Boat cover

[Sam]

Has anyone had a boat cover made and can recommend a supplier? This is for winter storage on land. I will need to keep the mast, gaff and bowsprit with the boat - horizontally as when towing. Many thanks, Sam

[dave_cawston]

For winter I have a simple heavy duty rectangular tarpaulin with plenty of eyelets, nothing fancy, which was made up by my local lorry tarpaulin manufacturer.  Sorry cannot remember the size.  He also made a copy of the summer tailored cover which is nice and streamlined for towing.  Just Google for your local tarpaulin supplier/manufacturer.

[Sam]

Thanks for the advice, Dave. I will give that a go.

[Pat Arnold]

Hello Dave,
Could you let me know the name of the cover manufacturer you used.  I am in Norfolk (too?).
Pat Arnold

[dave_cawston]

Hi Pat,

http://www.tomhughestarpaulins.co.uk/index.html

As you can see from their website they are based in North Shields.  To make a tailored/shaped cover, they need the original as a pattern, but not for rectangular/square etc..  A long long way from Norfolk (lost count of the number of times we have done that A1, A17, A47 journey to the Broads).

[Pat Arnold]

Many thanks, Dave.  Have found one near Fakenham.  What material have you used?  Canvas or PVC?

[dave_cawston]

Reinforced PVC.  I believe PVC lasts a lot longer than canvas, it does not rot but over time loses its elasticity, certainly in the case of my 20+ year old streamlined pvc cover.  But it still does the job.  Canvas will absorb moisture and rot unless kept very clean and waterproofed.

[Pat Arnold]

Good intel.  Many thanks.