we got a quote from a sailmaker of 2K$ in 1995 for a winter cover for our old 30 foot sailboat. i got (without spousal objection) a brand new sail rite ultra feed for $600 and $200 of boat top material in bright orange. i made a cover that lasted for 20 years and was still in great shape when we sold the boat in 2006. half the fun of that good machine (which i still own) was is making my own cushions, winch covers, screens, phifertex cockpit sunshades, a pifertx sun shade for front pilot house windows, a comfy padded wood- base bosun chair (with various custom tool pockets and double carabiners 1 for attachment to one uphaul line and 1 to safety line to a halyard), storm jibs, riding sail, sail covers, dog slings... i am working on a rain cover for the dinghy now..