See full version: Factory Replacement Cockpit Cover
A cockpit cover is a very simple cover, made of up just canvas and snaps. The fabrics and colors available for Great Lakes Boat Top factory replacement cockpit covers vary by boat make and model. The marine fabrics used for cockpit covers are originally selected by the boat manufacturer from Sunbrella®, Stamoid™ and SeaMark™.
Using snaps, attached to the fiberglass around the perimeter of the boat's cockpit area and along the base or to the top of the front of the windshield (depending on OEM specifications for that model), the cockpit cover simply fastens into place for a tight drum-like fit to keep rain, leaves and other debris out of the cockpit of your boat. The sleek look of a cockpit cover protects your interior, doesn't take as long to take on and off as a full mooring cover , and gives your boat a classy factory look, especially when coupled with a tonneau cover of matching color and canvas (as shown above). Use it when you need light protection, but it is not recommended as your only cover for off-season storage when your boat is outside under the elements.
You won't find a cockpit cover at your local marine retail store or even at a boat dealer. Because the cockpit dimensions will vary with every boat model and year, a cockpit cover needs to be a custom fit. Great Lakes Boat Top has patterns for various boat covers, tops and enclosures for thousands of boat models. Request a quote for a cockpit cover for your boat . here
The area behind a boat's windshield is the cockpit of your boat where you sit and stand to drive and where many, if not all, of your passengers sit. Like other areas of the boat, the cockpit needs a cover for protection.
A boat manufacturer will often offer a cockpit cover as part of an original equipment or factory canvas program for its boat models. Great Lakes Boat Top has partnered with almost 30 boat manufacturers over their 50 year history (and still today) to make cockpit covers and dozens of other boat covers, tops and enclosures. Because we design them through a partnership with the boat manufacturer, every curve is counted and every option included. If we made a cockpit cover for your boat at the request of the manufacturer, we have the pattern to make that exact same, exact matching, exact fitting cockpitcover for you. Guaranteed .
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I purchased everything else from Sailrite. I actually ordered too much of some things and was able to sell the surplus to other cruisers, but my best guess for the cost of what I did use was about $200. This included: more
Remember to roll the plastic sheeting down and let it relax every couple of weeks or it will crease and crack. [links]
Always let the plastic dry before rolling it. here
Clean and protect the clear plastic with a product such as Imar Strataglass cleaner (Amazon). In a pinch, you can use Pledge as a protectant but clean the plastic first so that you don’t scratch it with any dirt that is on it. here
Now it's time to get started. The steps to get your cover are fairly simple and just requires a little forethought and some organization skills.
First off, making your own cover will be a nice winter project while you have the boat in storage. You will need a few things to get you up and running, and almost all of it you will be able to find at your local marine supply shop or hardware store. Otherwise a quick search online will get you all you need. more
Steps to Complete [links]
Wrapping Up
You will need butcher paper to use as a template for your cover, get a good supply of this, especially if this is your first stab at making your own cover. You need a heavy fabric marker as well as erasable charcoal crayons. The fabric marker will delineate it onto the canvas, while the crayon will be used on the butcher paper when making the template. You will also need a pair of chalkboard compass and off course the marine canvas. Some masking tape, heavy duty scissors and sewing machine will also be required.
Things you will need
Then use patterning paper running from the track to the rear rub rail to measure key points for the cover production. Since patterning paper is typically only 72 inches wide, we use three panels of paper to get all the measurements. To align these panels, we use the dot-to-dot measurement system, which is derived from the Marine Canvas Training Institute under Don Wedge. Using this method, we include other notable patterning marks such as the track opening and the pin placement on the rub rail. Once these measurements are complete, head back to the shop to start on the cover production. [links]
Photos 3 and 4: An 8-inch facing at the bottom of the cover provides reinforcement for grommets that secure stainless steel pins, which are incorporated into the cover and attached through a bungee cord system. [links]
As cockpit covers become more common, customers want to get the most out of their investment. One of the biggest negatives of these covers is the lack of headroom when in use. One solution is to incorporate support poles in rod holders and zippers in the cover (Photo 2 page 31). Incorporating a zipper near the rear of the cover allows the user to unzip the excess material needed to secure the cover to the rub rail, and to instead secure the cover to poles inserted into rod holders. These poles are made from carbon fiber or stainless steel and provide all the support of a traditional cockpit cover with additional headspace. This design has become more and more popular, and the new multiuse function is an added selling point for customers.
By utilizing cockpit covers on these boats, owners are adding life to the teak flooring and fighting chair—keeping the boat looking good and saving themselves money at the same time. In addition to protecting the aft of the boat from the elements, this cover offers a large amount of shade—something appreciated by crew members seeking relief from the hot sun, whether they’re deckhands preparing the boat for a fishing tournament or a family enjoying a day on the water. Designed to be taken on and off quickly and efficiently, cockpit covers are also very user friendly and cater to even the most casual of boat users.
To begin the production process, lay out the three separate pattern panels and tape them together, matching the dots. This will help you understand the amount of material needed. We use Stamoid Light from Serge Ferrari, which comes in a variety of widths including 59, 80 and 102 inches. The variety of widths is an important aspect of this material because the fewer panels that are needed to be sewn together, the stronger the finished product will be. [links]