/*
*/
DIY Project

DIY Winter Sailboat Cover

Article Courtesy of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine...

Winter boat cover that will protect your boat for years to come.

Winter boat cover that will protect your boat for years to come.

Why DIY? Making a Winter Sailboat Cover

A big question on every boater's mind at the end of sailing season is: Should I shrink wrap my boat or invest in a permanent boat cover? If you sew, why waste money every year on a temporary fix when you could sew your own long-lasting and durable canvas cover? Even if you've never sewn before, it's a solution still worth considering. DIY saves money and gives you self-sufficient skills you'll be able to use again and again both on the water and off.

Sailrite provides all of the materials and instructions you need to make a winter boat cover that will protect your boat for years to come. Need convincing? Just check out this list of reasons why shrink wrap is not the ideal solution for protecting your boat on the hard.

Reasons Not to Shrink Wrap Your Boat:

  • A yearly expense.  Shrink wrap will cost you money every year versus the initial cost to make a cover that will last for years, saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
  • Moisture buildup and ventilation issues. Shrink wrap traps moisture under the plastic and could cause mold and mildew damage.
  • Environmental impact. Shrink wrap generates piles and piles of plastic waste and can be difficult to recycle or dispose of properly.
  • Access is difficult. If you have projects planned for the winter, getting inside your shrink-wrapped boat is difficult and costs extra. But it's easy to take a cover off!
  • Potential hull damage. Shrink wrap can chafe and damage coatings such as Awlgrip and other painted finishes. There's nothing worse than unwrapping your boat and finding hundreds of dollars worth of unexpected damage.

This DIY boat cover is well worth the time and effort.

This DIY boat cover is well worth the time and effort.

Sailrite makes it easy to DIY a winter boat cover. Our free how-to video features thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to measure, pattern, cut and sew your cover. A complete materials and tools list makes it easy to order exactly what you need to get the job done. With Sailrite as your project partner, there's nothing you can't do. 

Click here to watch Sailrite's full video tutorial...