Tag Archives: Sunbrella

Winch Covers – Why I Learned Pi

Exterior Projects, Projects, Saving money, , , ,
Pi - The number π is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and is approximately equal to 3.14159. Wikipedia In high school I wondered why in the world I would need to understand pi, you know 3.14.  Math and I got along just enough to get through.  Now I know!  I have actually used pi in a practical application.  Very exciting for a non-math type.  I used pi to figure out how to pattern a winch cover.  Winch covers are valuable for protecting those important winches that help give us ability to manage lines under load.  And they have a habit of getting lost or blowing away in a storm.  It's likely you'll need to make extras at some point. Materials you'll need: - Sunbrella - Read more [...]

Sunbrella – Grade A

Fav things, Saving money, , , , , ,
Marine canvas use isn't all the same.  So when you are looking at prices online be sure you are looking at the same fabric before you decide you have the best deal.  You also want the right fabric for the right job for the best performance and durability with exposure to the sun, wind and rain.  Most of us sailors use Sunbrella because, well,  it just works.  It is tough enough for our marine environment, but offers a variety of color and style choices.  It is fairly forgiving and easy to sew.  While there are other outdoor fabric brands to consider, we'll save that comparison for a future post. Here are some points to consider regarding the grades of Sunbrella most likely to be used aboard: Sunbrella Marine grade - This is Read more [...]

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

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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 [...]

Hatch Pillows – Putting the Hatches to Bed and Insulating the Boat

Interior Projects, Projects, Saving money, , , , ,
We haven't seen hatch pillows on other boats.  Have you?  No?  Maybe you have shades instead?  Those seemed expensive to me.  A previous version of the pillows was on our boat when we bought her.  We thought they were kinda silly. They had stars on one side. Like looking up to the stars, but we were inside? We have grown to like our hatch pillows so much that we are remaking them to match our new decor.  These pillows are made of foam cut to fit the inside of the hatch area and covered in outdoor fabric (Robert Allen - Gales Point) and Sunbrella. They keep out light at marinas and eliminate a bright full moon at anchor for sleep.  These pillows also provide a bit of insulation with a bit of breath-ability so there isn't too much heat Read more [...]