winter cover material

[oomfh]

Plan to have a custom winter cover made. Will be raising mast (horizontally) 3 to 5' above cabin top, draping cover over mast, lifelines and down to stanchion bases (attaching furring strips.)

Anyone have favorite material for this?

Any pix for additional ideas?

[Siamese]

Are you sure you want to go OVER the lifelines? If your mast is 3' over the cabintop, and you go over the lifelines, you don't have much pitch and wet snow is likely to build up and pool. That puts a huge inward force on the stanchions, and will bend them unless you use an extensive bracing system to support both the cover and to brace the stanchions. Guess how I know this.

My current cover, made of cotton duck canvas, goes to just a few inches past the gunnels, and TO the stanchion bases. Works great.

On a side note, I see a lot of covers that cover most or all of the topsides. IMHO, winter isn't going to damage anyone's topsides, so why have all that extra material to have to deal with twice a year?

Another thing I was very glad I had done on my cover was to have YKK #10 zippers installed anywhere the cover had to be slit to accommodate the mast, a shroud, etc. If you're going to have your mast horizontal for a support, you probably eliminate all the "slits" in the cover. Still, if you have them make you a door, it's no big deal for them to install a zipper instead of your having to unlace a cord from a bunch of grommets to gain access.

[decktosser]

I used Surlast when I made a custom cover for my C25. I am now using it on my C22 as it has lasted without tears or abrasion for three years in Nebraska winters. I made velcro closing openings for the life lines and shrouds and a zipper in order to get it around the mast (if left up). I also made about 25 small sand bags that I hook on the edge of the fabric after it is on the boat. These serve to hold down the fabric even in a strong blow. If you are having a custom cover made, I highly recommend this fabric. It can be obtained from Sailrite.

[JimsCAL]

I think what you are talking about is what is referred to as a boomtent. Avoids the need for a frame but goes down to the toerail, not over the stanchions. Here's a link with some good info.

Boomtents « Fairclough

[Barquito]

I like the idea of re-purposed materials, such as old billboard canvas. However, for a custom fitted job, might not be as workable.

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