Boat Cover

[Tom Root]

I was wondering if those of you out there have used this specific boat cover? http://www.sailorstailor.com/proddetail ... 26X01T%2DM

I am in the market for a good cover, this one allows you to trailer with it on which I like. I was thinking of getting vents (Extra) but haven't decided on the material as yet? I also don't know the type of attachment to the trailer for lacing either. It's not mentioned in detail enough. I will call the manufacturer on Monday, but would like real time feedback of anyone who is now using one, and how long it has been on, etc.

If anyone has a cover that has proven well for many years, I would like to know what you are using as well. I was going to just tarp it over the mast, but wind can chafe the gelcoat easily on the gunnels, so no more of that. The "Hoops" made out of PVC pipe 1/2" looks promising too, but labor intensive, I would think?

Anyway, I am tired of powerwashing the heck on my boat to get the nasty slime off of it!

[parrothead]

What a great looking cover! Were we not in the process of selling our , I would certainly add it to my "must have" list.

While I can't provide a review of this product, I can say that the firm does quality work. They were the source of the Sunbrella mainsail and jib covers that our dealer provided as options when we purchased our Mac, and they subsequently fabricated an excellent made-to-measure boom tent for me.



Doug

[Tom Root]

Thanks for your feedback! It looks like they will be open today (Sat) from 1PM to 4PM, I just might pull the trigger and get it!

When I was in San Diego, I had a full fabric portable type garage for it. Too much wind here to do that! So this looks like a viable solution. I can do some excavating and build it's own garage, but the Admiral nixxed that and said to buy this!

[Steve K]

Hi ya Tom!

We used to talk now and then. I fell off the board for awhile.

Anyway, This is the cover, I've always had my eye on (less money, covers more and also trailerable) Other inprovements on the boat keep taking my cover money though.

http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web ... l&cart_id=

Click on "Canvas Products" at the top of the page, then scroll down to the bottom of the page that come up


Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

[Hamin' X]

They state that it is for a 26X, but the picture is of a 26M?

~Rich

[Tom Root]

Hey Steve! Yeah, I am still around, just changed coasts! I know what you mean about the Boat Bucks too, this item was Next on the list, as the Admiral got tired of hearing me Itch about cleaning leaves, mold, etc, all the time!

I appreciate your link, and will look into that!

Bob, the owner of Sailors Tailor was very knowledgable about the Macs ( And Yes he knew that is an "M" in his stock pic) and makes covers for like 2K plus different boats as I recall. He sends out a diagram, as all "X" boats were Not created equal. The plans he had will have slight deviations because of locations of my baby stays, ( I keep my Mast Raising system on all the time!) and cleats and whatever else I find in my measurements. Evidently, the "J" stantions ( The Center, and Rear Pulpits) differed between years slightly as well? He has made covers for 15 "X" boats so far, so I know that owners are out there, maybe just not on this board perhaps?

He spent close to an hour on the phone with me. It is two piece with a zipper running laterally at the point of the mast, so it can be used with mast up as well!

He has been making boat covers for many years, and reports of getting 10 years+ out of a regularly used boat cover is common!

[Tom Root]

Steve......upon further examination on the type you offered, as compared to the one I might get, is to be able to use it while mooring, and stow it below when not using it, and having it on as much as possible! One that will also not collect debris is what I am looking for as well. SO far, I still like the one I found, at least that's my thought?

Yes, the one you like does have more material, but I see the possiblity of "Pockets" forming and become a mosquito breeding ground, or another thing....... extra loose material being rubbed by the material and gel coat in wind situations. The snugger the better, I think? In the cockpit area, on the one I found he uses webbing with areas to hook into and raise that area, so water runs off Port/Starboard.

But I do thank you for forwarding that link, and any others who may have spied a Mac Specific, fitted cover, post it here please. If and when I do get one, I will give thoughts, and update as necassary too!

If anyone has one like you suggested, it would be nice hear feedback as well!

One other mentionable also, Bob said his product uses this expensive thread on the seams that cost many, many times more than what most manufacturers use in their product to cut costs. His is will last, he assures me anyway?

It's certainly not cheap to do this, but neither is constant cleaning/waxing etc.

[Derrick]

Tom

Agree with all your logic on cleaning and waxing boat. Did you pull trigger on this boat cover?

If so are you happy with the cover. I am also considering.

[Erik Hardtle]

I use this on my 26X, it lasts for about 8 years now. The cover was about $150 from Overtons... heavy duty, silver on one side black on the other... strong grommets. it has some small holes now, but keeps the majority of the boat out of the weather. Probably will replace this year.




I have vents in my hatch cover so there is no build up of condensation.

[captronr]

Erik, is that a custom order or do they offer a standard cover?

THKS.
Ron

[Erik Hardtle]

Just a standard, no custom. I think it was 20 feet by 30 feet.

[Wind Chime]

I think I've posted this on another thread, but here are photos of I do with my boat in the winter.
- build a frame from plastic pipe.
- put two plastic covers over it.
- put a 30 " RV cover over that.

In the summer, I use a canvas boat deck cover. It's the shape of the boat deck with slits for mast, etc.

[RobertB]

I have used a slightly different method the last two winters.

I rig mast up, no boom. I rig a pole to the trailer ladder up fron and another to the mast support in back (with a right angle PVC foot in the motor well.
I run a line fore to aft on the poles and mast. I also use the topping lift to support between the mast and rear pole.
To this line, I tie on a pair of 7x30 foot tarps so there is a space between the bottom f the tarps and the deck. The base of the tarps are tied to line running along the hull and anchored to the trailer.
End result is a cover that sheds snow with good ventillation. Plus the raised mast makes a good place to string xmas lights

[Tom Root]

Tom

Agree with all your logic on cleaning and waxing boat. Did you pull trigger on this boat cover?

If so are you happy with the cover. I am also considering.

Sorry, been traveling, and we did not. The manufacturer did not have a template for an , only an So, we may just make one now.......It's on hold for now either way I go!

[robbarnes1965]

Just a note for those of you who live in regions with snow:

I covered my Mac with the mast in the standard trailoring position with a good cover the first season only to find about 500lbs of snow and ice built up in a low spot over the hatch. The cover broke trough at the stanchions and I could not access the hatch until April that year. I have since learned the lesson and winter storage is done with wooden A-frame supports holding the mast much higher to let the snow side off. Also, less condensation problems result having better airflow through the less tight tarp.

In addition to the tarp, I install small solar panels on top to keep the batteries fresh all winter. These are usually on sale a few times a year locally at $10. http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50013-Mo ... B001D6GYLO The wires are long enough to be fed out the hatch and over the tarp.

Rob