How to make a cover for the wheel?

[Kaptein Sardyn]

Hi,

I have an 30 foot S2 C. I want to make a wheel cover (canvas cover that fits over the wheel and instruments). Does anybody have any ideas on how to do this? I tried searchin the net and Sailnet for articles but could not find anything.

What I have done so far:
I made a template out of newspaper and I am thinking of cutting it up and creating some kind of pattern out of it. My other thought was to make a bag with a draw string and pull it over everything. Not so nice looking, but easy.

Any ideas would be welkcome.

Thanks!
//Kaptein Sardyn

[Faster]

Any sailmaker/canvas/upholsterer should be able to help you out if you want something really custom.

Your pattern should work if you or someone you know is handy with a sewing machine. However using a quality material like Sunbrella is worthwhile, nothing else will last, and many home sewing machines will not handle the typical multiple layers of Sunbrella in the seams. Also it is difficult to find thread that will not break down in the UV, and thread used by the pros require special larger needles on the machines.

That said, you certainly could try to get the raw materials from a local canvas maker and take a shot at it using the patterns you have made.

Count on a couple of hundred dollars if you have one made, half that for materials alone.

Good luck.

[sailingdog]

Sailrite.com is a good source for materials and thread for your project. I'd agree that Sunbrella is probably the way to go. If you want to make a good looking cover, I'd go with a fairly well shaped, fitted cover, that follows the contours of the pedestal and wheel, and has either a drawstring, snap flap, or velcro closure system so that it doesn't flap around.

The side for the wheel should be a U-shaped piece that is a bit wider than the wheel and tall enough to reach the bottom of the pedestal. The other side will be a bit more complicated, as it has to be a basic U-shaped piece with a section cut out and replaced with a fitted cover for the pedestal.

Overall, it's not that difficult a piece to make. Any questions, drop me a note.

[LaLeLu]

They are cheap at home store. Hang it over your pedastal/ wheel and fit it by making your pleats/seams on the outside with pins. Cut your zipper seam last - so you can leave your pinned pleats in place and this will ensure that you can get it on/off after it's sewn. Cut it up, and there's your pattern - transfer it to sunbrella and sew it up.

[sailingfool]

Sardyn
An alternative is to wrap the wheel in decorative hand whipping. Your personal hand-knotted rope cover would provide a much nicer feel and finish than the best store-bought leather cover, and is dirt cheap (material-wise), if you can spare a day or two...

See http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/articles/dec_rope_work.htm for a basic example. For proper instructions, get a copy of The Marlinspike Sailor , a must read for any quality rope use. Then add a Turkshead on the king spoke and you’ll enjoy it forever.

Twenty years ago I did the wheel on a C&C 30 with a nice triple turn whipping. I happened to pull alongside that long-ago sold C&C last summer, and that oh-so-salty wheel cover immediately put a smile on my face.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by sailingfool

Sardyn
An alternative is to wrap the wheel in decorative hand whipping. Your personal hand-knotted rope cover would provide a much nicer feel and finish than the best store-bought leather cover, and is dirt cheap (material-wise), if you can spare a day or two...

See http://www.mikelucasyachting.co.uk/articles/dec_rope_work.htm for a basic example. For proper instructions, get a copy of The Marlinspike Sailor , a must read for any quality rope use. Then add a Turkshead on the king spoke and you’ll enjoy it forever.

Twenty years ago I did the wheel on a C&C 30 with a nice triple turn whipping. I happened to pull alongside that long-ago sold C&C last summer, and that oh-so-salty wheel cover immediately put a smile on my face.

I believe the OP wants to make a cover to protect the instruments, pedestal and wheel from UV damage and the elements, not to make the thing prettier while in use. It would probably help if you re-read the original post where he clearly states something about covering the instruments...