Looking for the wisdom and experience of the collected members for thoughts on a cover for mast-up storage of my H18. Haven't found too many options yet, and none seem to account for both mast-up and the presence of SX wings.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Cover for mast-up storage
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Posted: Jun 11, 2020 - 01:15 PM
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Posted: Jun 11, 2020 - 03:20 PM
Hobie does not sell this, or is too expensive? what price range are you targeting?
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Ted
Hobie 16
South Carolina Lake sailing
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Posted: Jun 11, 2020 - 04:06 PM
I have a cat cover for my 6.0
it is currently on my 5.5 and a little oversized
not sure where it was made and would probably be pricy new/custom but it's pretty sweet - or was in it's day
(need some love)
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Posted: Jun 11, 2020 - 07:39 PM
Trying to find out what the price would be for what I want. I could not find a Hobie cover designed for mast-up storage - theirs appear to be polyethylene semi-generic styles intended for hull and tramp protection only while the mast is lowered.
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Posted: Jun 11, 2020 - 07:43 PM
That's something like what I am aiming for, as long as it can be adapted for mast-up (openings in the appropriate places, etc). The one company I found that offers something like that is in Ohio, but I'm going to have to contact them to see if it will work since all their photos are with all lines, shrouds etc hidden and the mast down.
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 03:15 AM
A tarp may be a good temporary option until you can find someone to sew something better, BUT do not get a cheap tarp. I bought the best tarp Harbor Freight sells and in 7 weeks it parted right down the middle as I touched it. There was no UV protection whatsoever. If you shop tarps online make sure the description specifically mentions UV coating or you are not getting it.
Go here https://billboardtarps.com/ and look around. They sell old vinyl signs you could use as a cover, among other things.
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Sheet In!
Bob
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Prindle 18-2 #244 "Wakizashi"
Prindle 16 #3690 "Pegasus" Sold (sigh)
AZ Multihull Fleet 42 member
(Way) Past Commodore of Prindle Fleet 14
Arizona, USA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 08:15 AM
this one has velcro closures at all 4 shroud locations so it can be put on or removed mast up or down -
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 08:38 AM
I ended up getting used billboard material - they sell the stuff a lot if you look around. One billboard is a TON of tarp. It is, by design highly UV resistant and tough stuff. But, it's heavy stiff and usually black (hot). It does come in white. It sews and bastes very nicely; made about a half dozen water-proof prop covers for high school band. Don't expect it to be easy to handle, unless the cover is made to come apart. I intended to make a cover using the material, and still may - especially given what Bob said above - thought that silver backed tarp material from HF might work, but of course...cheap is cheap I guess. The billboard material can be had, usually locally very cheap - especially if you catch workers changing out a billboard. Cash and carry!
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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 09:05 AM
there is a reason sunbrella is used (and the industry leader) in most boat applications
my cover is at least 15 years old - sat in a garage most of it's iife but that is a hard life in florida.
you get what you pay for -
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 10:17 AM
Kinder Industries has been making them for years and already have a long list of boats they have made them for.
https://www.kinderindustries.com/product-category/racing-one-design/racing-one-design-multihull/
I have had two of them, one came with a boat that I bought and I bought a second one for another boat.. Good quality stuff, but not cheap
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 10:54 AM
Thanks, John - those are similar to another brand I found, and look like they may do the job very well - but as you say, they are at the extreme end of the price range. Ideally I'd like to get something that splits the difference between this level and HF tarps
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 11:22 AM
Here some pictures of my home made cover. I sew a new one every 2 or 3 years, I was normally using a reasonably cheap awning fabric. For the current one, that I made last februrary, I used UV resistant tarp, which was a bit cheaper and lighter. The white pieces on the stern were reused from the replaced cover because they were in good shape, it looks pretty cool also. The trampoline cover is a real one taken from a small yatch, I've got that one with the cat years ago. You can see that the tarp is stretched at the starboard hull above the front beam, this is because I made the whole piece too short this time, I used the old cover as template to cut the new one but something went wrong this time, ignore that detail... What I normally do is place the new fabric on the boat, fit it with masking tape and mark. You have to cut at the interferences (bridles, shrouds), cut along the beams the piece that will go above the trampoline, not all the way, only 40 cm or so, depending on the widht of the fabric. So the piece I get is the length of the boat + 1 mt more or so, which I cut in two pieces, one for each hull. The first part at the bow is a sleeve, I put that part first and then unroll towards the sterns, at the lower end of the rear part I put a sort small of batten each side that I clip together. For the cut under the bridle and under the shrouds I use SS turnbutton fasteners, very easy to install.
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=133151
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 01:33 PM
3-4 years ago bought one from Kinder Industries which I use mast up on a boat lift. Still looks great although prob could replace some of the hook and loop on one of the sides. Looks like they have options for H18....and wings.
http://
https://www.kinde…ng-one-design-hobie-18/
I am sure that if you give them a call and let them know what you are looking they can probably help.
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Steve
Nacra Inter 20
Okemos Michigan
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 01:56 PM
Little cheaper -
$777.00
https://store.offshorespa…utm_campaign=sag_organic
a lot cheaper - $308
This looks like it's not for mast up - but easy to modify
i doubt this would last a season for me
https://westcoastsailing.…e-17-18-catamaran-cover/
Edited by MN3 on Jun 12, 2020 - 01:59 PM. -
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 03:08 PM
Very helpful if I decide to go the DIY route! Nice work and a great explanation...
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 03:39 PM
I saw that in the Hobie accessories catalog, and it seemed like a bit too much money for something that would not last a lot longer than a cover adapted from UV-treated tarps. Thanks for making sure I'd seen it...
Your other, more expensive suggestion is worth following up - I'll ping them and see what they say about my specific interests.
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Tony H
Hobie 18
Sailing Mission Bay and nearby CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 05:19 PM
My father always use to tell me, spend you money right the fist time so you don't have to spend it a second time... if you go with the the other one let us know how it works out..
BTW - we got some races up here in Ventucky... come on up and join us..
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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 06:48 PM
I have a Kinder blue Sunbrella cover for my A cat. After 12 years, it is still going strong. You definitely get what you pay for.
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Master UniRig Sailor
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Posted: Jun 12, 2020 - 09:30 PM
An option no one has mentioned is a fabric called WeatherMax. It can be bought as end rolls of 10-20 yards for a very good price.
It beats Sunbrella hands down for weight, & has very good abrasion resistance, which Sunbrella lacks.
If I were DIY, this would be my choice.
I bought a 20 yard end roll four years ago, & have a retired neighbor who owned an awning company make covers for the jet ski, seats on the Jon boat, & kayak covers.
They look the same after 4 years as new, are very light, & stand up to abuse.
For a large project like an H18, the weight saving would be considerable.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Jun 13, 2020 - 03:31 PM
a data point: I have this on my boat in upstate SC, in full sun. It has lasted 7.5 years and I might go another year, though it looks ratty at this point, and the ties are beginning to crumble. It is easy to patch.
I goofed early on by having it on my boat without the tramp. The weight of the collected water damaged some of the straps. After that, I cut drain holes.
Other than lack of drain holes for year-round use, my other complaint is the ties need to be a few inches longer, or have clasps; and the fit around the shrouds is cut by the user and closed with velcro. The velcro has fallen off. A simple tie anchor on either side would close the seam and keep the sun out.
Update us on what you find. I will be in need soon.
Edited by yelkenli1 on Jun 13, 2020 - 04:35 PM.
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Ted
Hobie 16
South Carolina Lake sailing
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