DIY Boat Cover

[Ali_Colquhoun]

Hi,

I am planning to make a cover for my RIB, has anyone attempted this before? Any top tips on material or thread?


Thanks.

[Festinghouse]

ive made 2, with the 2nd one being by far the best. its made out of reinforced pvc similar to wagon curtain sides, with all the joins overlapped and welded rather than sewn. this is quite easy with only a bit of practice, all you need is a hot air gun and a decorators seam roller. its not breathable, but with the gaps around the engine air is able to circulate.

[Ali_Colquhoun]

Thank you, that is very interesting.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

ive made 2, with the 2nd one being by far the best. its made out of reinforced pvc similar to wagon curtain sides, with all the joins overlapped and welded rather than sewn. this is quite easy with only a bit of practice, all you need is a hot air gun and a decorators seam roller. its not breathable, but with the gaps around the engine air is able to circulate.

I bet it's got a nice quilted lining & some loverly brass handles on it too[emoji23]

[Festinghouse]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I bet it's got a nice quilted lining & some loverly brass handles on it too[emoji23]

haha, now there's an idea!

[gtflash]

The cost of the fabric will shock you. I am about to make a console cover. It was cheaper to buy a ducksback rib cover than the cost of the materials. Not done it yet to part wisdom though.

[Ali_Colquhoun]

I was shocked by the cost of a decent ready made one! Upwards of 400 quid. I figure I can buy good material for 100-150 max and make a much better one than the ebay cheapys that sell for a similar price.

[lachanpb]

I am just about to start the same project. I have left over Sunbrella fabric. I was looking at using the pattern on the sailrite web site.

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Ali_Colquhoun

I was shocked by the cost of a decent ready made one! Upwards of 400 quid. I figure I can buy good material for 100-150 max and make a much better one than the ebay cheapys that sell for a similar price.

I think you are in for a surprise how much work it takes not to mention an industrial sewing machine. I assume you won't be going the sewing route though?

Post some pics up along the way though.

[Nos4r2]

The Ducksback size 4 fits a standard SR5.4 perfectly. I paid 77 quid for one for mine the other week.

They usually last 2-3 years, but when it dies you can use it as a pattern to make your own and you've got all the webbing and clips etc already.

[Ali_Colquhoun]

I have ordered a few fabric samples and I will see how I get on with various joining methods.

Thanks for all the good ideas, including the use of the ducksback as a model. I will see how I get on and post some updates showing any particular success or failure!

[IainK]

Hi Ai,
My 5.4 Searider has an altered one due to be made up this spring using a brand new HGV cover, a cancelled order of 5.0m x 8.0m of heavy duty heat weldable fabric material with perimeter heavy bungee cord for £110 - check out any local HGV Curtain Sider Manufacturer - they will have these to clear. Best wishes Iain

[ISLANDRIBBER]

Hi Ali,
We used Weathermax80 to make our Rib cover in 2015 and it still looks like new. Bought a big offcut from the States on EBay as it was much cheaper that way. Good Medium weight fabric specially made for the Marine market and used by the US Navy. Bit of a pig to work with but end result is excellent. Be careful if you are going to sow it as the correct type of thread is a must otherwise it will just split at the seams after a season. A

[andrewe251003]

Has anyone successfully used a ducksback cover with an A frame? I've just bought one and tucking it down the sides of the a frame once it's over the tubes leaves a large gap between the cover and transom. It also leaves it loose lengthways.