Category Archives: Projects

Fun with Fender Covers

Exterior Projects, Projects, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,
We’ve done a man overboard drill with a fender that accidentally went overboard in the Charleston Harbor and lost one in a Gulf Stream crossing.  Fun with fenders.  For all the pounding they take protecting our boat hull from those pilings, piers,  and other  boats we should treat them well.  Sew fender covers for them! I’ve seen a variety of fender covers for sale from about $15 to $100 (engraved with your boat name!).  To save money, I’ve made fender covers from fleece purchased at the local fabric store for under $10 per yard (JoAnn Fabric had it on sale for $4/yard).  It takes about a yard to make a fender cover (less if it's 60" width fabric).  And it is really a beginner project that any Seamless Sailor can whip out Read more [...]

Sport-A-Seat Covers–Part II

Exterior Projects, Projects, Seamless Sailors, ,
You’ll recall a recent post on my Sport-A-Seat cover project.  About the same time our friend, Prue Preston on Exuberant, was planning to do the same project.  We each had different approaches so we thought we'd see what worked best from each attempt.  Prue did an excellent job and gets high marks for fit and finish.  She admits to some cursing and seam ripping but don’t we all! Prue selected this lively stripe from several very nice Sunbrella swatches to go with their recently redone cockpit cushions and the boat’s color scheme.  They have a very pleasant Hylas cockpit used, besides the obvious passage-making, for happy hours and late morning Christmas mimosas (in champagne flutes no less). She did a great lay out to maximize Read more [...]

Mesh Snorkel Back Pack – Time for the Beach

Crafts, Projects, , , , , ,
I wanted a bag to carry all my sandy snorkeling and beach paraphernalia.  Last year during hikes to snorkel sites in the Exumas I didn’t have a light bag to throw over my shoulders to lug my fins and mask, bottle of water and towel. It would be a bonus if the bag would handle wet, sandy items on  the return trip. We have a dry pack but I didn’t want to have to deal with getting sand out of it.  So, with some extra mesh fabric and Phifertex Plus I came up with a fairly simple back pack design with a drawstring top. If I were to remake it, I’d make the shoulder straps adjustable.  You might find that Phifertex than Phifertex Plus used for the 10” base would be fine if not maybe a bit better for managing sand.  I used materials Read more [...]

Sport-A-Seat Covers–Save Your Seat

Exterior Projects, Projects, , ,
Extending the life of pricey cockpit seats can save you money.  These Sport-a-Seats aren’t cheap, but they are worth it for your comfort on a voyage.  There isn’t a lot of sewing in this seat cover project, but there is plenty of planning. This is a good beginner project. The idea for this project came from Good Old Boat magazine which had an article entitled “Protection in Plaid” by Don Casey (March/April 2014 issue, page 46).  If you don’t have the magazine or don’t subscribe, you can buy a back copy for $8. (It’s not appropriate to reprint the article since it is their copy-written content.)  It’s worth the price for this project as he has very good details and graphics showing the design layout. I had ideas Read more [...]

Curtains As Individual As Your Boat

Interior Projects, Projects, ,
Tammy Swart on Dos Libras has been working on curtains for her boat.  As we exchanged notes about her project she pointed out that boats are so different and you have to figure out what works for your boat when it comes to curtain installation.  So check out how she did hers in her blog post on "Things we did today".  Her simple and smart solution may surprise you. In a previous post I provided a few ideas how others had created boat curtains. I think that's the fun part of doing a project like curtains.  You can personalize them to make your boat your home.  I used curtain tracks and installed tabs in the curtain edges for the curtains on Magnolia. Don't forget - There is a Seamless Sailor Pinterest board for boat curtains here Read more [...]

A Junior Seamless Sailor Sews a BBQ Cover

Exterior Projects, Projects, ,
During a recent wind storm, the Captain woke to say he left the canvas barbeque cover out on the aft deck after barbequing our favorite rosemary pork loin. Cover presumed gone. Oops.  New BBQ cover needed.  He suggested that it sounded like an opportunity for him to learn how to sew.  Since we were laid up for a day or so at anchor till the blustery 25 knot winds passed, it seemed like as good a time as any to have a teachable moment.  Fortunately we stock a few yards of Sunbrella on board and at the ready. The Captain came up with the measurements and plan. A round base with sides and a casing at the top.  Nothing fancy. The design was presented at Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) level reviews* and ultimately Read more [...]