Cockpit cover

Submitted by Richard Lewis on Sat, 08/27/2011 - 13:25
As I was getting my Scot ready for hurricane Irene's passage through Long Island, something that has always bothered me, this time bothered me enough to write this note. The FS tent cover that goes over the boom is generally a good protection against rain. But in a case like this, where you want to remove the sail and this tent cover to reduce all possible windage, there is no really good cockpit cover. The small one that clips fore and aft and is hung from the boom by a single line and rests on the seats leaves a good amount of open space fore and aft for rain to get in. This time I sealed these open spaces with tapped down black garbage bags and hope they will hold in the coming storm. Let's face it, FS needs a better 'small' cockpit cover. I wonder if anyone out there has solved this problem. R. Lewis FS 367 Chin Up
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Comments

Do you keep the boat in the water or on the trailer? Sailors ta

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Sat, 08/27/2011 - 14:09.
Do you keep the boat in the water or on the trailer? Sailors tailor and North both make flat covers that cover the whole deck. The main hayard pulls up about mid cockpit to make the water run off. They also work well for trailering. They should work on a mooring or on the trailer. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

Really I do not think your bags are going to hold.

Submitted by MrDave on Sat, 08/27/2011 - 14:11.
Really I do not think your bags are going to hold. Maybe they will because it is only a Cat 1 storm but it is like driving down the highway at 70 MPH and expecting them to stay in place. Best cockpit covers are made by Sailors tailor, but they will probably not last in a storm either. Even a new cover will tatter in the wind if not secured. We have been through several hurricanes in Florida. A good condition full cover (sides or not properly tied down will survive. Trailering covers work well too. Don't forget to tie the boat to the trailer and to the ground. Best thing if you only want or use the cockpit cover, is not to worry about the boat getting wet. Remove the sails, boom, and other loose equipment even lower the mast. Tie the boat to the trailer and to the ground. Hope and wish nothing hits it. Another choice is to leave the car out and put the boat in the garage. Easier to fix the car than the boat. Good luck. I lost a boat in Wilma.

I'm on LI too - Great South Bay.

Submitted by abl1111 on Sat, 08/27/2011 - 15:55.
I'm on LI too - Great South Bay. Waiting for Irene too, although I did pull my boat out yesterday. If you keep your boat on a mooring, like I do - I have a really great solution. Take a tractor battery - Sears $28, place in a battery box with a cover, attach a RULE bilge pump to the terminals - get the bilge pump with an internal float switch ( NOT the computer style ones that constantly cycle ) - place that on the floor near the base of the mast stanchion - use a bracket or attach with the 3M, "EZ Pass" velcro and velcro to the trunk - run the outlet hose out the centerboard trunk. You never have to worry about too much water. Nice pc of mind - light and the battery will last a season ! I like keeping the cockpit open - it allows you to take advantage of the nice days when the boat can dry out ! Hope this was helpful.

Thanks everyone - these are all good suggestions to consider bef

Submitted by Richard Lewis on Sun, 08/28/2011 - 17:04.
Thanks everyone - these are all good suggestions to consider before the next storm. My FS is tied up to a wet slip and the tent cover is generally a good protection and generally keeps out the rain. The downside of the deck cover mentioned is that I would have to stow the boom and sail below deck unless I kept that for only emergency situations, which is a possible approach. R.Lewis FS 367 Chin Up

The cover for the boat, with the boom in place is called a moori

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Mon, 08/29/2011 - 21:35.
The cover for the boat, with the boom in place is called a mooring cover. They work well, keep the whole deck clean and dry. They do catch more wind in a hurricane, and you can't trailer with them. I use one like this on my boat in a dry slip at the lake. You can compare various styles on Sailors Tailor website. They make a wide variety for the Scot. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club