Monthly Archives: October 2012

Five Tips Every Seamless Sailor Should Know About Canvas On Her Boat!

Fav things, Projects, Saving money, Why this blog?, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Originally appeared as a guest post for Women and Cruising Blog - October 18, 2012 Anyone else have canvas on her boat? Yes?! I do.  Lots of it. Big and small.  Canvas is important protective covering for your boat. It saves you money and time by protecting teak from the sun, keeping dirt out of your winches and instruments, and keeping you cool at anchor. Can you guess how many different canvas items you have on board? Quick without looking.  I counted 20+ unique items with some items having multiples in use at any given time on our Morgan sailboat, Magnolia.  That doesn't count functional and decorative fabrics below.  And I have plans to add more canvas on my growing sewing projects list! How many unique canvas items can you Read more [...]

Jerry Can Covers

Exterior Projects, Projects, , , , ,
March 2014 - Updated post on jerry cans here. Once you've found the best jerry can* to store extra water and fuels, you want to protect them from the sun and elements as they wait their turn to provide us with the reserves they hold.  Enter the canvas cover.  We'll be making covers for so many things on the boat.  This is a good basic project - no zippers or complex patterning.  It's an upside down tote bag or box.  Sides and a top.  Make a plan and think it through before cutting.  Disclaimer:  I haven't made these myself yet but I've been reading up on them as they are in my near future.  This is based on information from Canvas for Cruisers and other references and experience. You need about 1-2 yards of Sunbrella or similar Read more [...]

Boat Covers

Exterior Projects, Projects
Assuming that we are bypassing the question of leaving the boat in the water or putting it on the hard, boats in colder weather climates will likely benefit from a winter boat cover.  We'll also bypass the debate on shrink-wrap vs. a reusable cover since one reader specifically asked about making a reusable boat cover.  A cover can be a great tool for reducing wear on the boat in any weather if you won't be using it for long periods of time as well. It looks like the key to a successful covering is the frame you use underneath.  The Practical Sailor article and the blog noted below describe that.  Also be sure you have a way to get some air flowing through the boat periodically over the winter to avoid dreaded mildew come spring. Our Read more [...]

From the Annapolis Boat Show 2012

Fav things, Saving money, , ,
This comes under the category of a bipolar sewing-related and un-related blog post.  Fun at the Boat Show... Sailrite - I meant to take a picture of me talking to Matt Grant, but I forgot!  Darn. He was gracious to take a few minutes to chat while the booth was almost packed.  I made my suggestion of needle faceplate with measurements engraved on it.  He acknowledged that home sewing machines often have that feature.  But he feels that Sailrite machines are in the industrial category which wouldn't have measurements there.   OK I made my case.  (It could offered as an added option!)  Thanks for hearing me out, Matt!  He sold me the three piece kit with the larger magnetic fabric guide, the new thread spool holder and stitch length Read more [...]