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Ensign Sailing Forum

Cockpit cover
Author Last Post
Genius! I like it...will need for the Texas200 this summer.. thanks!

On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 10:57 AM, Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:
Several years ago I used Fleet 72's Nifty Idea-sun shade to make a similar shade cover that would fit in my dock box. I made the 8' long pvc pipes into two 4' long pieces that can be connect with threaded fittings. The cover can be disassembled and rolled up in an overall length of 4'. See attached photos .

John E. Cutler
#1029
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Several years ago I used Fleet 72's Nifty Idea-sun shade to make a similar shade cover that would fit in my dock box. I made the 8' long pvc pipes into two 4' long pieces that can be connect with threaded fittings. The cover can be disassembled and rolled up in an overall length of 4'. See attached photos .

John E. Cutler
#1029
Thank you all so much for the suggestions and guidance!!  The idea of investing in a pre-made one is so enticing, for sure.  I’ll certainly look into the sailor tailor one and also will keep toying with the idea of building one. It’s great to see that it’s do-able! Thank you all, again!

Garrett
Thomas,

Very nice. We should start a section on the website where we can post helpful ideas like your cover. I'll se about setting one up.

Vic Roberts, Webmaster
#2032

-----Original Message-----
From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com [mailto:mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com] On Behalf Of Ensign Sailing Forum
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 5:35 PM
To: vic@victorroberts.com
Subject: re: [Ensign Sailing] Cockpit cover <<$191198145639$>>




Attached is photo of hardware store tarp and 4 pvc pipes. I switched to white tarp and it looks much more ship-shape. Nylon line attaches to mast and backstay, and optionally the two middle pipes can be attached to main halyard for better headroom. Plastic clips and cord tigteners like used on camping tents can secure the four corners to deck level.
Tommy Heausler
Redwing #595

Attachment(s):
File: 20130722_143135.jpg (3.6 MB) -- Address: http://s3.amazonaws.com/ClubExpressClubFiles/323935/attach/1911981_0_20130722_143135.jpg



Meanwhile, back to the original question. 
Sailorstailor.com
A good investment in never having to clean your boat or refinish your wood work (almost never, anyway).
Tommy Heausler
Redwing #595
PS:
The cockpit cover in photo in photo appears a bit droopy, a small adjustment to boom height snugs it up.
Attached is photo of hardware store tarp and 4 pvc pipes.  I switched to white tarp and it looks much more ship-shape.  Nylon line attaches to mast and backstay, and optionally the two middle pipes can be attached to main halyard for better headroom.  Plastic clips and cord tigteners like used on camping tents can secure the four corners to deck level.
Tommy Heausler
Redwing #595
Garrett,

Bruce Blackie of Fleet 72 designed a simple Bimini-style cover for his Ensign that you may find useful.

The design can be found on the Nifty Ensign Ideas page of the Fleet 72 section of the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club website.

The address for the Nifty Ensign Ideas page is
http://www.sailsaratoga.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=337813&module_id=59183

The Saratoga Lake sailing Club site is www.sailsaratoga.org. Look for the "Fleets" item on the left side menu, and then the Ensign fleet. Once on the Fleet 72 section, you will find links for a number of helpful "how to's" and ideas.

The text of the Bimini cover description is:

Inexpensive Bimini Sun Shade - enjoy your cold beverage at the dock or on the mooring!
Start with two 8 foot sections of 1 inch PVC pipe. Secure them to both ends of an 8X10 blue poly tarp. You can use eyebolts through the grommets but a piece of line will also work very well. On the aft piece of pipe, secure a line at the center which will be tied around the backstay when the shade is placed on the boom. Also on the aft pipe, a line is brought down to the rear deck from each end to help stabilize the sun shade. On the forward pipe, a center line can be secured around the mast. Also, a line is led from each end to one of the shrouds. This arrangement stabilizes the sun shade on the boom in very short order. When it's time to pack up, simply roll the shade on the pipes and place it under the coaming.

Vic Roberts
#2032

-----Original Message-----
From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com [mailto:mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com] On Behalf Of Ensign Sailing Forum
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 10:45 PM
To: vic@victorroberts.com
Subject: [Ensign Sailing] Cockpit cover <<$191140381769$>>




I’m wondering if anyone has made his/her own DIY cockpit cover. I’m planning to touch up the brightwork this spring and would love to create sort of an open boom tent just to keep the sun out through the summer. Has anyone had any success making something like this?

Thank you you in advance for any information! This boat is new to me and I’m thrilled to be sailing it!!

Garrett
Ensign 545


I need Jclips but cannot find them
Currently using PVC clamps...ugh

On Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 5:59 AM Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:

You could always weight a drop cloth or blue tarp wide enough to overlap the rub rails with plastic half gallon milk jugs.

Why not buy a real mast up cover that is held down with J clips on the rub rail that will last probably a decade?


James Bland
Ensign 2021, SPIRIT
Austin Yacht Club, Fleet 30
USNA class of '78

You could always weight a drop cloth or blue tarp wide enough to overlap the rub rails with plastic half gallon milk jugs.

Why not buy a real mast up cover that is held down with J clips on the rub rail that will last probably a decade?


James Bland
Ensign 2021, SPIRIT
Austin Yacht Club, Fleet 30
USNA class of '78
Garrett,

I made a full cover in two parts (mast back and mast forward) allowing me to cover the entire boat or just use the cockpit cover on trips or at the dock.  It was all custom fitted as I went so I don't really have a pattern. I know Fran has made a number of these and probably has better information.

Bud
Lake Murray Sailing Club
Ensign 1436
I’m wondering if anyone has made his/her own DIY cockpit cover. I’m planning to touch up the brightwork this spring and would love to create sort of an open boom tent just to keep the sun out through the summer.  Has anyone had any success making something like this? 

Thank you you in advance for any information! This boat is new to me and I’m thrilled to be sailing it!!

Garrett 
Ensign 545 
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