> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Would a black garbage bag work over the end of the CDI
> poking out from underneath a blue tarp? Is a blue
> tarp OK?
>
Hi webgang,
The blue tarp is fine. The black garbage bag might not work for you. I
tried using one this past winter, when it rains for days on end in Northern
California. The CDI sticks out past the front of our carport when I leave it
attached at the top to the mast. So I tied a garbage bag over the end.
The bag filled up with rainwater that dripped down the furler. Back to the
drawing board... I tied some sacrificial, fast-drying nylon cloth around it
with thin bungee cords.
Here's an idea for a partial sail cover (maybe worth exactly what you paid
for it -- nothing.) My idea is that the cover should provide sun protection,
the rain can drain out the bottom, and there's plenty of ventilation to
prevent mildew.
You could get some waterproof, breathable sunbrella-type fabric (as low as
$6/yd at my local surplus store, but typically $12-14/yard), about 6 feet
long by about 36" wide (check this dimension). Fold it in half so its 6' x
18". Put velcro or snaps or a zipper down the 6 foot edge and sew one 18"
edge together. Put this over the front end of the CDI that sticks out with
the snapped edge downward. Tie the front bottom corner down to the trailer
tongue so the snapped edge stays downward. Tie the other end to something on
the boat so your cover can't slip down the mast or rotate.
Last year, I made sailcovers out of sunbrella for our dinghies. I used my
home sewing machine. I broke alot of needles before I went to the store and
bought the "denim/canvas" needles with the stronger shanks made by the best
manufacturer. Don't waste your time or $ with the lesser brands if you
decide to try this.
Fair winds,
Judy B
Judith Blumhorst, DC
HMS18/P19 Fleet Cap'n, Potters Yachters
1985 WWP19 #266 Redwing
(Rigged so a petite woman can solo)
Sailing on SF Bay, CA
(5-35 knot winds, 2-4' chop, 2-6' swells, and currents up to 6 knots)
Visit <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/jblumhorst/HomePage/index.htm">Judy B's
West Wight Potter Pages
</A>
and <A HREF="http://songbird.com/potter_yachter/">The Official Web Site of
the Potter Yachters
</A>