The Sad Tale of My Dinghy Cover

[drjjlloyd]

Beautiful! I exclaimed after seeing the dinghy cover for the first time. It was a hassle to put on, but no problem. It's protecting my dinghy. It obstructs my view behind me, but no problem! It cost a bunch of money, but that's okay. It's protecting my dinghy! Many people get 20 years use from a hypalon dinghy but I only got 10. That expensive, work intensive, view blocking cover rubbed a hole in my Aquapro hypalon dinghy. Attached is what it looks like after paying for professional patch attempt. $2000 learning experience!

[Cowboy Sailer]

Don't you just hate it when that happens?

[Cheechako]

If it aint broke don't fix it! Yeah.... sometimes solutions are problems for sure... I bought a fancy hooped boat cover once... like a conestoga wagon top,,,, the tie downs rubbed thru my lifeline vinyl coating in short order! and the thing was a PITA to set up and take down when it blew hard. Worst investment I ever made.. Knew someone who had a boom tent mad and it rubbed thru the main cover and wore a hole in the sail!

[Stu Jackson]

After spending $90 for a canvas cover from our local Zodiac dealer which only lasted two years, I started getting queen sized fitted sheets. Lots easier on both the wallet and the dinghy.

[JPA Cate]

FWIW,

Having "chaps" made for the dinghy seems a better option, as they don't chafe the dinghy tube material. If you are interested to tackle making your own, I suggest you first read Sail-Rite's "tutorial" about doing it. Ours would possibly have come out better if I'd been smart enough to have done that!

Ann

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

FWIW,

Having "chaps" made for the dinghy seems a better option, as they don't chafe the dinghy tube material. If you are interested to tackle making your own, I suggest you first read Sail-Rite's "tutorial" about doing it. Ours would possibly have come out better if I'd been smart enough to have done that!

Ann

Definitely second that. Chaps are the way to go. They protect the tubes both when stored and in use. Probably not too good with PVC air floor protection, however. A problem with full dinghy covers is that if they are waterproof they inhibit draining. I had a dinghy that collapsed the trailer after a night of heavy rain (like 600mm overnight and, no, that's not a typo) because the cover inhibited the water draining out and it filled up like a big bathtub!

[onestepcsy37]

Friend of mine made me a dinghy cover out of an old discarded dinghy sail. Took him about 30 minutes to cut, sew, and put a dozen grommets in it. The sail was free and his time was free but I forced $20 on him anyway. Can't imagine a pro would charge more than $50 or so for the same work. Been a year now, and, like the guy who jumped off the Empire State Building said as he passed the 86th floor, "so far, so good".

[JPA Cate]

If I had a dinghy with an airfloor, I think I'd make a heavy cover for it that could be removed for when you want to roll it up. PVC Airfloors are vulnerable to fuel + oil spills.

Ann

[drjjlloyd]

Update: I finally got the leak fixed. Dinghy is still in use, but certainly without the cover!

John