help making boat mooring cover

[badbowtie]

I am thinking about making a mooring cover for my boat I have a 85 wellcraft elite 210 cuddy. I have done a couple boat seats and want to try to make a mooring cover. If it turns out well I will be trying a complete cover before winter gets here. I am trying to find the cheapest place to order material from just in case I have a misshap, I am not out a bunch of money. I am also not real sure what material to go with. I want it to be water proof because the boat is stored outside.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

Normally you would use some canvas duck material. The latest stuff is Sunbrella, but I would think it is pricy.

What about buying a common boat cover (about $100 on sale, at Wallyworld), and customizing it for your boat?

Most any fabric can be treated with some generic form of Scotchgard to make it water resistant

 

[badbowtie]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

I thought about buying a universal and changing a couple things around to make it a perfect fit. But really would like the challenge of making one but who knows what will happen.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

For experimentation puposes, the cheapest approach might be to buy a standard canvas tarp and work with that instead of Sunbrella or other more hi-tech fabrics. I gurantee you will make a mistake the first time around. Once you learn the pitfalls of making a cover then you can easily work with other fabrics. I've made several and it is satisfying to see a cover that fits the way it should - especially one you made.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

I thought about buying a canvas tarp to start with and make a mooring cover out of it. But all the canvas tarps that I looked at on ebay all say not to use as a boat cover. Was not sure why they all said that.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

Normally you would use some canvas duck material. The latest stuff is Sunbrella, but I would think it is pricy.

What about buying a common boat cover (about $100 on sale, at Wallyworld), and customizing it for your boat?

Most any fabric can be treated with some generic form of Scotchgard to make it water resistant

Take it from a 17 year upholsterer...don't use canvas duck. You don't want anything that's waterPROOF. You want water RESISTANT. If it's water proof, the temperature change will allow moisture to accumulate and there will be mold & possible rot before you know it. Not to mention the odor when the cover is removed. Water resistant allows air to enter & leave while eliminating the moisture from edew & heavy rains/snow.

Sunbrella is pricy, but there is an equivilent. It's called Dickson Marine fabric. It's available with or without the plastic backing (get it without). Any upholstery shop can order if for you for a small upcharge. try eBay of iOffer.com for leftovers. You boat is going to take 15-20 yards of material, depending on your design and any mistakes (I call them adjustments ).

When creating your cover, put a couple of vents in it. That is simply a "clamshell" shape with screening under it that allows the air to flow better without allowing water in. You will also need access to a heavy duty sewing machine. Most home units won't cut it as they aren't equipped with a walking foot. UVR/Nylon thread is also essential.

Get online and get ideas from other pictures. It really helps when deciding where to start. the first cut is the hardest.

Best of luck!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/...astguard_(Comparable_to_Sunbrella)/index.html

I use Sunbrella when I make my covers.

What kind of sewing machine are you going to use?

 

[Stachi]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

Take it from a 17 year upholsterer...don't use canvas duck. You don't want anything that's waterPROOF. You want water RESISTANT. If it's water proof, the temperature change will allow moisture to accumulate and there will be mold & possible rot before you know it. Not to mention the odor when the cover is removed. Water resistant allows air to enter & leave while eliminating the moisture from edew & heavy rains/snow.

Sunbrella is pricy, but there is an equivilent. It's called Dickson Marine fabric. It's available with or without the plastic backing (get it without). Any upholstery shop can order if for you for a small upcharge. try eBay of iOffer.com for leftovers. You boat is going to take 15-20 yards of material, depending on your design and any mistakes (I call them adjustments ).

When creating your cover, put a couple of vents in it. That is simply a "clamshell" shape with screening under it that allows the air to flow better without allowing water in. You will also need access to a heavy duty sewing machine. Most home units won't cut it as they aren't equipped with a walking foot. UVR/Nylon thread is also essential.

Get online and get ideas from other pictures. It really helps when deciding where to start. the first cut is the hardest.

Best of luck!

good info...thanks !

 

[dozerII]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

Sunbrella is great stuff to work with and you can get roll ends on Ebay for a good price, I get mine from the "textilespecialist". When you need snaps and a good snap tool look to PerfectFit. com great prices and service.
Glen

 

[badbowtie]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

I have a old like 60's singer sewing machine that I was able to do my upholstery job with no problems it sewed some corners that were 4 layers with no problem. I think I am going to try to locate some material on ebay and try start with a simple mooring cover and then go from their. I have to get the pliers to install snaps with.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: help making boat mooring cover

We bought a bunch of cheapo bed sheets at the dollar store and used them for practice. Not only did they help us learn from our mistakes, they provided us with a perfect template/pattern for the Sunbrella.