Ideas Regarding Spray Cloths

[JPA Cate]

DDabs,

I went back and looked at your pic of the weather cloth. Lace or secure with knots at the top. At the bottom, it extends to about 1" above the toe rail. I would secure that with black bungie, fairly light weight, only on the fore and aft corners. What happens is that it will fill up when you get a big wave, and it will be better for all if the bungie stretches or even breaks away at the bottom, rather than tearing the fabric out. It is easy to carry bungie string, and you really want the water to be able to go away.

Ann

P.S. usually, I make ours about 3" above our perf. toerail, for the reasons above.

[Snowpetrel]

+1 Leave the bottom open and bungeed or when you stick the lee deck under it scoops water into the cockpit and either rips the cloth or rips out a stanchion.

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[boatman61]

So.. when are you starting your seamanship/sailing classes..??
40fts a boat you need to know a fair bit for.. before you head out..

[DDabs]

Thanks again for all the help everyone. Here's how I ended up tying them:







Not the best photos, but I tied a clove hitch and a few half hitches on every grommet except the four holes on the bottom that aren't near a stanchion. The cloth has a bit of flex to it and the bottom has room to give if a wave hits it. Seems pretty secure and I like the look of the hand-tied knots. Now time to go tie the other side...

boatman, I will be getting my 6-pack captain's license in two weeks, but other than that, haven't really considered doing any of the ASA classes. I am going to be spending all Summer cruising up and down the East coast of the US, and then planning a voyage to Grenada as soon as the hurricane season ends. I'm not planning any trans-oceanic passages quite yet! I am comfortable handling this vessel though, not much different than the 35 footer I grew up with. Still, always a lot to learn though!

[Orchidius]

I'm not sure it's been said here before, but be sure you can take it down during heavy weather or in port when you have to leave the boat for a long while. They create a lot of extra windage.