Canvas Cockpit cover

[Bob Greenfield]

I was quoted a price of $750 for a canvas cockpit cover for my 29.5 hunter by our marina. This seems very expensive. Any suggestions?

 

[david lewis]

Canvass cockpit cover

If this include the framework and clamps and all the stuff for a full bimini it is reasonable. Here's a cheap way to do the same thing if you have a dodger already. My boat is set up this way. Sew a zipper across the back edge of the dodger on the top. Take a 60 inch wide strip of sunbrella long enough to cover the cockpit length. Sew the other half of the zipper on the front edge of the sunbrella. On the rear edge of the sunbrella sew a sleeve wide enough for a foresap twist lock ppole. Buy a forespar twist lock pole. Sew a short length of webbing with a ring to the rear edge of the sunbrella. Attach a short length of line to the ring. Zip the sunbrella to the dodger, install the foresapr pole, tie the rear end of the sunbrella to the backstay, tie each end of the forespar pole to the stern pulpit and you have a simple bimini with no internal permanent framework, no holes in the boat, and best of all really inexpensive. Unfortunately it is not too stable so only good in winds under 15 knots. Gets you out of the sun for cheap.dave

 

[Steve Dion]

Dave, We did a similar thing.

Dave:We did a similar thing. Had the dodger made with a zipper. We also had our windows made with all the windows that un-zip. In the summer we install sun screens and can leave them in while sailing.Our *cheapo bimini* consists of a piece of sumbrella that has a pocket sewn into the trailing edge. We then have a alum. pole that we fit into the pocket. We can raise and lower the angle to accomodate the weather and the angle of the sun.

 

[Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.net]

More on bimini covers

Feb.6,2001Since our dodger is small and low a zipper attached to the aft end of it is not practical. A variation on what David suggested that we use is to stretch a couple of lines forward to the shrouds from the corners of the cover. The cover is stretched at the forward end by a second pole and this adds a lot to stability. At the back it is attached to the backstay and pushpit. This covers not only the cockpit but helps keep the cabin cool as well.Fair winds,Brian Pickton of BeneteauOwners.netaboard the Legend, Rodney Bay St. Lucia

 

[Ed Schenck]

No backstays?

Have you seen the H29.5 in "The Boats" forum with the bimini? Select 29.5 in the left column, then Boats For Sale, then the Florida boat I think. Assuming you really mean a bimini the one in that picture can be made from a Sailrite kit for about $350.(Aluminum) or $575.(Stainless). So you can see that your estimate is not too far off when you consider labor.