throw one together pretty quickly.

Charlie

 

[toyman]

I'll bet that there are any number of folks out here in the East Texas woods that could make a cover out of a blue tarp and duck ( you mis-spelled it) tape. These folks can make entire houses using nothing but that material list - well maybe an old shell is under there some where....

 

[bjidzik]

I originally was looking for a 16' Cruiser with a camper back, but glad we went with just a cockpit cover. Underway, the cover was either rolled up or just left hanging at the back of the cabin. The side panels were just tucked away in the cabin.

Even in heavy rain, the cockpit stayed amazingly dry even with the cover down. Docking was best done with the cover & side panels down.

We kept Cachita at Douglas Harbor last summer. The gulls did their best to whitewash the boat, but the cover kept the interior of the boat clean & dry. It also provides a bit of privacy if you ever have to use the porta-potty :moon

 

[Captains Cat]

And here's what Brian's cockpit cover looks like. Never seen one with the clear sections... Nice..

 

[Byrdman]

Hi Tom and Welcome. Need to get you and Jim together in Nashville and bet we could have a large time.

Now, I can not spell either, so when the "spelling teachers" on this site kick in with their red pins, just relax and realize, at the end of the day,...you still get a star and the nuns will not beat you....or, you could have a beer instead of the star. :beer :cocktail :clock

Yes for a quick "economical" solution, the blue, gray, grey, white...or you could go with the clear poly stuff cover stuff would keep things out of your boat using either the duct or duck tape, ropes, bungee cords ...or anything else that will hold it in place. You already have some super glue if you did not use it all on the motor. Then...on to a more lasting set up... What size is your den? You do have a 16' boat. OK, Sherryl did not go for that solution on any of my boats either but I did get away with it for a spell during a hurricane with my motorcycle at the time. Kinda cool kicked back with my feet on the handle bars watching the weather channel track the storm on radar in the den.

I had one of the fast back type covers on my 16 with a good size clear square on it as to be able to use it in cold weather...but, it did break one morning when it was 15 out side and I just sorta gave it one of those tossing moves as to put it up on the cabin top while I got in. Just added a bit of a vent until I got it to Joe at the canvas shop for repair. It was nice but I could not stand up in the back of the boat while I was on it. On my CD 18, I had it set up where I or anyone up to I think about 6'4" could stand up in the aft section. I really liked that set up, but, it was spendy. I did go with the very large frame size and glad I did...as, when boating, at some point myself and folks on board would catch themselves using the frame. My "little buddy" Roger on SENSEI made a river trip to Nashville on the boat with me and we both caught ourselves a time or two. Gravity wins.

Then, on my TC24, I had a day where I was board as hell, living thru a death by power point slide presentation listening to some colonel waste oxygen....and figured hey... if that TV stand will hold a TV...why could I not build a quick one of those and hold up an AC unit on the bulkhead wall opening window... and... noted that it was going to be both hot, and rainy...that afternoon and next couple of days that I was to spend on Lake Martin in AL... I also needed a quick system for both shade and sun... and bingo...those rod holders that Dusty put on the boat worked great for the back porch umbrella by the pool.. Sherryl never missed it. So... you have quick flexible solutions to many issues on these boats... then... after some mock up work... you can toss real cash at it for long term solutions...but, often, the flexible, less spendy ways are just more fun... and the conversations they start are a blast too. I guess you can tell I spent more on the CD18 than on the TC24 solutions... :embarrased

So...go forth and fix your boat... and HAVE FUN !!!!

 

[hardee]

Tom,

If you are actually planning on a "Storage" cover, I would certainly include covering the splashwell and the top of the outboard. It will be worth the few extra bucks for the addition and save cccclllleeeeeaaaannninggggggg all the leaves, bird do, and etc that will accumulate there. It's the same stuff that you do not want in the cockpit, so why would you want it in the splash well.

Of course, if you want a camperback to use when you camperback there, get windows and arches so you can stand up when you are there. And, get curtains so you can use the portta potti there too.

Harvey
SleepyC

 

[dotnmarty]

duplicate post sorry

 

[dotnmarty]

sunbrella mooring cover like one above, without eisenglass. rolls up and storesw easily at rear of cabin roof when underway

full winter/storage cover