Lee Cloths

Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
E are going to be making a run from Baltimore to NYC in the early summer and know there will be at least two nights underway. Has anyone ever rigged lee cloths on a 79 H30 and if so any design and or detentions they would be willing to share?
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Before we get into design why do you want lee cloths? Typically provide both splash protection when beating and some privacy. they go somewhat forward of the cockpit forward bulkhead (depends on the boat and how much privacy/splash protection you want)
Construction is very simple just grommets along the edges and lacing to the rails /lifelines.
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
I think he is referring to the ones that keep you from tumbling from you rack in heavy weather.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Both are correctly called lee cloths.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Do a google image search of:

lee cloths sailboat
 
Dec 14, 2003
1,433
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
From Baltimore to NYC in a 30' boat. Your route could easily be the Chessie, then C & D Canal, Delaware river, Cape May Canal, offshore from Cape May to NYC. having done it a few times, both ways, I can tell you that it can be a real nice trip. But might I also suggest that if the conditions get nasty enough on the Delaware or Atlantic ocean to warrant lee cloths, you might be better off seeking shelter at many of the places along the way, i.e. Chesapeake City, Delaware River behind Reedy Island, Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat, Sandy Hook, etc. All places where you can safely anchor and wait for the proper weather window. Just a thought. Have a safe trip.
 
Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
Thanks everyone and yes was looking for them to assit keeping people in the bunk when off watch while heeled. It does not take all that much wave action to toss someone out of bed if you are at 15 degrees of heel to begin with. Once a year we take part in an overnight race from just above the mouth of the Susquehanna to Annapolis while off watch down below if there is a chop and the bay can be very choppy staying in the bunk gets to be a chore.

Meanwhile Claude pretty much the route we are planning and yes agree if we can get out of the way of rough weather we plan too but I have learned you can't always rely on that. being an option. Appreciate the Jersey shore points not an area I am all that familiar with from the water side of things.
 
Dec 14, 2003
1,433
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
Thanks everyone and yes was looking for them to assit keeping people in the bunk when off watch while heeled. It does not take all that much wave action to toss someone out of bed if you are at 15 degrees of heel to begin with. Once a year we take part in an overnight race from just above the mouth of the Susquehanna to Annapolis while off watch down below if there is a chop and the bay can be very choppy staying in the bunk gets to be a chore.

Meanwhile Claude pretty much the route we are planning and yes agree if we can get out of the way of rough weather we plan too but I have learned you can't always rely on that. being an option. Appreciate the Jersey shore points not an area I am all that familiar with from the water side of things.
Understand your points. On the boat I crew on here in Florida, when racing offshore, the off-watch crew will use the bunks on the low side therefore using the heel to advantage rather than fighting it. As for the Jersey shore, Atlantic City, Cape May have good inlets, Barnegat and Manasquan can both be tricky depending on the weather, with Manasquan being the most iffy. Sandy Hook is not really an issue most times since all you have to do is drop around the point and seek shelter behind it. Good luck.
 
Jun 5, 2010
1,123
Hunter 25 Burlington NJ
They are called 'lee cloths' because they are fitted to the leeward side of your bunk. Think about it.

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Nov 28, 2011
17
Hunter 37-Cutter Seabrook Marina, Seabrook, TX.
The was a great article in the 2013 November/December issue #93 of Good Old Boat that details the creation of lee cloths by Petrea McCarthy. You should be able to go to thier web site and order the back issue.
 
Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
Thanks. It is true they are on the Leeward side but that is only true if the watch is spent on a single tack. Given prevailing wind on this coast it's entirely possible it could be true but one can't count on it. Will check the article I get the magazine and keep them but for so,e reason it didn't stick.

Best to all.
 
Jun 5, 2010
1,123
Hunter 25 Burlington NJ
Re: lee cloths.

MLampner-- well duhh! :D The hull keeps you in the other side-- which, if you put all the unused blankets against it, is actually quite cozy.

My advice on this would include:

1. If they're snapped to the plywood under the cushion/mattress, make sure they're really good snaps. If they're not far enough underneath for your weight to be on them, they can pop off and then oopsie-daisy.

2. Make sure they're adjustable-- and lowerable-- from inside the bunk! Nothing's worse than getting trapped in your rack, especially with a hangover (or full bladder) in the morning. :)

I haven't installed them on my boat now; but I only need two and with the bunks' footwells going through the bulkhead they only have to be about 50 inches long. I have a design for these which is characteristically overkill but the interested can have it for the asking.

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Sep 30, 2010
130
hunter 33 Hunter Morehead city
I have an interest JC, was just getting ready to see about some for my 33, not interested in the ones with snaps, sounds like trouble
 
Jun 5, 2010
1,123
Hunter 25 Burlington NJ
Bugaloo--

I have an interest JC, was just getting ready to see about some for my 33, not interested in the ones with snaps, sounds like trouble
My design now calls for the snaps; but they are about 9" under the mattress. Remember that when the lee cloth is called-upon you'll be lying against it. It's the one with the snaps along the side of the bunk that are worthless. There are other ways to fasten these but will call for more holes and stuff in the bunktop.

I shall dig up the drawing and send it along to you. E-mail me. ;)

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