I am looking for information about a canvas cover for a Hunter 30 which could be used without unstepping the mast. For the past several years I have paid $400 for plastic wrap plus charges for unstepping and stepping the mast. The marina where I store my boat does not have good facilities for unstepping and stepping the mast and every year this has caused a good deal of trouble. Mine is virtually the only boat in the marina that has had this done. If it is not done, the charge for plastic wrap is higher because of the need to seal around the shrouds. Last spring I noticed a boat - not a Hunter - with a canvas cover which was installed with the mast up and included slots to allow it to be fitted around the shrouds. Has anyone had experience with a cover like this? If it was custom-made, does the investment at least offset the cost of yearly plastic wraps? Who made the cover? Thanks for any insights regarding this issue. Tom George tomgeorge@spininternet.com
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Yes, a custom.
You need to read the recent posts, someone mentioned the cost of a custom cover. I think it was around $4000. They also recommended some canvas companies. Some manufacturers like Island Packet have these as an option. I have been fairly successful with the heavy silver tarps. In fact I just won a new one on E-Bay from West Marine. $57.00 for the one that sells for over $160. in their catalog(25x40). I install these with the rigging in place. Last year I had the stick pulled and it was much easier to cover naturally. But I only make a slot for the mast. I only cover the cabin trunk(portlights worry me) and the cockpit. So I am only covering out to the shrouds, not around them. The cover is large enough that I can pull it over the toerail between the stanchions for most of the length excepting the area by the shrouds. I got three years out of two 12x25 covers. This year's cover is much larger and I may try a frame and slits and pull it over the lifelines. Then when it gives up the ghost I might be able to use it as a pattern for a canvas cover. I will need something to go over the stanchions to protect from holes. But not until November!
You need to read the recent posts, someone mentioned the cost of a custom cover. I think it was around $4000. They also recommended some canvas companies. Some manufacturers like Island Packet have these as an option. I have been fairly successful with the heavy silver tarps. In fact I just won a new one on E-Bay from West Marine. $57.00 for the one that sells for over $160. in their catalog(25x40). I install these with the rigging in place. Last year I had the stick pulled and it was much easier to cover naturally. But I only make a slot for the mast. I only cover the cabin trunk(portlights worry me) and the cockpit. So I am only covering out to the shrouds, not around them. The cover is large enough that I can pull it over the toerail between the stanchions for most of the length excepting the area by the shrouds. I got three years out of two 12x25 covers. This year's cover is much larger and I may try a frame and slits and pull it over the lifelines. Then when it gives up the ghost I might be able to use it as a pattern for a canvas cover. I will need something to go over the stanchions to protect from holes. But not until November!
I just bought a Fairclough Sailmakers cover
Am expecting delivery any day now. My research last year seemed to place them high in quality and value...I store my '85 H-34 mast up. Cost was about $2600 (though big discount with April order and deposit). So far they have been very responsive and good to work with. http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com 203.787.2322
Am expecting delivery any day now. My research last year seemed to place them high in quality and value...I store my '85 H-34 mast up. Cost was about $2600 (though big discount with April order and deposit). So far they have been very responsive and good to work with. http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com 203.787.2322
Covers
I just bought a cover from the "the Canvas Store" for my Hunter 33. It was shipped in two weeks. The cover is set up for the mast up and the boom acts as the ridge pole. I paid $1600.00 plus shipping. This cover appealed to me because it can be installed by a single person. I can also use the cover If I wet store the boat.
I just bought a cover from the "the Canvas Store" for my Hunter 33. It was shipped in two weeks. The cover is set up for the mast up and the boom acts as the ridge pole. I paid $1600.00 plus shipping. This cover appealed to me because it can be installed by a single person. I can also use the cover If I wet store the boat.
My crazy idea ...
I am now thinking about covering my 1978 Hunter 30 and am considering building a wooden "barn-style" roof over the entire boat. I, too, am going to leave the mast up. By taking a series of 1 X 1s and drilling a hole in each end, I plan on attaching them with bolts and wing nuts (so they hinge). Now, I plan on having two upright leading from the toe rail and two forming the peak of the roof. Do this over the cockpit, just aft the mast, just past the mast and up near the bow (this one will be shorter than the others. I will attach these to the tow rails, shrouds, etc. (not the lifelines). I may run a couple horizontally to strengthen the structure. Once I have this arrangement fastened firmly, enter staple gun and cheap green tarp. Section by section I will affix the tarp to the joists. Snow will fall off .. I will have full access down below. Plus, all the cows near the marina will appreciate the way it looks. I'm trying to decide if I want to build a silo next to it for aesthetics.
I am now thinking about covering my 1978 Hunter 30 and am considering building a wooden "barn-style" roof over the entire boat. I, too, am going to leave the mast up. By taking a series of 1 X 1s and drilling a hole in each end, I plan on attaching them with bolts and wing nuts (so they hinge). Now, I plan on having two upright leading from the toe rail and two forming the peak of the roof. Do this over the cockpit, just aft the mast, just past the mast and up near the bow (this one will be shorter than the others. I will attach these to the tow rails, shrouds, etc. (not the lifelines). I may run a couple horizontally to strengthen the structure. Once I have this arrangement fastened firmly, enter staple gun and cheap green tarp. Section by section I will affix the tarp to the joists. Snow will fall off .. I will have full access down below. Plus, all the cows near the marina will appreciate the way it looks. I'm trying to decide if I want to build a silo next to it for aesthetics.
Cheap plastic tarps last about 2 weeks.
Eric, Last season, I thought your idea was not crazy at all. I used PVC conduit where you're prescribing wood. I used a lot of line and shock cord to lace them to each other (grommets every foot) and to the boat/cradle. The result: by early december, the plastic tarps (Heavy duty from Home Depot and Menards), had huge holes in them from rubbing on the PVC conduit (much smoother than wood by the way). By the end of January, they were almost totally shredded. This in spite of an attempt on New Years day to patch the holes. Fact is wind is a factor. The plastic stretches, loostens and begins to chafe...
Eric, Last season, I thought your idea was not crazy at all. I used PVC conduit where you're prescribing wood. I used a lot of line and shock cord to lace them to each other (grommets every foot) and to the boat/cradle. The result: by early december, the plastic tarps (Heavy duty from Home Depot and Menards), had huge holes in them from rubbing on the PVC conduit (much smoother than wood by the way). By the end of January, they were almost totally shredded. This in spite of an attempt on New Years day to patch the holes. Fact is wind is a factor. The plastic stretches, loostens and begins to chafe...
Dave Johndrow wrote that he ordered a cover from "the canvas shop". I would like to follow up on this but cannot find the item at the canvas shop at this site. To which canvas shop did he refer?
For Thomas.
He provided a Related Link to "The Canvas Store": http://www.thecanvasstore.com/ . Might be worth checking out, $1600. is a good value if the canvas and fit is quality.
He provided a Related Link to "The Canvas Store": http://www.thecanvasstore.com/ . Might be worth checking out, $1600. is a good value if the canvas and fit is quality.
the canvas store
They sent me a sample of the fabric before I bought. It's light weight but really, really hard to rip. Should have a long life with the right care.
They sent me a sample of the fabric before I bought. It's light weight but really, really hard to rip. Should have a long life with the right care.
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