Cover for mast-up storage

Hobie does not sell this, or is too expensive? what price range are you targeting?

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)

yelkenli1 wrote: Hobie does not sell this, or is too expensive? what price range are you targeting?

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.

MN3 wrote: 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)

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.

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.

as long as it can be adapted for mast-up (openings in the appropriate places, etc).

this one has velcro closures at all 4 shroud locations so it can be put on or removed mast up or down

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!

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

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

JohnES wrote: Kinder Industries has been making them for years and already have a long list of boats they have made them for.

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 🙂

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.com/pictures?g2_itemId=133151

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.

<a href="
https://www.kinderindustries.com/product-category/racing-one-design/racing-one-design-multihull/racing-one-design-hobie-18/
">
https://www.kinderindustries.com/product-category/racing-one-design/racing-one-design-multihull/racing-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.

I'd like to get something that splits the difference between this level and HF tarps/

Little cheaper -
$777.00

https://store.offshorespars.com/products/harken-hobie-wave-yard-cover?variant=12387492888678¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&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.net/hobie-17-18-catamaran-cover/

Edited by MN3 on Jun 12, 2020 - 01:59 PM.

Andinista wrote: 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.

Very helpful if I decide to go the DIY route! Nice work and a great explanation...

MN3 wrote:

I'd like to get something that splits the difference between this level and HF tarps/

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.net/hobie-17-18-catamaran-cover/ Edited by MN3 on Jun 12, 2020 - 01:59 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.

onemorecat wrote: [quote=JohnES]Kinder Industries has been making them for years and already have a long list of boats they have made them for.

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 🙂

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..

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.

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.

his 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/

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.

charlescarlis wrote: 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.

Yeah, the heavy duty silver one is what I bought. The HF manager denied knowing what UV protection was for a tarp.

Edchris177 wrote: I bought a 20 yard end roll four years ago

Where did you find the end roll offering?

klozhald wrote: 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.

This is rather promising - though I no longer own the Juki sewing machine that would have been perfect for doing the work! I'll have to see what I can do. Right now all their used material is in black, but even the new material is reasonably priced from what I can see.