Need help making a poor mans boat cover.

C

cmetzenberg

New member
After ordering that boat cover that was supposed to fit but didn't i'm back to square one and the boat is still exposed to the brutal california sun (sarcasm). I'm trying to think outside the box and I figure the more brains the better.
My goal: protect a tomcat 255 from UV in a way that doesn't anger my neighbors due to its grotesque appearance as my boat sits in my driveway. The cover does not have to be trailerable.

Current suggestions: Military surplus parachutehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/MILITARY-SU...303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d252be84f or rv cover.

I looked into getting an actual proper cover built but it is very expensive. Angola canvas doesn't have a pattern for a tomcat 255 otherwise i'd already have one from them.

Any suggestions guys?
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We used a parachute for shade once. While it was cooler under it everyone burned. So I don't think it will give you the uv protection you want.
 
Parachutes are Nylon--not UV resistant--even the Santa Barbara sun will do it in…

I don't know what your time and skill sets are, but a boat cover is a basic sewing project. A SailRite Machine will set you back about $700 (zig zag), and the Sunbrella is going to be your best cloth. Using some basics of sewing canvas, the Tom Cat is easier than an actual 22 or 25--mainly because you can make a semi square cover, down over the sides. Set it up with upholstery pins, get a "hot Kinfe", and sew away. Probably take two weekends. There are ways to make pattern to start with, but for a cover like the Tom Cat, I don't see that as necessary.

You can use blue or silver tarps--you can get one of the "vinyl car houses" with a frame. But I suspect that a nice color match Sunbrella would go over with the neighbors better.
 
There are a variety of auto tunnels on the market. Costco has an 10x20 for under $300 that should last at least 3 years before the fabric deteriorates, and the box indicates new canvas is available. The alignment would need to be right for sun protection, but it does come with sides. Not all the boat would fit under, but another tarp over the exposed end would do a lot.
Chuck
 
I am thinking maybe white tarps.

One or two for length on the top, two for the sides and sew or even tape them together with clear duct tape. You could use one or two on top overhanging the front and back then attach the sides to build and tapered box. I could see it looking passable and lasting a season or two for sun protection. How join the tarps will be important. Mesh tarps are another less un-sightly option and they do block some light but maybe not enough.

Greg
 
I used to use heavy duty tarps from HD to cover my 16' RIB. I'd get the ones that are brown on one side and silver on the other. I'd put the silver side out.

With bungee cords and some tailoring this worked pretty well. However, even in the VA sunshine, the tarps would only last about a year. Each fall I would get a new tarp and set it up again. The first year I did not replace the tarp and after a decent snow fall the tarp failed and I had to replace it.

The nylon tarps deteriorate fairly quickly in the sun. Putting 303 Protectant on it might help the tarp last longer.
 
Green house plastic is UV resistant. Mine in the NW is going on 20 years old. A nursery supply house might be a possibility, and they have some of the needed hardware as well.
 
Just curious as to whether there are any local canvas guys that could make one for you. As we go into the less busy season, seems like a good project for a individual or shop.
 
CalMark Covers in Oxnard makes RV, Car, Van, Trailer and RV covers. I got an RV cover from them which I used for 5 years in an outdoor storage in the El Toro area-it was still usable when I sold the RV.

Give them a call and see if they will make a cover for the Tom Cat 255.

The nearest C Brat with a Tom Cat looks to be about 3 hours drive from Angola.
 
Not sure where Angola is but there is one near South Bend, way up North. Look at the Brat Map at the top of the page. 3 hours may be right.

Charlie
 
I've gotten a couple of big tarps from these guys:

http://www.tarpaflex.com

Got one (white ) large enough to completely cover my 22 ( not the largest they have). Used pvc pipe to make a frame over cockpit. Can still get in to work but boat is protected from sun and what little winter we get! Replaced the first tarp last week. It lasted about three years. Not as good looking as a custom Sunbrella cover but certainly a lot cheaper and not too bad. Cut a slit in the center to go over the radar and anchor light. Sealed edges of cut with white duct tape.
 
This year I am using a big green tarp that I bought from Harbor Freight on the tug, I found a neighbor that would let me use his carport for the winter.

Last year I shrink wrapped it... was not hard and once I bought all the materials and it was not expensive... I figure it cost about $100 to shrink wrap it....but had to buy enough materials to do it 5 or 6 times...

For my 22 C-Dory I just use a green tarp, but keep the boat in my back yard ....about 40 miles from Santa Barbara.... works fine but does not look kool.

I would like to have a cover made but just can't justify the $1000 plus vs a $35 tarp.

Joel
 
thataway":66nfah3h said:
CalMark Covers in Oxnard makes RV, Car, Van, Trailer and RV covers. I got an RV cover from them which I used for 5 years in an outdoor storage in the El Toro area-it was still usable when I sold the RV.

Give them a call and see if they will make a cover for the Tom Cat 255.

The nearest C Brat with a Tom Cat looks to be about 3 hours drive from Angola.
Click to expand...

I'll give the guys in the nard a shout.

So it sounds like the parachute may not be ideal. Is it the UV that wears the jellcoat? I'm just trying to keep that healthy, not sure which spectrum of light does it in?
 
There are products that you can apply to the gelcoat to help protect from UV (e.g. the 303 Protectant line). These in combination with a parachute may be sufficient. You do have to reapply the protectants periodically though.
 
The best protector for the gel coat is a good wax--Probably the best is Colinite Fleet wax. There are others which go on easier, polish up easier.

Although 303 is good for a quick shine--it does not give the same protection that a good paste wax does. It is probably one of the best items for vinyl. In Florida I had tried the 303/vs past wax--and I would say the paste wax lasts many fold times what the 303 lasts. (I buy 303 in gallons, for fabric treatment--for example after washing the cover).
 
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