View Full Version : Cover For The Skiff
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-10-2005, 06:58 PM
Im thinking about keeping the Skiff at the club this season in the water. Last year she never swelled up enough to keep her laps from leaking. I also like the idea of just going down to the slip and jumping in and taking off anytime I want. But I will need a proper cover to be made. I contacted Lowell to see if they had any and they said oh simple just drop the boat by and they will measure it and make a cover :rolleyes: Yea 5 hr drive up to Mass to get a boat cover measured and 5 hr back home. Add to that they want a lot of $$$$ for one. Now I'm sure it will be wonderful cover but it just aint worth it. So anyone know of a good place I can get a cover ?
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-10-2005, 06:58 PM
Im thinking about keeping the Skiff at the club this season in the water. Last year she never swelled up enough to keep her laps from leaking. I also like the idea of just going down to the slip and jumping in and taking off anytime I want. But I will need a proper cover to be made. I contacted Lowell to see if they had any and they said oh simple just drop the boat by and they will measure it and make a cover :rolleyes: Yea 5 hr drive up to Mass to get a boat cover measured and 5 hr back home. Add to that they want a lot of $$$$ for one. Now I'm sure it will be wonderful cover but it just aint worth it. So anyone know of a good place I can get a cover ?
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-10-2005, 06:58 PM
Im thinking about keeping the Skiff at the club this season in the water. Last year she never swelled up enough to keep her laps from leaking. I also like the idea of just going down to the slip and jumping in and taking off anytime I want. But I will need a proper cover to be made. I contacted Lowell to see if they had any and they said oh simple just drop the boat by and they will measure it and make a cover :rolleyes: Yea 5 hr drive up to Mass to get a boat cover measured and 5 hr back home. Add to that they want a lot of $$$$ for one. Now I'm sure it will be wonderful cover but it just aint worth it. So anyone know of a good place I can get a cover ?
Got a sewing machine? :cool:
Got a sewing machine? :cool:
Got a sewing machine? :cool:
Steve Lansdowne
02-10-2005, 10:21 PM
You can download free boat cover plans from Sailrite.com. They describe two types, one for on the trailer and one for on the water. Getcha some material and go for it.
Steve Lansdowne
02-10-2005, 10:21 PM
You can download free boat cover plans from Sailrite.com. They describe two types, one for on the trailer and one for on the water. Getcha some material and go for it.
Steve Lansdowne
02-10-2005, 10:21 PM
You can download free boat cover plans from Sailrite.com. They describe two types, one for on the trailer and one for on the water. Getcha some material and go for it.
joejapan
02-10-2005, 10:47 PM
What boat do you have ?
joejapan
02-10-2005, 10:47 PM
What boat do you have ?
joejapan
02-10-2005, 10:47 PM
What boat do you have ?
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 07:34 AM
Originally posted by joejapan:
What boat do you have ?It's a 17+/- LOA Salisbury Skiff made by Lowell Boats in Amesbury Mass.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid106/p5c8c0a81be228ec1606cf9ca9a7dfda8/f96a3be0.jpg
And NO!! I do not have a sewing machine.
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 07:34 AM
Originally posted by joejapan:
What boat do you have ?It's a 17+/- LOA Salisbury Skiff made by Lowell Boats in Amesbury Mass.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid106/p5c8c0a81be228ec1606cf9ca9a7dfda8/f96a3be0.jpg
And NO!! I do not have a sewing machine.
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 07:34 AM
Originally posted by joejapan:
What boat do you have ?It's a 17+/- LOA Salisbury Skiff made by Lowell Boats in Amesbury Mass.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid106/p5c8c0a81be228ec1606cf9ca9a7dfda8/f96a3be0.jpg
And NO!! I do not have a sewing machine.
Very nice boat. Almost anyone with some upholstry skills could sew one for you in less than a day. Ebay often has Sunbrella fabric offerings. smile.gif
Very nice boat. Almost anyone with some upholstry skills could sew one for you in less than a day. Ebay often has Sunbrella fabric offerings. smile.gif
Very nice boat. Almost anyone with some upholstry skills could sew one for you in less than a day. Ebay often has Sunbrella fabric offerings. smile.gif
marsbar
02-11-2005, 10:15 AM
I sewed up a nice cover using the Sailrite instructions for my 12 foot "Ellen". Used a simple sewing machine and sunbrella. I first made a "dry run" cover with some silver tarp material from Home Depot, just to see if I could do it. Have to tell you, it came out great, and it was a lot of fun. Now I am just looking for stuff to sew! Go figure.
marsbar
02-11-2005, 10:15 AM
I sewed up a nice cover using the Sailrite instructions for my 12 foot "Ellen". Used a simple sewing machine and sunbrella. I first made a "dry run" cover with some silver tarp material from Home Depot, just to see if I could do it. Have to tell you, it came out great, and it was a lot of fun. Now I am just looking for stuff to sew! Go figure.
marsbar
02-11-2005, 10:15 AM
I sewed up a nice cover using the Sailrite instructions for my 12 foot "Ellen". Used a simple sewing machine and sunbrella. I first made a "dry run" cover with some silver tarp material from Home Depot, just to see if I could do it. Have to tell you, it came out great, and it was a lot of fun. Now I am just looking for stuff to sew! Go figure.
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 12:23 PM
marsbar ya wanna make one for me ???? :D
I DO NOT want to make one. I was hoping for a resource I could contact and they would make one for me. Just like I would never attempt to make my own sails I'm not about to make my own cover. Just the thought of sewing gives me the shivers LOL :D
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 12:23 PM
marsbar ya wanna make one for me ???? :D
I DO NOT want to make one. I was hoping for a resource I could contact and they would make one for me. Just like I would never attempt to make my own sails I'm not about to make my own cover. Just the thought of sewing gives me the shivers LOL :D
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 12:23 PM
marsbar ya wanna make one for me ???? :D
I DO NOT want to make one. I was hoping for a resource I could contact and they would make one for me. Just like I would never attempt to make my own sails I'm not about to make my own cover. Just the thought of sewing gives me the shivers LOL :D
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 03:44 PM
If you're truly looking for a "proper cover" the reality of the situation is pretty much what you found at Lowell's. Good one-of-a-kind covers take expensive fabric, expensive fastenings, careful placement of chafe patching and a good deal of labor and design time. If you want it to fit properly, you certainly want them to see and measure the boat or much better yet, have it at their disposal, rigged as it will be when in use, while they build the cover. Last time I figured it out, typical rates for Sunbrella covers were in the $35 per yard of fabric used range. I got out of the cover business altogether because even at that rate it's damned difficult to make a decent labor wage if you're picky about the quality that you're sending out the door with your label on it. I don't think I ever made better hourly wages making boat covers than I would have made by working at McDonalds frying burgers - and they probably have benefits....
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "just not worth it" or what level of expense would be considered "worth it", but that's a pretty nice boat and worth taking care of properly, so I wouldn't be inclined to skimp too much. If you can find a pre-made cover which you can pull any slack out of with supports, halyards, etc. so that it doesn't pool water it may do the job, though I wouldn't suggest trailering with it on as it will likely self destruct or chew up the hull. On the other hand, I'd expect to pay several hundred bucks for a custom cover that really works well and I doubt the canvas shop will be getting rich making it.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: Todd Bradshaw ]
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 03:44 PM
If you're truly looking for a "proper cover" the reality of the situation is pretty much what you found at Lowell's. Good one-of-a-kind covers take expensive fabric, expensive fastenings, careful placement of chafe patching and a good deal of labor and design time. If you want it to fit properly, you certainly want them to see and measure the boat or much better yet, have it at their disposal, rigged as it will be when in use, while they build the cover. Last time I figured it out, typical rates for Sunbrella covers were in the $35 per yard of fabric used range. I got out of the cover business altogether because even at that rate it's damned difficult to make a decent labor wage if you're picky about the quality that you're sending out the door with your label on it. I don't think I ever made better hourly wages making boat covers than I would have made by working at McDonalds frying burgers - and they probably have benefits....
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "just not worth it" or what level of expense would be considered "worth it", but that's a pretty nice boat and worth taking care of properly, so I wouldn't be inclined to skimp too much. If you can find a pre-made cover which you can pull any slack out of with supports, halyards, etc. so that it doesn't pool water it may do the job, though I wouldn't suggest trailering with it on as it will likely self destruct or chew up the hull. On the other hand, I'd expect to pay several hundred bucks for a custom cover that really works well and I doubt the canvas shop will be getting rich making it.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: Todd Bradshaw ]
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 03:44 PM
If you're truly looking for a "proper cover" the reality of the situation is pretty much what you found at Lowell's. Good one-of-a-kind covers take expensive fabric, expensive fastenings, careful placement of chafe patching and a good deal of labor and design time. If you want it to fit properly, you certainly want them to see and measure the boat or much better yet, have it at their disposal, rigged as it will be when in use, while they build the cover. Last time I figured it out, typical rates for Sunbrella covers were in the $35 per yard of fabric used range. I got out of the cover business altogether because even at that rate it's damned difficult to make a decent labor wage if you're picky about the quality that you're sending out the door with your label on it. I don't think I ever made better hourly wages making boat covers than I would have made by working at McDonalds frying burgers - and they probably have benefits....
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "just not worth it" or what level of expense would be considered "worth it", but that's a pretty nice boat and worth taking care of properly, so I wouldn't be inclined to skimp too much. If you can find a pre-made cover which you can pull any slack out of with supports, halyards, etc. so that it doesn't pool water it may do the job, though I wouldn't suggest trailering with it on as it will likely self destruct or chew up the hull. On the other hand, I'd expect to pay several hundred bucks for a custom cover that really works well and I doubt the canvas shop will be getting rich making it.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:44 PM: Message edited by: Todd Bradshaw ]
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 03:57 PM
Todd Price was not so much an obstacle as distance and travel time to and from Lowell. I also figure it would be 2 trips up and back once to drop the skiff off for measurement leave it for fitting and then return to pick it up. A major PIA the co$t was only extra salt.
I will say the Skiff has ribs and hardware on the boat for the placement of a cover. The ribs bow to keep the cover taught. I was also thinking do they make and elastic type cover??? Ya know one with like a elastic outer edge that you stretch across the boat and fasten, Just an idea. I would so love to just order one on line and NOT have to travel up to Mass. Although to be honest my best friend lives in Amesburry blocks away from Lowell and I could always make a road trip and pay him a visit.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson ) ]
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 03:57 PM
Todd Price was not so much an obstacle as distance and travel time to and from Lowell. I also figure it would be 2 trips up and back once to drop the skiff off for measurement leave it for fitting and then return to pick it up. A major PIA the co$t was only extra salt.
I will say the Skiff has ribs and hardware on the boat for the placement of a cover. The ribs bow to keep the cover taught. I was also thinking do they make and elastic type cover??? Ya know one with like a elastic outer edge that you stretch across the boat and fasten, Just an idea. I would so love to just order one on line and NOT have to travel up to Mass. Although to be honest my best friend lives in Amesburry blocks away from Lowell and I could always make a road trip and pay him a visit.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson ) ]
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 03:57 PM
Todd Price was not so much an obstacle as distance and travel time to and from Lowell. I also figure it would be 2 trips up and back once to drop the skiff off for measurement leave it for fitting and then return to pick it up. A major PIA the co$t was only extra salt.
I will say the Skiff has ribs and hardware on the boat for the placement of a cover. The ribs bow to keep the cover taught. I was also thinking do they make and elastic type cover??? Ya know one with like a elastic outer edge that you stretch across the boat and fasten, Just an idea. I would so love to just order one on line and NOT have to travel up to Mass. Although to be honest my best friend lives in Amesburry blocks away from Lowell and I could always make a road trip and pay him a visit.
[ 02-11-2005, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson ) ]
hikingchrs
02-11-2005, 04:47 PM
There is no substitute for the best. But why don't you make yer own out of tarps and duct tape?
5 hours is really not that far...Nice Jeep reminds me of the one I owned when I was 17... sold it to buy my willys.
Chris
hikingchrs
02-11-2005, 04:47 PM
There is no substitute for the best. But why don't you make yer own out of tarps and duct tape?
5 hours is really not that far...Nice Jeep reminds me of the one I owned when I was 17... sold it to buy my willys.
Chris
hikingchrs
02-11-2005, 04:47 PM
There is no substitute for the best. But why don't you make yer own out of tarps and duct tape?
5 hours is really not that far...Nice Jeep reminds me of the one I owned when I was 17... sold it to buy my willys.
Chris
StevenBauer
02-11-2005, 05:09 PM
And you're coming up to Maine for the Maine Boatbuilders Show next month anyway, and Amesbury is right on the way...
Steven
StevenBauer
02-11-2005, 05:09 PM
And you're coming up to Maine for the Maine Boatbuilders Show next month anyway, and Amesbury is right on the way...
Steven
StevenBauer
02-11-2005, 05:09 PM
And you're coming up to Maine for the Maine Boatbuilders Show next month anyway, and Amesbury is right on the way...
Steven
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 05:38 PM
There must be a decent canvas shop closer to you than driving all that way. Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 05:38 PM
There must be a decent canvas shop closer to you than driving all that way. Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.
Todd Bradshaw
02-11-2005, 05:38 PM
There must be a decent canvas shop closer to you than driving all that way. Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 11:16 PM
Originally posted by Todd Bradshaw:
Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.Todd obviously being all those wonderful qualities you mentioned above yourself, you can not see how such things such as time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product are rare and in short supply. Hence the reason for my post. Ya sure I cant lure you into making a cover for me ? ;)
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 11:16 PM
Originally posted by Todd Bradshaw:
Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.Todd obviously being all those wonderful qualities you mentioned above yourself, you can not see how such things such as time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product are rare and in short supply. Hence the reason for my post. Ya sure I cant lure you into making a cover for me ? ;)
Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )
02-11-2005, 11:16 PM
Originally posted by Todd Bradshaw:
Making a good cover isn't brain surgery, it just takes time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product.Todd obviously being all those wonderful qualities you mentioned above yourself, you can not see how such things such as time, materials and a reasonable amount of skill with the desire to put out a good product are rare and in short supply. Hence the reason for my post. Ya sure I cant lure you into making a cover for me ? ;)
Todd Bradshaw
02-12-2005, 02:10 AM
I'd make you drive it all the way here and leave it, which is another reason I got out of the canvas business - I got tired of having strange boats blocking my driveway or having to make three or four trips out to somebody's mooring in the Avon to do test fits and pattern making.
A lot of people find sailmaking tedious. To me, it's mostly crunching numbers until you get enough of a feel for it that you can do it by eye. These days, other than to lay out the basic perimeter I don't measure anything when I build and shape sails. I never got to that point with cover building, which is why it always seemed like drudgery. I have a lot of respect for someone who can do it well and be efficient in the process. Anybody in your area who's been doing it professionally for ten or fifteen years and has managed to stay in business is worth checking into. It's also important that they know that you plan on being able to put the cover on while afloat. A lot of boat covers which go on in a snap when the boat is on the trailer and you're free to walk around it are really tough to get installed from inside the boat on the water or while hanging off of the dock.
Todd Bradshaw
02-12-2005, 02:10 AM
I'd make you drive it all the way here and leave it, which is another reason I got out of the canvas business - I got tired of having strange boats blocking my driveway or having to make three or four trips out to somebody's mooring in the Avon to do test fits and pattern making.
A lot of people find sailmaking tedious. To me, it's mostly crunching numbers until you get enough of a feel for it that you can do it by eye. These days, other than to lay out the basic perimeter I don't measure anything when I build and shape sails. I never got to that point with cover building, which is why it always seemed like drudgery. I have a lot of respect for someone who can do it well and be efficient in the process. Anybody in your area who's been doing it professionally for ten or fifteen years and has managed to stay in business is worth checking into. It's also important that they know that you plan on being able to put the cover on while afloat. A lot of boat covers which go on in a snap when the boat is on the trailer and you're free to walk around it are really tough to get installed from inside the boat on the water or while hanging off of the dock.
Todd Bradshaw
02-12-2005, 02:10 AM
I'd make you drive it all the way here and leave it, which is another reason I got out of the canvas business - I got tired of having strange boats blocking my driveway or having to make three or four trips out to somebody's mooring in the Avon to do test fits and pattern making.
A lot of people find sailmaking tedious. To me, it's mostly crunching numbers until you get enough of a feel for it that you can do it by eye. These days, other than to lay out the basic perimeter I don't measure anything when I build and shape sails. I never got to that point with cover building, which is why it always seemed like drudgery. I have a lot of respect for someone who can do it well and be efficient in the process. Anybody in your area who's been doing it professionally for ten or fifteen years and has managed to stay in business is worth checking into. It's also important that they know that you plan on being able to put the cover on while afloat. A lot of boat covers which go on in a snap when the boat is on the trailer and you're free to walk around it are really tough to get installed from inside the boat on the water or while hanging off of the dock.
Domesticated_Mr. Know It All
02-12-2005, 12:50 PM
J. C. Whitney has some covers for smaller boats.
They're cheap and would be OK for covering your boat at the slip but might blow off during transport.
A fitted cover with snaps or velcro would be better.
No canvas shops near you?
I can think of half a dozen places around here.
Nothing in the phone book?
Thats a really beautiful boat Joe. :cool:
All things considered, you know she'd be better off stored in your barn...right? :D
[ 02-12-2005, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]
Domesticated_Mr. Know It All
02-12-2005, 12:50 PM
J. C. Whitney has some covers for smaller boats.
They're cheap and would be OK for covering your boat at the slip but might blow off during transport.
A fitted cover with snaps or velcro would be better.
No canvas shops near you?
I can think of half a dozen places around here.
Nothing in the phone book?
Thats a really beautiful boat Joe. :cool:
All things considered, you know she'd be better off stored in your barn...right? :D
[ 02-12-2005, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]
Domesticated_Mr. Know It All
02-12-2005, 12:50 PM
J. C. Whitney has some covers for smaller boats.
They're cheap and would be OK for covering your boat at the slip but might blow off during transport.
A fitted cover with snaps or velcro would be better.
No canvas shops near you?
I can think of half a dozen places around here.
Nothing in the phone book?
Thats a really beautiful boat Joe. :cool:
All things considered, you know she'd be better off stored in your barn...right? :D
[ 02-12-2005, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]
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