Spirit of Gratitude
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2009
- Messages
- 334
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-288 C
- Hull Identification Number
- R2924
- Vessel Name
- Spirit of Gratitude
- MMSI Number
- 338105727
Some people have asked about my boat cover on PM. Below is my answer to them on the issue. Just thought is was easier then answering the question more then once. I don't like to type that much! Lol
I had my cover custom built. I searched for the right person for over a year. I found a guy in Ca that really took the time to build it right. It would not do any good to give you his info because he won't build one without the boat and I see you are on the East coast.
What I can tell you is what makes mine so perfect so you can keep it in mind when you are searching for the right guy to do yours.
My cover is made out of Sunbrella material. It is the best money can buy. Some guys will try to talk you into building it in two pieces. One piece is better but can be a bit to handle. I put mine on by myself.
I had soft felt sown in along where the cover wants to rest against the blue brows and along the hull where I tighten it with the draw strings. This is to keep it from hurting the gelcoat in those areas.
The boot around the mast and anchor is all reinforced. I have solar so I have clear windows where it rest on the panels. My batteries stay full all the time! I have a felt cover that raps around my solar panels that keeps the cover from going up against sharp edges. I had it built for the aft cockpit cover to stay up all the time. The cover comes right to the back of that cover then there is a zipper. I pull the loose end of the rest of the cover over the swimstep and patio rails then zip it up. It is a real tight fit after it is zipped. This also allows me to go in and out of the boat without removing the whole cover.
I have a couple of those sailboat lock down cleats on my trailer. I run the lower draw strings through them and pull it tight. Then I have tie downs all around the cover with eyehooks installed on the trailer. When I have it all tied down it is very tight. I do not tow with it on. This could cause problems with chaffing.
It is the best cover I have ever had. It was worth the time to find the right guy to do it right.
It weighs about 90lbs. He built a bag that it all fits in. When taking the cover off I roll it up from the aft forward. Then put it in the bag so when I put it back on the boat I start forward and roll it back. It comes out of the bag just how I put it in so it goes pretty easy. It took a few time of doing it but now that I have the hang of it it is no big deal. When the boat is on the trailer I back my truck up to the bow and stand on the tailgate and lug it up on the bow. That is the hardest part. I would think your cover would be a bit easier with you having a 27.
I will try to make a video of the whole process if I have time and post it.
I would not do any kind of cover other then a custom one. A loose cover can do lots of damage to a boat.
The cost was $3500.00 but made a cash deal for $2900.00. It is worth every penny and I would do it all over again. I would expect to pay somewhere between 3&4 thousand.
I am having custom dark blue covers made for my upper brows on the boat. This is for during the week in the summer months when it sits in the water. I will pull them off on the weekends. The brows want to fade because they sit facing the sun. This will help keep that from happening.
The hull I wax three times a year with 3M products. I can do it by myself in about a hour with applying the wax with a car buffer. I can shave in the morning by looking into the reflection in my hull. I wax the Carmel stripe three time a year also. All the white gelcoat is down twice a year.
I do a light sanding on my two varnished doors in the cockpit and apply a coat of varnish once a year. The trick to all of this, is it to do it before it start showing ware.
I am a working man with a very expensive toy. I will protect my investment at any cost! I see to many boats out there that do not get used and sit in the hot sun and rot! Some people just have to much money and no sense.
Hope this helps,
Stuart
I had my cover custom built. I searched for the right person for over a year. I found a guy in Ca that really took the time to build it right. It would not do any good to give you his info because he won't build one without the boat and I see you are on the East coast.
What I can tell you is what makes mine so perfect so you can keep it in mind when you are searching for the right guy to do yours.
My cover is made out of Sunbrella material. It is the best money can buy. Some guys will try to talk you into building it in two pieces. One piece is better but can be a bit to handle. I put mine on by myself.
I had soft felt sown in along where the cover wants to rest against the blue brows and along the hull where I tighten it with the draw strings. This is to keep it from hurting the gelcoat in those areas.
The boot around the mast and anchor is all reinforced. I have solar so I have clear windows where it rest on the panels. My batteries stay full all the time! I have a felt cover that raps around my solar panels that keeps the cover from going up against sharp edges. I had it built for the aft cockpit cover to stay up all the time. The cover comes right to the back of that cover then there is a zipper. I pull the loose end of the rest of the cover over the swimstep and patio rails then zip it up. It is a real tight fit after it is zipped. This also allows me to go in and out of the boat without removing the whole cover.
I have a couple of those sailboat lock down cleats on my trailer. I run the lower draw strings through them and pull it tight. Then I have tie downs all around the cover with eyehooks installed on the trailer. When I have it all tied down it is very tight. I do not tow with it on. This could cause problems with chaffing.
It is the best cover I have ever had. It was worth the time to find the right guy to do it right.
It weighs about 90lbs. He built a bag that it all fits in. When taking the cover off I roll it up from the aft forward. Then put it in the bag so when I put it back on the boat I start forward and roll it back. It comes out of the bag just how I put it in so it goes pretty easy. It took a few time of doing it but now that I have the hang of it it is no big deal. When the boat is on the trailer I back my truck up to the bow and stand on the tailgate and lug it up on the bow. That is the hardest part. I would think your cover would be a bit easier with you having a 27.
I will try to make a video of the whole process if I have time and post it.
I would not do any kind of cover other then a custom one. A loose cover can do lots of damage to a boat.
The cost was $3500.00 but made a cash deal for $2900.00. It is worth every penny and I would do it all over again. I would expect to pay somewhere between 3&4 thousand.
I am having custom dark blue covers made for my upper brows on the boat. This is for during the week in the summer months when it sits in the water. I will pull them off on the weekends. The brows want to fade because they sit facing the sun. This will help keep that from happening.
The hull I wax three times a year with 3M products. I can do it by myself in about a hour with applying the wax with a car buffer. I can shave in the morning by looking into the reflection in my hull. I wax the Carmel stripe three time a year also. All the white gelcoat is down twice a year.
I do a light sanding on my two varnished doors in the cockpit and apply a coat of varnish once a year. The trick to all of this, is it to do it before it start showing ware.
I am a working man with a very expensive toy. I will protect my investment at any cost! I see to many boats out there that do not get used and sit in the hot sun and rot! Some people just have to much money and no sense.
Hope this helps,
Stuart