With the basic frame in place we were able to confirm that we could use our existing heavy duty tarpaulin (10' x 8') across the bow area and would need to buy another of at least 13' x 16' to allow enough room to give a good overlap across our existing tarp and overhang over the frame and down past the gunwhales.
Before putting the tarps in place we sanded the sharp edges off the frame to make sure we didn't have any pressure areas that might tear and rip and also to save us getting splinters in our scalps when we started working underneath!
We bought a transparent cover, reinforced with a sort of lattice work to enable us to have good natural light when we're working with the cover still in place. Whilst not as expensive as a 'proper' heavy duty UPVC or cotton canvas cover we're working on the basis that for £20 if this one lasts the season and does the job then we're quids in.
Entry into the cockpit is via the stern (good excuse to have to keep the weight off!) although it's easy to untie one of the corners if our backs start to complain. We've spent the last few weeks saving milk containers so that we can fill them with water and use them to add weight to the sides of the cover, as well as securing it around the bottom of the boat with rope.
The finished effort is shown below and has worked really well - and has so far survived heavy rain and force 5 gusts!
UPDATE: Now I'm re-reading this at the end of January 2014 I can report it has withstood force 7 gusts and torrential rain with little ingress. One slight modification we made was to twist the cable ties away from the tarpaulin and covered them with tape as they had caused small tears where they had rubbed in the high winds - another lesson learned!
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| Fully open and tied up for working in good weather |
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