Open water season can be short, but keeping a boat properly extends the life of its materials by years. Self-tailoring a protective awning is not just a budget save, but also the ability to create the perfect product for your boat's specific configuration. Ready-made options often do not take into account the presence of sonars, transom wheels or specific shapes of cylinders, whereas tailoring solves these problems.
The process of creating protection requires accuracy in calculating and selecting the right materials that are resistant to UV and moisture. In this article, we will discuss all the steps: from choosing the right materials to choosing the right ones. oxford or tent Before you finish fitting on the finished product, you will learn how to avoid common beginner mistakes and get results that will last for years.
Before you pick up scissors, you need to clearly understand what type of protection you need, this can be a cover for transport on a trailer or an awning for a trailer. long-stay In the first case, it's aerodynamics and density, in the second case, ventilation and protection from precipitation, and the wrong design type can lead to moisture accumulation inside and mold.
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring shrinkage, and many polyester-based or cotton-based materials can change their size after first contact with water or even just by tension. Always lay a technological allowance of 3-5% on shrinkage when cutting.Otherwise, the finished product may be small, and the seams will experience critical stress.
The choice of material is the foundation of the durability of your product. The market offers many options, but not all are suitable for the aquatic environment. Oxford specialized tent PVC-coated materials: the former are lighter and cheaper, the latter are more reliable and durable.
When buying, pay attention to the density of fabric, which is measured in den (day) or g / m2. For boats up to 3 meters long, an oxford 210-240 den with polyurethane coating (PU) is quite suitable. transportation At high speeds or under the scorching sun, it is better to choose denser options with the PU 1000 marking and above.
- 🧵 Oxford fabric: Light, quickly dries, has a characteristic weaving "cornea", great for light shelters.
- 💧 Tent fabric (PVC/PE): Heavy, completely waterproof, does not burn out in the sun, ideal for winter storage.
- 🛡️ Bilateral coating: It is recommended to choose a material where the protective layer is applied on both sides of the threads for maximum tightness.
Water-repellent impregnation is also an important parameter. Even if the fabric does not get wet through, the lack of impregnation can cause the top layer to become saturated with water, become heavy and begin to let moisture through under pressure. seasonal open-air.
So, in the practical sense, you can't underestimate the importance of accurate measurements, because a PVC boat is not a rigid hull, it's an inflatable structure that can change shape, so you need to measure from a boat that's already pumped to working pressure, and you need a soft tailor's tape, a helper, and, preferably, all the accessories that you can have under the cover.
Start by measuring the maximum length and width. Then measure the height at the highest point, usually the middle of the cylinders or an inflatable seat. Be sure to add overhang tolerances: to protect against oblique rain and dirt, the fabric must fall below the side by at least 15-20 cm. quilt Or anchor, their dimensions should also be taken into account in the overall height.
☑️ Preparation for disclosure
The easiest way to build a pattern is to use projection or paper/film patterning, and if you don't have much experience, you can decompose a plastic film on the floor, circle the outlines of the boat with a marker, and then move the dimensions to paper with all the additives, and this "example" will avoid fatal errors when cutting expensive fabric.
The shape of the case deserves special attention. A simple rectangular bag will collect water and sail in the wind. It is better to design the product immediately with the contours of the boat. To do this, measure the height of the board in the nose, middle and stern. These data will create a pattern that will fit tightly. boat-building, minimizing sailing.
⚠️ Attention: Never put the case on the boat "in the string" between the fabric and the cylinders should remain an air gap for ventilation, tight fit will lead to condensation, which will provoke mold and unpleasant smell inside.
Once the pattern is ready and checked, you can go to the cut. Spread the fabric on a flat surface, making sure that the direction of the lobe strand (if noticeable) goes along the length of the boat. This will ensure the correct geometry of the product and prevent distortion. Use sharp scissors or a disc knife to keep the edges of the slices smooth and not crumble.
You'll need a powerful sewing machine to sew through thick layers of fabric, and household models may not be able to handle the denser layers of fabric. oxford If the machine misses stitches, try replacing the needle with a thicker one (size 100-110) and using special 44LL or 70LL threads that are resistant to rotting and ultraviolet light.
- ✂️ Let me tell you the details. Cut the main part (roof) and side stripes (skirt) taking into account the seams at least 2-3 cm.
- 🧵 Edge treatment: Before cutting the main seams, it is recommended to melt or treat the cuts with an overlock to prevent them from falling during operation.
- 🔒 Furniture: Prepare the luvers, slings and fastexes in advance, which will be used to attach the cover to the boat.
It's best to start by connecting the central canvases, if the cover is made up of several parts. Then the side strips are sewn. The seams must be strong, so use a double or triple stitch. To increase the places of greatest tension (corners, mounting places slings), be sure to put the slings. fixture Or additional lats from the same fabric.
How do you make the seam waterproof?
A regular stitch lets water through the needle holes. To be completely tight, the seams need to be glued with a special suture tape or smeared with liquid PVC glue. However, for a cover that is not constantly under water, you just need to use threads with water-repellent impregnation and make frequent stitches.
The important step is to install the mounting system, and the case should not fly away at the first gust of wind, and to do this, you can install lovers or strut loops along the perimeter of the product, at a distance of 30-40 cm from the edge, and you can put a cord into these holes that will pull the skirt of the cover around the boat.
If you're planning to transport a boat on a trailer, you need to have a more serious locking system, which is not just a laver, but a sewn pocket for the longitudinal and transom belts, which will prevent the fabric from moving and friction against the boat's hull at high speed, which is especially important for maintaining the safety of the boat. coating Or the color of the balloons.
⚠️ Attention: Metal luvers can oxidize and rust, leaving leaks on the fabric. It is recommended to choose luvers made of brass, stainless steel or durable plastic that will not damage the cylinders in accidental contact.
Ventilation is a key factor that is often overlooked: in a confined space under a cover, when temperatures change, condensate forms; in order to keep the boat safe, you need to provide ventilation holes, which can be made from plastic pipe segments glued into the fabric, or you can use ready-made PVC vent valves for boats.
Ventilation should be located at the highest point of the cover (for the release of warm moist air) and in the lower part on the leeward side (for the influx of fresh), 2-4 holes with a diameter of 50-70 mm, protected by a net from insects, will ensure a constant constant flow of air. air-exchange And keep the boat's materials dry.
To create effective ventilation without buying special valves, you can use segments of a plastic sewer pipe with a diameter of 50 mm, glued between the layers of fabric and closed on top with a “fungus” of the same material to protect against rain.
To illustrate this, we compare the specifications of the materials most commonly used for sewing, which will help you decide on the choice of fabric for your particular case.
| Characterization | Oxford 210D (PU) | Oxford 600D (PU) | Tent fabric (PVC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/m2) | ~120-140 | ~260-280 | ~600-900 |
| Water resistance | Medium (up to 500 mm) | High (up to 1000 mm) | Complete (10,000+ mm) |
| Resistance to UV | Medium | High. | Very high. |
| Weight of the product | Light. | Medium. | Heavy. |
| Price. | Low. | Medium | High. |
Once you've stitched all the pieces together, it's time for the final fitting, put the case on the pumped boat, it should sit loose, but not hang around, check if the fabric is tightening at the sharp corners of the transom or the cans, and if all is well, you can install the attachment fittings.
Stretch the cord around the perimeter. For ease of use, fasten the locking locks at the ends of the cord. This will allow you to quickly pull and loosen the case. Make sure that the cord is not directly on the cylinders, but is on a weight or on a special shelf so that you do not rub it over. PVC.
If the case is to be used for storage in the off-season, it can be used to put a few plastic bottles or special props in the center of the boat, creating a dome from which water will roll down, rather than accumulate in the center, forming dangerous "water bags" weighing tens of kilograms.
The main secret of the durability of the case is not so much the strength of the fabric as in proper ventilation and the absence of points of constant tension that destroy the material most quickly.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the boat covered with a cover in direct sun for a long time without ventilation. The effect of a greenhouse under a dark cloth can heat the air inside to critical temperatures, which will deform the adhesive seams of the boat.
Adherence to tailoring technology and the use of quality materials will allow you to create a product that will last for more than one season. Properly sewn case is a reliable protection of your boat from dust, dirt, bird droppings and ultraviolet light.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the design, adding pockets for accessories or reflective elements for safety in the parking lot. Homemade awning often surpasses store counterparts in functionality, as it is made with all the nuances of a particular particular particular nuance. boat.
☑️ Final pre-storage check
In conclusion, the care of the cover itself is also important, and it must be removed periodically, cleaned with a soft brush and dried, and if you keep the boat in winter, check the shelter once a month, shake off the snow and remove the ice so that the fabric is not damaged.
Now that you know the intricacies of the process, the question of how to sew a case on a boat is no longer a mystery to you. Armed with knowledge of materials, the right measures and tools, you can create a reliable protection for your boat, the main thing is not to rush in the cutting stage and measure twice before cutting.
Good tailoring and calm water in the new season! Remember that the time spent on the quality preparation of the boat for storage or transportation, pays off long and hassle-free operation.
Do I need to glue the stitches of the cover?
For a covering awning that is on the shore, it is enough to use thick threads with water-repellent impregnation (LL, LHT). The firmware itself creates micro holes. The sutures are only needed if the cover is constantly under water pressure (for example, a tent tranza) or if very thin fabric is used. For standard storage, a sufficiently good tension and overhang of fabric.
Which color of fabric is better to choose?
Light colors (gray, beige, light green) reflect the sun's rays better, preventing the boat from overheating inside. Dark colors (blue, black, green) look aesthetically pleasing and less stained visually, but warm up more in the sun. If the boat is in the open sun, choose light shades with a high UV reflectance.
How to replace the squirrels if they are not there?
Instead of metal loovers, you can use rings cut out of dense rubber or pasted from pieces of basic fabric (the “eye” method), plastic clips are also popular, or simply strong loops from a sling sewn by a zigzag, the main thing is that the edges of the hole are treated and not burst under load.
How often do I need to change my cover?
The service life of a quality case from the Oxford 600D is 3-5 years of active use. Tent fabric lasts longer - up to 7-10 years. Signs of the need to replace are the loss of water repellent properties (the fabric begins to wet, not roll water), cracks on the folds and burnout of color to the state of thinning threads.