Sailwarehouse, full boat cover

[Obelix]

We going to move from CA to FL and contemplating to get this cover for trailering and storage of our
http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web ... l&cart_id=

!	kmclemore:
	Better link: http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web ... 6848_17429 ...and a photo:

Has anybody on this forum experience with this or another cover from Sailwarehouse or has anybody experience with the store?

Any first hand experience is greatly appreciated

Obelix

[vizwhiz]

Cool! Where in Paradise are you moving to? Retiring? Come on down! Let us all know once you get settled in...

[capt grumpypants]

Hey Obelix,

We just bought one for our . We haven't used it yet, but it appears as described, it is heavy and well sown (not at all a ripstop tarp). The x version does not have a nose like the one shown, which is apparently for an with the furler/jib carried on the mast.

Ours arrived promptly and was well packaged; I would have no problem buying from them again.

I'll let you know if there are any issues once we install it.

James

[Obelix]

James,

Thank you for the quick reply, your description helps a lot
Yes, please report on the install, the cover looks great.

Vizwhiz,

We going to move to Port Richey, greater Tampa Bay area.
We looking forward to be back in FL, we used to live 82-89 in Palm Harbor

Obelix

[capt grumpypants]

Hello Obelix,

We finally put the cover on today. My impression remains that it is well constructed of sturdy materials. It was easy to put in place with two people working from the bow moving aft...it helps if you have flaked the cover beforhand. It comes with a circumference line that ties in the back and double stiched loops along the edge (5 or 6 to a side) about 2/3 inch wide. The cover hangs down approx. 2 feet on the side, well covering the cabin and cockpit sides. It also covers slightly more of the mast than is shown on the photo.

The only hiccup is that it will not cover a forestay furler that extends beyond the bow pulpit. You must bring the furler back or bring it off the mast.

Hope this helps.

Fair winds...

James and Theo

[Obelix]

capt grumpypants,

Thank you for the update, after your initial comment I was convinced enough to order one and it is sitting at the house to get on when we pull the boat from its slip.
Could you please define how to flake the cover, front to back or side to side
Thank you again.

Obelix

[cptron]

Obelix,
I have a daughter, son-in-law 2 grandchildren and twins on the way down in New Port Richey. The wife and I sailed the Keys a couple of years ago and are planning a tortugas trip for next years vacation. Hope you enjoy it down in Florida. Keep the sails up and the keel down.
Ron

[Herschel]

This cover looks great. I can see many advantages for having a cover, but I would throw out a couple of points to consider. Many years ago I towed a boat at highway speeds for some distance with a canvas cover on it, and the friction of the corners and edges of the boat against the canvas cover resulted in worn/frayed areas on the cover. Consequently, I do not cover boats I am towing at highway speeds anymore. Second point, and this is a rare issue I admit. I had a tarp cover over my boat in Orlando during hurricane Charlie in 2005. The aft end did not come together completely as the bow part of the cover did. (Know where I am going with this?) Yes, as the hurricane winds came between my house and my neighbors, they experienced a "wind tunnel" of sorts and my cover became a "spinnaker". The boat, trailer, and cover/spinnaker were moved 50 feet into a pine tree already burdened with a large bougainvillaea vine. The pine tree and vine came down on the boat in the middle of the hurricane in the middle of the night. Ever try to wrestle a huge tree with a thorny vine off your boat in the middle of the night in the middle of a hurricane? Needless to say, I have never covered my boat since! So far, eight years of central Florida exposure to my 1998 26X has not resulted in any negative event other than those caused by unwelcome birds and insects!

[Obelix]

Ron,

Thank you for your comments, we already know the area having lived in Palm Harbor back in the 80's

Obelix

[capt grumpypants]

Happy Independence Day to all (in the USA)...

Flake it end to end, so when you place it over the bow pulpit you can unfold it like a paper window blind.

James

[Obelix]

Hello again,

Here is my report after 2850 miles of towing our at highway speed with the Sailwarehouse full boat cover.

Pros:
The cover showed no wear after 2850 miles
The fit of the cover is excellent, no readjustment required during the travel
The workmanship and quality is excellent
Nothing is dangling of the boat during travel and access for a quick theft is cumbersom

Cons:
You will get between 1 and 2 mpg less with the cover mounted then with the bare boat

Pictures will follow

Obelix

[Herschel]

Congrats on a significant accomplishment! We drove across country and back last summer towing a travel trailer about the size of a Mac; I can appreciate the effort you just went to. I find your report helpful. It is good to know that covers can handle prolonged highway speeds, and it is interesting that the cover created more drag than it streamlined the rig.

[vizwhiz]

Welcome back to Paradise!

[Obelix]

Thank you, still unpacking

[sandpointsailor]

I too am looking for a winter cover from my MacGregor 26M. Currently I am using just blue tarps over the horizontal mast and life lines. My problem is that the the life lines and life-line stanchions to not allow a sufficient pitch to enable water to drain off easily; the water pools on the tarp and builds up with each rainstorm. In looking at the tarp pictured on your post, I suspect you will have the same problem; look at the area amidship, right in front of the companionway and you will see a low spot in the tarp where the water will collect. Use caution in choosing this tarp system and consider the climate you will be in. Here in North Idaho, we get a lot of rain and snow in the winter and it is driving me nuts. I may have to go to indoor covered storage next year -- big bucks. good luck