A Junior Seamless Sailor Sews a BBQ Cover
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 [...]
Hatch covers add a nice protective layer to your expensive overhead hatches. They keep out sun or star light and might even help a bit deterring a little leak. Lexan polycarbonate windows are expensive and can be damaged if not cared for. A cover is a good way to help preserve these windows. Unfortunately, we seem to lose one or two covers a season to a bad storm or rotting shock cord. You can make an easy hatch cover in just a few hours.
I remade an old hatch cover previously and wrote about how I did it and resources I used here. This blog is about making a hatch cover from scratch. I've included the sizes I used for our hatches. You can adapt your hatch cover easily based on these sizes and proportions. 
So, you've got your sewing machine aboard. Do you have what you need to get your project started and completed? Wonder what to take on board or if you've forgotten something? Here's a list of the items I use most.
Tools
Hot knife or soldering tool - Essential for finishing the ends of Sunbrella to prohibit raveling. Don't forget a safe surface to use it on. See secret trick.
Heavy-duty scissors, fabric shears and small thread cutter - Like knives to a chef, scissors are to the Seamless Sailor.
Measuring tools, "L" and "T" shaped measuring tools - These measures are great for making patterns. Also need a short measure for at the sewing machine and metal yard stick.
Marking pens - light and dark. The washable ones work well 
Recently both Good Old Boat and Sailrite provided ideas for covering pushpit rails and catbird seats. Simple and straightforward, you too could be sitting pretty.
Good Old Boat (March/April 2013 issue) had an article on covering catbird seats by Clarence Jones that is easy enough for a non sewer. He used iron on fabric mending tape to create the seams and snaps to hold the cover on.
Sailrite just did a video too. They sewed the hems and used Velcro to fasten the cover.
They both used home foam insulation underneath.
Either way would make a nice comfortable perch for any catbird.
March 2013
Blog Dedication:
This post is dedicated to my cat, Stella, who will not be cruising with us as she has gone to the rainbow bridge 
Originally published as a guest post on The Boat Galley, February 20, 2013
What linens do you need to provision for use in the galley, clean up, and dining? While you can buy linens, they may not be exactly what you want or your style. It's not hard to make your own linens for your boat. Besides it's a great way to save some money. Practical and self-sufficient. That's the essence of being a Seamless Sailor. Here is a checklist eight types of linens that every Seamless Sailor should consider having in inventory.
1.. Kitchen towels - I like to have plenty of these - a fresh one every day or so depending on how much cooking we are doing. Any inexpensive bar or kitchen towel will do. No need to use paper towels all the time.