Hey guys, casual sailor, first-time poster. A couple years ago I acquired a Texas Tornado. This is not the large cat-style sailboat that also goes under this name. These were made in the 70s and 80s, and not in very high numbers. The highest sail number that I have ever seen on the internet is 182. The boat is a day-sailer, 16-ft. fractional sloop. Open cockpit. I picked it up in pretty decent condition, with good sails, hard rigging, bags and trailer, for $300 and no title. I then went through a years' worth of hassle to eventually get it titled, but that's another story...
As I said, the boat is in pretty good shape. Mostly fiberglass, but the keel skirt is teak, which I redid with a pure tung oil finish. I replaced all the sheets and the scupper drain. I've been keeping it under poly tarps with mast down, but it still gets debris inside, as well as some sunlight exposure. I'd like to get a nice mast-down cover for it, but all the manufacturers that I have looked at sell covers for specific models. Plus, I don't want to spend more than $300 or $350. I've thought about buying a heavy canvas tarp, and fabricating my own cover with rivet-on snaps to close it up around the mast. Any suggestions?
As I said, the boat is in pretty good shape. Mostly fiberglass, but the keel skirt is teak, which I redid with a pure tung oil finish. I replaced all the sheets and the scupper drain. I've been keeping it under poly tarps with mast down, but it still gets debris inside, as well as some sunlight exposure. I'd like to get a nice mast-down cover for it, but all the manufacturers that I have looked at sell covers for specific models. Plus, I don't want to spend more than $300 or $350. I've thought about buying a heavy canvas tarp, and fabricating my own cover with rivet-on snaps to close it up around the mast. Any suggestions?