The sail cover on our 26C has a zipper at the top. It leaked a little water so we had a flap attached with Velcro on one side it covers the zipper and no more water. The bottom is about 6 inches of mesh and provides lots of ventilation. The front does not detach. There is a large zipper at the front of the mast and straps with twist buttons on top and bottom. There are thin straps on each side that the cradle lines pass through. I think the webbing and d hooks is a more elegant solution. It also keeps the cover from sinking down all the way to the bottem of the cradle lines. This makes it slightly easier to recover the sail. However on our system the cover drops down completely from the sail leaving the foot clear. The clew end of the cover is lashed to the end of the wishbone.
My brother Mark ( LaReina 26C ) would not have a top zip sail cover because it may compromise performance. I don't think it is significant but I still can't keep up with him.
I would recommend a top zip cover to anyone including Mark.
Aline Bennett of Peninsula Boat Tops in Sidney BC did a very nice job on Eclipse a 30C out here.
Thanks for the detailed description. Lots of great ideas there that I need to ponder. I think I understand it all, but a photo or two would be helpful.
I have been pondering the construction of a “bucket” cover for some time. I made our current traditional cover a few years back and expect to get a few more years out of it. Engineering wise, I have a clear picture in my mind how everything except the front of the cover would work - if you do a cover which stays wrapped around the mast all season, what keeps it from getting jammed into the turning block for the main halyard or the blocks for the choker? And, how does one around the mast handle the boom moving fore and aft when you haul on the choker?
lloyd herman
Rendezvous, 1987 30U
Port Washington, NY
On Persistence, we have glued a Velcro (hook and loop) strip to the mast at the required height to keep the front of the sail cover in place when under sail. The cover carries the mating surface of Velcro.
On Puffin I decided to have the Doyle sail cover cut into 3 sections with zippers at each section. I didn’t care for the heavy and large cover being hauled on and off from the deck to the cabin and back each time i sailed. It helps. If my boat doesn’t sell I may get a Stack Pac next season.
John Ferrero
Puffin 30 U #297
Northport NY
Since there has been discussion lately about sail covers I thought it might be helpful to let you know what our Solomons, MD group did. Four of us wanted new sail covers with the zipper top. We researched the subject by looking at tons of Nonsuch pictures including those from the Toronto rendezvous. Most of those pics were of Nonsuch 30s and larger. We needed covers for three Nonsuch 22s and one Nonsuch 26. Richard Darrow (NS 30, Cativa, #496) provided me with a lot of pictures of his cover as did Jim Cosgrove (NS 30, Fate, # 343). Their input was quite helpful and part of our design. Thanks guys! Some of us meet on a regular basis and discuss these things while imbibing and eating ribs. We created a design and hired a local canvas guy to make our covers after we agreed on a price. Because he was not proceeding very well with this project, he was dismissed. All four of us have a friend in the Chesapeake Catboat Association who is a canvas maker that does excellent work but lives about an hour and a half away. After discussing the project he agreed to come visit and review some things. He also had some great ideas and we modified our design accordingly. The price was right and he was given the job. The last one was completed this past week. Mine has been completed for about six weeks. We are all extremely happy with the sail covers. If anyone wants to contact our guy, I’ll be glad to pass on the information.
Picture 2704 Tom & Susan Jones Nonsuch 22 KitKat #23 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet
Picture 2711 Al & Nan Suydam Nonsuch 22 Rejoice #43 Solomons, MD
Picture 2713 Ed & Mary Bahniuk Nonsuch 26 Cat-tastic #92 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet. Installation not quite complete
Although our final design requires a little pushing and sail into the cover, it zips up beautifully and quickly. We use pull lines with monkey fists or equivalent to complete the zipping over the bimini. It works great. Three of us decided to use carabineers to connect the Lazy jacks to the “D” rings. It allows for instant removal of the cover without changing the setting of the lazy jack slip knots.
All your covers look great and I’ll bet your sailing seasons will be much more enjoyable too not having to struggle putting the sail cover on. Glad everything worked out well for all of you.
Since there has been discussion lately about sail covers I thought it might be helpful to let you know what our Solomons, MD group did. Four of us wanted new sail covers with the zipper top. We researched the subject by looking at tons of Nonsuch pictures including those from the Toronto rendezvous. Most of those pics were of Nonsuch 30s and larger. We needed covers for three Nonsuch 22s and one Nonsuch 26. Richard Darrow (NS 30, Cativa, #496) provided me with a lot of pictures of his cover as did Jim Cosgrove (NS 30, Fate, # 343). Their input was quite helpful and part of our design. Thanks guys! Some of us meet on a regular basis and discuss these things while imbibing and eating ribs. We created a design and hired a local canvas guy to make our covers after we agreed on a price. Because he was not proceeding very well with this project, he was dismissed. All four of us have a friend in the Chesapeake Catboat Association who is a canvas maker that does excellent work but lives about an hour and a half away. After discussing the project he agreed to come visit and review some things. He also had some great ideas and we modified our design accordingly. The price was right and he was given the job. The last one was completed this past week. Mine has been completed for about six weeks. We are all extremely happy with the sail covers. If anyone wants to contact our guy, I’ll be glad to pass on the information.
Picture 2704 Tom & Susan Jones Nonsuch 22 KitKat #23 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet
Picture 2711 Al & Nan Suydam Nonsuch 22 Rejoice #43 Solomons, MD
Picture 2713 Ed & Mary Bahniuk Nonsuch 26 Cat-tastic #92 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet. Installation not quite complete
Although our final design requires a little pushing and sail into the cover, it zips up beautifully and quickly. We use pull lines with monkey fists or equivalent to complete the zipping over the bimini. It works great. Three of us decided to use carabineers to connect the Lazy jacks to the “D” rings. It allows for instant removal of the cover without changing the setting of the lazy jack slip knots.
I’m far from experienced, having just started sailing our NS36 a few weeks ago and having no prior big boat, but I started this thread and got lots of good responses. I took into account the various opinions and options, then decided that what we had was pretty good already, but with the modification of some mesh along the bottom for drainage and ventilation.
My wife took the old cover to Barbara Whiting at Custom Covers in Clinton, CT, and discussed fabrics, zippers, mesh, etc. We agreed to have a new cover made for $1600. There are probably less expensive alternatives, but we can vouch for the work done by Barbara’s crew. We had them make all the new covers for our mattresses and cushions, and they turned out great.
Good luck with the project. Let us know what you end up getting.
I recently had a top Zip sail cover made for Zephyr my 1981, N30. It cost $1,000. Was made by the local sailmaker/canvas shop here in Duluth, MN. Ship Shape Products Inc. Same person that made my winter cover. Both work well. It stays on the hanger lines zips and straps around the mast. The choker works well. Hoisting involves in zipping the cover from the mast wth an occasional tug ar the aft end of the cover.
Dropping the sail is as simple as heading into the wind. Free dropping the sail. A poke here and there and close the sail cover with an occasional tug at the cover to straighten the zipper. The bulk of the closing takes place at the mast.
I don't walk well, my balance is poor and this change is a big help. Not sure what it would cost to have one made and shipped some where. But I found the cost reasonable, quality good, service good.
I have tried to put pictures. On this site to no avail. It looks like a sail cover, works like a stack pack and I would sooner spend time on the boat during our short summer than fuss any more with trying to post pictures from an iPad.
George Brandt
Nonsuch 30 hull # 118 Zephyr
Duluth, MN (western Lake Superior)
You can communicate with the fellow that did the four Solomons zipper top covers. His name is Butch Miller and can be reached at 410 271-2540. I am sure a willing NS 30 owner in the Annapolis or nearby area would allow him aboard to take measurements.
I just used mine today and it’s a whole new world out there now.
Since there has been discussion lately about sail covers I thought it might be helpful to let you know what our Solomons, MD group did. Four of us wanted new sail covers with the zipper top. We researched the subject by looking at tons of Nonsuch pictures including those from the Toronto rendezvous. Most of those pics were of Nonsuch 30s and larger. We needed covers for three Nonsuch 22s and one Nonsuch 26. Richard Darrow (NS 30, Cativa, #496) provided me with a lot of pictures of his cover as did Jim Cosgrove (NS 30, Fate, # 343). Their input was quite helpful and part of our design. Thanks guys! Some of us meet on a regular basis and discuss these things while imbibing and eating ribs. We created a design and hired a local canvas guy to make our covers after we agreed on a price. Because he was not proceeding very well with this project, he was dismissed. All four of us have a friend in the Chesapeake Catboat Association who is a canvas maker that does excellent work but lives about an hour and a half away. After discussing the project he agreed to come visit and review some things. He also had some great ideas and we modified our design accordingly. The price was right and he was given the job. The last one was completed this past week. Mine has been completed for about six weeks. We are all extremely happy with the sail covers. If anyone wants to contact our guy, I’ll be glad to pass on the information.
Picture 2704 Tom & Susan Jones Nonsuch 22 KitKat #23 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet
Picture 2711 Al & Nan Suydam Nonsuch 22 Rejoice #43 Solomons, MD
Picture 2713 Ed & Mary Bahniuk Nonsuch 26 Cat-tastic #92 Solomons, MD “D” rings not installed yet. Installation not quite complete
Although our final design requires a little pushing and sail into the cover, it zips up beautifully and quickly. We use pull lines with monkey fists or equivalent to complete the zipping over the bimini. It works great. Three of us decided to use carabineers to connect the Lazy jacks to the “D” rings. It allows for instant removal of the cover without changing the setting of the lazy jack slip knots.
I second Mark. Paul Beaudin at Doyle City Island has made a StackPack adaptation for Nonsuches and has perhaps fabricated more of them than anyone else. He’s also not far from you, Chris, as well.
