Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In this video we will be showing you how to make weather cloths. These are little more
than a fabric wall of protection against the elements when sailing in rough, wet conditions,
permitting crew to sit in the cockpit without being constantly harassed by the wind and
soaked by spray and rain. Our weather cloths will fold over the linelines
or rails and snap in place. At the bottom they may be attached via line, shockcord,
or Velcro. Let's get started and show you how to make your own.
We will be making a port and starboard panel plus an aft panel. Making three panels will
reduce the overall size of the weather cloth which should provide for an easier and quick
installation. To make our weather cloths we will need to take a length and height measurement
on the boat. Now that we have the measurements we need
to add to the panel's overall size the amount for double hems and the fold over along the
top which we will snap over the lifeline. This illustration demonstrates the amount
of hem allowance and the extra fabric that will be required for the hem along the bottom
and fold over along the top edge. Simple mark the fabric to the correct length
and height as indicated in the previous illustration. Then cut out the fabric with scissors or a
hot knife. Since we will be creating a double hem on all sides we will just use scissors
as the fabrics unraveling will not be an issue, since that edge will be folded under.
We will be making the weather cloths from Sunbrella Marine Grade Fabric from Sailrite.
You may decide to install clear vinyl window material panels inside of the weather cloth
for better visibility. We're not going to be doing that here, but that is an option
you may choose to do if you would like a little bit better visibility.
Let's now work on creating our hems along the two long edges. To do this Angela is marking
the fabric with a soapstone pencil 2 inches up from the raw edge. Then she will apply
seamstick or double-sided basting tape for canvas so she can create a double folded hem
which will stick together so it can be taken to sewing machine to be sewn. Here she is
folding the first hem over to the line she struck down on the fabric. After that is done
she will yet again apply the basting tape for canvas to the edge and fold it over again,
thus creating our double hem. Next we will take the panel to the sewing
machine and sew this double hem down with a straight stitch about an 1/8" to ¼" away
from the edge. We want to sew with a long stitch length of 6mm or more to help prevent
needle pucker. The smaller the stitch length the more you will see wrinkles in the fabric
when held up and viewed from the side, so try using a 6mm stitch length to avoid that
issue. Be sure to reverse at the beginning and end of your sewing to lock the stitch
in place. We're using the Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1 sewing
machine to sew this weather cloth panel. Now follow that same procedure for the opposite
long side. However, here we are using the wider seamstick for canvas which is a ½ width.
The wider width gives it a little more sticking power so it is great for hems and seams on
Sunbrella Marine Grade fabric. Sailrite carriers three different size widths of seamstick for
canvas. The ¼" width is best for zippers and cushions, the 3/8" width is the standard
for most applications and the ½" width is best for large hems and seams because it provides
the most holding power. Whichever width you pick you will always find your next project
goes smoother with Seamstick for Canvas from Sailrite.
Now create the double hems on the two short ends, just as we did with the long sides.
We're going to skip ahead to the next step. On the boat Angela knows that ends of the
weather cloth will be up against stanchion poles so she is marking a location for a grommets
so we can tie it to the pole if desired. But more importantly we are going to fold the
top of our panel over the lifelines so we need to reinforce the area where snaps will
be installed. So here she is marking where the fold is located for our panel. Our lifeline
is 24" high so our fold should be at that location. This is where we need to install
the reinforcement and for us were going to use a 1" wide webbing for that. She continues
to make down the length of the panel where the webbing will be placed so she can strike
a line at that location. We will again be using seamstick for canvas
to pre-baste the webbing at the appropriate location prior to sewing it down.
Since the ends of the webbing may unravel we will use the Sailrite Edge Hotkninfe to
seal the ends of the webbing as we cut it to size. Then we will sew down each edge of
the webbing with a straight stitch. Before we can install the snaps we need to
position the cover on the boat so we know where each snap and or more grommets should
be placed. So, were going to install grommets at the two short ends. We will use these grommets
to secure the cover for preliminary in place to determine where the snaps should be installed.
Where we want the grommets installed we will use the hole cutter and the Premium Cutting
Block on the backside to prevent damage on the backside and a heavy mallet to punch the
holes. Then we will be installing a #1 spur grommet. This is a nickel plated brass grommet
and were going to use the #1 spur die set to install this spur grommet. Insert the male
portion in the hole place it on the anvil place the female portion with the teeth on
top and then give it a few blows with a heavy mallet to set the grommet in place. Do that
at each location where you want a grommet installed.
We're going to cut some 1/8" leechline to about 12 inches in length and these will be
used anywhere we want to tie the weather cloth to the stanchions or lifelines. We're going
to use the Sailrite Edge Hotknife to do this.
Weather cloths should be easy to install, but just in case of a serious storm they should
also be something that can break away with a boarding sea, especially at the bottom.
Attaching the cover securely while still providing for break away, is a delicate and tricky task.
Here at this stanchion we have fed the leechline rope thru the grommets and will use a YKK
barrel lock to secure the line. This does little more than just allow us to snap the
panel over the lifelines or rail. Right now we do not have snaps installed so were just
using it to position the panel. Once the panel is positioned in the correct location we can
mark for any obstacles that may need passage thru the panel. It's also not a bad idea to
use pony clamps to help hold the flap over the lifeline for better positioning.
Now simply use the soapstone pencil to mark for obstacles that need cut outs. Also mark
where stanchion poles fall and where you may want to install grommets or snaps at the top
or bottom of each stanchion pole. You may want to use Velcro at the bottom so it can
break away quickly in the case of a boarding sea. That's your choice or grommets with line.
Our toe rail does not have pre-manufactured holes in it, as many do today. If it did we
could use Velcro or line to tie the bottom of our weather cloth there. We have some SS
hooks at our toe rail so we can install grommets here and tie to them.
Angela is making her own 1" binding from the scrap fabric that is left over. If you choice
to make your own binding start by marking the fabric to a 2" wide strip and then cut
it with scissors to that size. Then will fold the two edges in towards the center. This
can be done using seamstick for canvas or by just pre-folding it and then taking the
Sunbrella to an iron set on very low heat and creasing the sides. This will create a
1" wide binding. Or if you like you can purchase pre-fabricated binding from Sailrite.
We need the binding to cover the edges of any cut outs. Here is an opening for lines
to come thru the cover. We want to protect the edges and give a finished look so we will
sew on some binding here.
Angela is positioning the binding on the edge by hand as she sews it on with the Sailrite
Ultrafeed LS-1 Sewing Machine. Your task is to sew only about 3 inches, stop bury the
needle so you do not lose your position, then fold the binding over the edge and repeat
the steps until it is sewn on securely.
Here you can see the weather cloth installed and we did allow the top of our stanchion
pole to exit the cover. This is done just as it is for any cut outs just cut around
the obstacle and then finish off the edge with binding. Here's a look at it installed.
At the bottom of each stanchion base where the cover will fall we're are going to use
a set of #1 spur grommets that will fall on each side of the pole. We can then use line
or even webbing with Velcro sewn onto the webbing that will run thru the grommets. The
grommet will allow us to use any combination of fastening methods and if the Velcro wears
out in the sun, as it typically does, we can replace it because it is just feed thru grommets.
Good idea, right!
Now along the top edge and where the webbing was sewn to the cover Angela is marking where
a snap should be installed. She is using a snap at about every 11 to 12 inches. Then
she is using a square just to make sure they are straight across from each other.
Sailrite has many tool that may be used to fasten snaps to canvas, but here for this
project we are going to use the famous Pres-n-Snap tool.
For this project we are installing the snaps with the Pres-n-snap tool. Pres-N-Snap Installation
Tool is a great tool for quick and easy snap fastener installation. A one or two-handed
squeeze of the tool automatically punches a hole in the fabric application and sets
the snap at the same time. The Pres-N-Snap is a very durable, professional-grade fastener
installation tool that could save you hours of tedious work on your next project. The
Pres n snap is sold at Sailrite.com. Once we have the button and sockets installed
along the top edge we now need to install the stud to the webbing reinforced area below.
However, instead of using the standard snap eyelet were going to use a button and a stud
which will give a more pleasing look to our snaps on both the outside and inside of our
cover. So we left the button die in the pres-n-snap tool and we will change out the socket die
for the stud die. Then we will set the studs and buttons in the webbing where indicated
by our marks.
As mentioned earlier it is up to you to fasten the weather cloth around your stanchions and
at the toe rails. At the bottom here we are simply using the YKK barrel locks which will
not hold very well in any type of high winds. So you may opt to use any combination of fasteners,
small leechline, which may break away if needed or webbing with Velcro sewn to it that is
run thru the grommets. Also adding clear vinyl plastic like Plastipane 30 gauge from Sailrite
is a great addition so you can have visibility and yet be protected from wind and spray.
Next up is the materials and tools list that was used to make these weather cloths. You
will find all the supplies needed to make you own at Sailrite.com
For more free videos like this be sure to check out the Sailrite website or subscribe
to the Sailrite YouTube channel today. It's your loyal patronage to Sailrite that makes
these fee videos available, thanks for your loyal support.