sailboat cockpit tent

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Cockpit Enclosures - Sailing Yacht

Exceptional design and build quality, designed to perform, protect and last.

Arcona 430 Sprayhood and Cockpit Enclosure

Cockpit Enclosures in an exceptional range of colourfast colours from the Sunbrella Plus range

Bavaria Cruiser 34 Sprayhood and Cockpit Enclosure

Renolit Prime Crystal Clear windows, Marine grade No 10 coil zips, 138 heavy duty anti-wick U.V stabilised thread

Beneteau Oceanis 40 Sprayhood and Cockpit Enclsoure

316 Super mirror polished marine grade Stainless Steel frames with heavy duty adjustable frame fittings

Dufour 382 Sprayhood and Cockpit Enclosure

Tecsew  manufactures a range of high-quality Cockpit Enclosures for different types of Sailing Yacht.

Known as Cockpit Enclosures, Cockpit Tents or Cockpit Canopies they are both well designed, stylish and most importantly, they work.

Many designs have been developed with and supplied to Major UK importers, of brands such as Bavaria, Beneteau, Dufour, Dehler, Elan, Jeanneau and UK builders such as Southerly yachts.

Good design is everything when it comes to designing a product that is both functional and fulfils your requirements. Our  3D CAD design  process and insistence on specifying leading brands such as  Sunbrella Plus canvas and YKK zips enable us to produce a superior Cockpit Enclosure that can withstand the harsh elements in the toughest marine environments.

Our Cockpit Enclosures are fully functional together with a high-quality specification that you will find hard to better. They are effective in offering protection to both the Cockpit and your crew and vastly increase your liveaboard space.

All our Cockpit Enclosures are designed as premium products with features such as zipped pockets and a stowage valise. Our frames are heavy-duty 316 Stainless Steel and feature our quick-release stainless frame fittings as standard, not as optional extras, delivering a hard to beat specification and quality.

Our Cockpit Enclosures can be further enhanced with the addition of optional extra windows. They can also be constructed with zip removable sides and rear panel. These enhancements do come at extra cost but can personalise your Enclosure to your requirements.

How to fold a typical Cockpit Enclosure

We use our unique 3D CAD design process (developed in-house) to achieve the best possible design and have many standard CAD patterns shown in our website gallery.

Tecsew Cockpit Enclosures come in a wide variety of colours and specifications to suit both your personal preference and boat features. We take pride in ensuring accurate production to come up with reliable and functional boat canvas and accessories. Nearly all standard designs are available for self-fitting and we export to most of Europe.

Why not check out our range of Cockpit Enclosures in the gallery below or use the search function, and  contact us  to enquire about specific requirements.

Call us for enquiries on 02392 556548, visit our contact page,  or use the enquiry form at the bottom of the page. Our friendly staff will gladly assist you.

Cockpit Enclosures - Sailing Yacht Gallery

Aphrodite 33 Cockpit Enclosure

Arcona 430 Cockpit Enclosure to fit Tecsew Sprayhood recover for factory fit original, CIDER WITH ROSIE, ref 8794

Astus 22.5 Cockpit Enclosure with no windows, ref 1244

Bavaria 30 Cruiser Cockpit Enclosure fitted to CJ Sprayhood, ref 5245

Bavaria 32 Cockpit Enclosure fitted to CJ Sprayhood

Bavaria 34 (2000 model) Cockpit enclosure fitted to Tecsew Sprayhood, ref 6327

Bavaria 34 Cockpit Enclosure off CJ sprayhood, Skippers Fantasy

Bavaria 36 Cockpit Enclosure fitted to CJ Sprayhood

Bavaria 36 Cockpit Enclosure fitted to one-off Sprayhood, “VIS”, ref 5763

Bavaria 37 Cruiser Cockpit Enclosure, 2006 model ref 0022

Bavaria 37 Holiday Cockpit Enclosure

Bavaria 39 Cruiser Cockpit Enclosure, TESSA JANE, ref 8279

Bavaria 40 Vision Cockpit Enclosure and Sprayhood recover, ref 4945

Bavaria 42 Cruiser Cockpit Enclosure

Bavaria C38 Cockpit Enclosure to fit Factory Fitted Sprayhood, ref 1613

Bavaria Cruiser 32, 2013 Cockpit Enclosure

Bavaria Cruiser 33, 2013 Cockpit Enclosure

Bavaria Cruiser 34 Cockpit Enclosure to fit FACTORY supplied Sprayhood, ref 8550

Bavaria Cruiser 34, 2016 Cockpit Enclosure, ref 7547

Bavaria Cruiser 37 Cockpit Enclosure, ref 5340

Bavaria Cruiser 41 Cockpit Enclosure fitted to Tecsew standard Sprayhood, ref 6322

Bavaria Cruiser 46, 2014 model, Cockpit enclosure off Tecsew Sprayhood, ref 5946

Bavaria Cruiser 51 Cockpit Enclosure to fit our Custom Design Sprayhood, ref 1310

Bavaria Vision 42 Cockpit Enclosure, NON Standard design

Bavaria Vision 42 HIGHER DESIGN Cockpit enclosure, 2050mm, NOW STANDARD DESIGN fitted to Tecsew standard Sprayhood, ref 6718

Bavaria Vision 42, HIGHER model Cockpit enclosure fitted to FACTORY FIT Sprayhood, ref 7929

Beneteau First 21.7 Cockpit Enclosure

Beneteau First 25.7 Cockpit Enclosure

Beneteau First 31.7 Cockpit Enclosure

Beneteau First 40.7 Cockpit Enclosure to fit Tecsew standard Sprayhood, PROFILE, ref 7792

Have a question we are happy to help.

02392 556 548

[email protected]

Tecsew Ltd, Unit E3 Eagle Building Daedalus Park, Daedalus Drive Lee-on-the-Solent, Hants, PO13 9FX

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Cruising, cooking & sustainability

Designing the ultimate High Latitude cockpit enclosure

Designing a cockpit enclosure that protects you from the scorching tropical sun AND the bone chilling winds of the North Sea, but ALSO lets you trim your sails with ease is no small feat. Here’s how we designed ours.

A large part of sailing is connecting with the elements. But you need to protect yourself from them too. Either from the scorching sun in the tropics, or with the wind chill slowly gnawing away on your stamina, a well designed cockpit enclosure can make all the difference.

I have seen too many comments in sailing groups “just put on a jacket”. Or “just stay at home in front of your fireplace”. Or “just go camping instead if you want a tent”. This attitude is dangerously ignorant at best .

Not to be indelicate, but when I was in Brigade North in the Norwegian Army, I once had to take an open air shit in -37 Celsius (-35F). That’s when it’s so brutally cold your snot has long since frozen, you have to be careful not to inhale too deeply lest your lungs will freeze , and touching metal with your bare hands will rip the skin off your fingers . I know cold.

When you do high latitude sailing, especially when the weather is heavy, hypothermia is a very real scenario ; the chill will creep in on you, slowly, relentlessly. Especially during night watch.

Putting on a jacket will not prevent this; putting on a jacket over the thickest fleece you have will. not. prevent. this .

The only thing that’ll save your freezing ass and dulled mind from endangering yourself and your crew is a really good enclosure, a enclosed hardtop, or ideally a pilot house. There is nothing macho or Viking about freezing your nuts off when it can easily be prevented.

As a result, most cruising sailboats in Norway have some sort of full cockpit enclosure; it’s the only thing that makes sense up here, and aside from insulating your boat it will be one of the best upgrades to your yacht you’ll ever make.

Not only will it keep you protected from the elements when out sailing, but in the winter it’ll act as a buffer zone making your entire aft section much , much warmer – and when the sun peaks out, it’ll act as a greenhouse, creating a really nice, warm place to sit and enjoy the scenery, even if it’s literally freezing outside.

And no, the windage is nothing to worry about. Four years and countless Norwegian winter storms later, it’s still standing as if new.

The design features of our old enclosure included a sprayhood on the verge of collapse; a bimini with too flat roof that collected small ponds of water even at the lightest drizzle of rain; poorly retrofitted sides that didn’t properly connect the sprayhood and bimini; a supporting structure in just exactly the wrong place, so that you slammed your hand into it and got raw knuckles every time you used the winch to trim the genoa, and to top it off; the aesthetics of a worn down camper van tent.

In short – it looked like shit, and had a user friendliness on par with a tax return form:

We started the process with making a few sketches and writing down a few bullet points on what was our goal with the enclosure:

• A sturdy, user friendly, flexible solution.
• Easy to enter from the sides with big luggage, groceries etc
• Max shade and max air with a bimini for the tropics..
• Full enclosure for really nasty days, and to use as a “winter room” when living aboard.
• Not very dark colour. It’ll reflect more sunlight making it cooler when it’s sunny, and also make it brighter inside when using full enclosure.
• Possible to sail with just sprayhood, and the rest easily packed away for those mild high latitude summers.
• Some sort of extended sprayhood, for cold, but nice days.
• Possible to winch and trim sails easily, even with full enclosure up.

We quickly found three local companies that looked like they could do the job. One was totally overbooked until after the summer vacation, the second had exorbitant rates, so we settled for the third option. Fair enough price, albeit 10,000NOK over what I had put in our refit budget.

Total cost for both the enclosure and matching lazy jack bag was 65,000NOK – roughly 6500USD/6000EUR based on the currency rates in summer 2020.

A crisp, cold and beautiful day in early March 2020, a nice Russian guy called Aleksandr came to take measures to build the sprayhood. Took about an hour, he left, and we never saw him again until months after. Thanks to Covid for that.

On July 22nd 2020 we sailed to Vestre Åmøy outside Stavanger where W-Yachts is located. This time for fitting the cockpit enclosure and building a template for it. We had already made some sketches and had more than a few ideas of what we had in mind, and combined with Aleksandr’s expert advice, we set to work.

Though his project manager was a disaster and a huge frustration to work with, Aleksandr was efficient, accurate, professional, and he had a great way of pitching ideas early, let that simmer a bit, and then come back for a conclusion, so there was never any pressure. The entire process took nearly a full day, including making all new stainless structure and making the custom template.

And instead of a lengthy written description of the details, here are a a load of pictures with captions instead:

So after having sailed with it the past 2 months, how has it been? Absolutely fucking marvelous!

We clearly haven’t tried the tropical configuration in tropical climate thanks to Covid, but everything else works brilliantly, both underway or at anchor or moored. So far there are actually only two things we’d change:

• A few loops on the inside to hang up clothes to dry
• Grey instead of white zippers and other details, as it won’t look as dirty over time.

We find ourselves sitting up in the cockpit all the time , even if it’s really shitty out there, even if it’s mid winter and freezing, or late in the evening when the night chill creeps in. We just tuck ourselves with luxuriously thick woolen Røros blankets, and something strong or hot (or both!) in our cups, and we couldn’t be happier 🙂

Also make sure to follow us on https://www.facebook.com/syselkie for the next post in our refit series!

20 Comments

Very interesting and well written. Thanks

Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙂

Superfint og bra beskrevet!

Mange takk Tonje! Kanskje det blir ny kalesje på deg og? 🙂

Nice design. Good to see aesthics were also a big consideration. One of the best I have seen. Tried to save some of your photos for future reference, but no go. Would you mind e-mailing, or sending a link please? We are in the process of designing a full enclosure for our Oceanis Thanks, David

Hi David! Glad you liked it 🙂 It is really weird that you were unable to save pics – did you get an error message or something? I tried successfully on both my computer and cell 😮

You could always email yourself the link to this post, then you have all the info you need, cause we’re not gonna take this post down any time soon 😉

Hello Sverre,

Thank you for taking the time to post your experience. The canvas looks great. A couple of questions if you don’t mind, as we are planning new canvas for our Ovni.

-What diameter tubing did you choose? Adequate? -I noticed your dodger window rolls downward. Any particular reason for that choice, as I have only seen roll-ups before?

Cheers Mike h

Hi Mike! I actually don’t remember dimension. I’ll check on Wednesday for ya 🙂

Roll downwards gives you an overlaying flap at the top, preventing water leakage 👍

Looks great. Our challenge on our Westerly Longbow 31 sloop is that the mainsheet tracker is aft of the tiller. Any thoughts on achieving what you’ve managed?

Hi Charles! I had to google the boat, and I assume it looks something like this pic here http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/archives/westerly-longbow/b48108-cockpit-wa.jpg

Two ideas: 1) End the cockpit tent right in between the tiller and mainsheet traveler. It would give you great coverage underway, and a nice and cosy, albeit shortened, cockpit when moored or at anchor.

2) Build a hard dodger sturdy enough to put the mainsheet traveler on top of the roof. This means you will have to move the boom fastening further down the boom, which is not ideal when it comes to the leverage…but perhaps a workable compromise none the less

What do you think?

Hello, can you give me the measure from the tube diameter? Thx

Hi Roman! Diameter is 25mm, thickness 1.5mm

Hi Sverre, Really nice enclosure. I’m in Alaska and I’m doing my best to replicate your design. I am stumbling over the attachment of the enclosure to the dodger. I can’t quite get a clear enough image to determine what the white strip is that the enclosure seems to cover on the dodger. Is it a leather protector with a zipper for attachment? Thanks for any information. Nice job on the photos!

Hey, thanks! The white strip is a thin leather chafe guard 🙂 Go for grey instead so the dirt doesn’t show as quickly 😉

PS: you can right click on the images and “open image in new tab” (or something like that). It’ll give you a MUCH bigger pic to look at 🙂 https://sailingselkie.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/24A323FB-5313-4771-9A59-EBF02D0A6FE0-1536×1027.jpeg

Thank You Sverre, that really helps. Was the 2 Bow Bimini frame custom made?

Both the frame for the sprayhood and bimini is custom made in stainless steel by the same guy that made the rest 🙂

How do you use the winches when the entire enclosure is up? I see what is probably a jib sheet going through a grommet in a piece that sticks out from the side. There is probably a name for that, and I wish I knew it. There can’t be enough room for a winch handle to rotate. Do you just go back and forth and hope you do not need the lower gear?

You never sail with absolutely everything up. You open at least the panel over the winch you wanna use so it’s clear 🙂 Have a look at pic 4 and 5 from the bottom to see typical sailing config 🙂

Thank you for a very entertaining and very informative blog. Do you totally remove and store panels below or just roll them up? Any further amendments you have or would like to have? How about the lighting? Would you recommend an even lighter colour? Happy sailing!

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The Down-and-Dirty, Do-It-Yourself Cockpit Awning

• By Roger Hughes
• December 8, 2023

If a sailboat lies unattended even for a short time, its decks and canvas can quickly become grubby from bird droppings and windblown dust. I have counted 50 of the little darlings perched along the triatic stay on my schooner Britannia, all having a merry chirp while doing other things. 

I spent a lot of time looking at intricate, expensive devices that are supposed to frighten birds off my boat, but it’s practically impossible to keep them off every part of the deck and rigging, where they sometimes land on vertical wires. I finally concluded that the cheapest, most effective solution is a simple awning. 

There are multiple benefits to a good awning. I also wanted to protect the center-cockpit canvas Bimini top on Britannia , to shield it from the fierce Florida sun as much as from rain and bird droppings. And a good awning keeps the temperature down inside the boat—in Britannia ’s case, by some 10 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s 90 degrees outside. 

I shopped around all the local canvas-makers and sailmakers, and I received lots of advice about what material was best, along with a variety of cost estimates. These varied from “we’ll beat any price” to “get a second mortgage.” The average estimate was $1,480, which was well over my budget, so I considered making an awning myself.The simplest, cheapest way to make an awning is to buy a tarp, drape it over a boom, and then attach it to lifelines with bungee cords to form a simple tent. The main boom on Britannia passes directly over the cockpit, and most tarps have eyelets every 18 inches or so, which meant that threading bungee cord through them and then hooking the other end to the rails was simplicity itself.

However, after I installed my tent, I discovered that it had shortfalls. Tethering the tarp required quite a scramble to edge along the side decks and climb into the cockpit, especially with an armful of groceries. And the tarp rested on the boom and my Bimini top, causing chafe in strong winds. A third problem was that my tent looked, well, really cheap—mainly because it had cost me less than 50 bucks. 

Awnings can also be stretched between horizontal poles attached to masts or rigging, a solution that generally overcomes the access problem. But they flap about alarmingly in even a slight breeze, and rainwater collects in a flat awning to the point where they can capsize. They also fail to shield the early morning and evening sun very well.

With all of that in mind, I thought about the wagons in old Western movies, and I wondered how to make a curved cover. Such an arrangement might also hold the tarp clear of the boom and Bimini top, reducing chafe and allowing wind to pass between them. The height should also give me more headroom along the side decks. 

The supports on covered wagons were called bows, made of hickory wood. How could I make them and be able to stow them? I found the answer by looking at modern tents that use flexible aluminum rods to support a curved roof. 

These tents use demountable rods that slot into one another to form a strong yet flexible continuous rod, held together with a bungee cord through their whole length. When not in use, they fold into a bundle only 28 inches long for easy stowage.

Britannia ’s main boom is 15 feet long, so I guessed that I would need three bows to support the tarp over the boom, and another bow for an overhang forward of the mast. I measured the approximate lengths by curving a metal measuring tape from the toe rail to just above the boom, and then doubling the distance. I then ordered four rods from TentPole Technologies, which made all the lengths to my exact size. If a rod happens to be too long, it’s easy to remove one section and re-knot the bungee.

I anchored my bows to either side of the boat using ¾-inch plastic PVC tubing strapped to the stanchions with hose clamps. The bows dropped into the tubing and rested on the toe rail, forming four perfect arches.

Britannia ’s beam at the mast is 13 feet, tapering to 10 feet at the stern. A tarp would need to be much wider than this to curve over the bows, so I measured the length of the front and rear bows. I tried for a point offering maximum coverage against rain and bird droppings, yet with enough clearance to walk through. From these measurements, I drew a sketch of the shape.

The nearest-size tarp I could find was about 19-by-17 feet with a heavy-duty weight. I choose one that is silver on the outside, to give maximum heat reflection. I then made a mistake in buying the cheapest, lightest-weight version of the tarp at 5 mm; it was too flimsy for a boat awning, and it soon wore through at the chafe points. The 12 mm thickness is much better and has survived some strong winds, and the bows easily support the extra weight of the heavier tarp.

To cut the tarp to fit, I laid it out on my garage floor for tapering. Rather than just cutting it down the middle and gluing it, I overlapped the center folds and glued the overlap joints. This technique ensured that the joint remained waterproof, and strengthened the center section. The front needed only a little tapering, from 17 feet, 6 inches down to 16 feet, but the back was only 12 feet wide, which meant quite a large overlap joint.  

After that, the messy part started, because I used sticky contact glue and a 4-inch roller. Because the wind will pass straight over this joint, it needs to be as strong as possible. The best option was to use a double-gluing procedure.

I first unfolded about 6 inches where the top joint was to be, and rolled a liberal amount of glue out to both edges, all the way along the fold. I allowed this glue to set overnight, so it was finger-dry. I then applied a second coat of glue to each side of the joint, waited the normal drying time of about 15 minutes, and pressed the fold together from the center to the front and rear of the joint. Working from the center ensured that there were no creases in the fold. I then placed wood strips over the joint and pressed it firmly together by walking on it.

I left the joint overnight to set, then turned the tarp over and double-glued the other side of the fold the same way. The finished taper is a neat, strong, waterproof overlap joint down the center of the awning. Just for good measure, I ran a length of duct tape all the way along the joints.

Back at the boat, I installed the bows and draped the tarp over them, but because the awning extended forward of the mast by some 2 feet, I had to cut a hole to fit around the mast. This hole was later reinforced back in my garage, where I also installed a row of eyelets into the front joint and threaded them together with bungee cord. I wrapped a long bungee twice around the mast, making a secure joint. The awning also overhangs the aft hatch.

For hold-down tethers, I bought 5/16-inch bungee cord with pre-fitted hooks. It was easy to thread the cord through every second eyelet and secure it with a simple overhand knot. I did this along the length of the tarp on both sides. I then fastened the front and rear of the tarp to the bows with cable ties, through the eyelets and around the bows.

Positioning this large awning is quite easy for two people when there is no wind. We pulled it over the bows and then hooked the tethers to the lifelines on each side. I attached the front bow to the running backstays and the rear bow to the mainmast backstays. Even in a moderate wind, the awning hardly moves because the wind passes through and over the structure. 

I had my covered wagon, which protects Britannia ’s Bimini top from weather as effectively as any custom-made canvas cover. We can comfortably move along the side decks because of the increased height of the bows. Temperatures in the cockpit are significantly lower than without the awning, and rain just runs off, washing bird droppings with it.

Awnings on boats, even those made of expensive UV-resistant material, rarely last more than a few seasons. Replacing a tarp awning is a lot less expensive than ordering a custom canvas, and mine was ridiculously cheaper: $300, including the tarp, bows, tethers, rollers and glue.

I now think my effort qualifies as (almost) professional-looking, even if I do have to ignore the occasional snide remark about the Wild West. Envy is just another form of flattery.

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Cockpit Enclosure

Sailing yacht cockpit enclosure.

Without doubt, the cockpit is one of the most important and busiest areas on board any yacht. It is a space approximately one third of the length of your yacht that may have not been used to it’s full potential. Having identified this, we have developed a Cockpit Enclosure that will utilise this space more effectively.

Our Cockpit Enclosure will protect you, your crew and your cockpit. It will also extend the living and usable area on board whilst adding to the appearance of your yacht. Therefore, the extra space gained by adding the enclosure can now be utilised in other ways. For example – it will provide extra accommodation, space to hang your wet weather clothing or even a room in which to socialise with your family or friends. You could even say that the Cockpit Enclosure is the marine equivalent to adding a conservatory to your home!

CUSTOMISE YOUR COCKPIT ENCLOSURE

The C&J Marine Cockpit Enclosure has been developed over 30 years to be a versatile product, while maintaining the quality of the components throughout. Our customers can have a variety of different needs, ranging from lake and coastal, fair weather day trips, to round the world blue water adventures. Our products can be designed and customised from a range of optional extras to best suit your needs and plans with your vessel. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are always on hand to discuss what is available for your product, ensuring you are made aware of every possibility, therefore if you would like to hear more information on any of our customising options and how they could benefit you, please get in touch.

INTERIOR WINDOW BLINDS

The Cockpit Enclosure is a must for extending the living space on board. With most of our designs achieving standing head room, the cockpit welcomes itself to an additional berth, a place for the kids to camp out or somewhere to change when there is not enough space below. Our internal blinds are a must for privacy. Using a lightweight polyester fabric called Odyssey, we attach the blinds at the top, adding Velcro® tabs to the sides and bottom of the window frame to secure them. Simple tie up straps keep then tidy when not required.

EXTERNAL WINDOW COVERS

To enable protection of the Cockpit Enclosure windows as well as blocking out any unwanted light, C&J Marine window covers are the solution. Keeping the windows covered will prolong the life of the PVC material. When covering the windows of the Sprayhood and Cockpit Enclosure, privacy can also be achieved, ideal for those who live aboard or cruise extensively. These covers are also manufactured from acrylic canvas and will attach to the outside of the canopy using secure high quality snap fasteners.

ADDITIONAL WINDOWS

The classic C&J Cockpit Enclosure includes two side panel windows, and one aft panel window. While for many customers this is an ample window-to-canvas ratio, there are occasions when more windows are needed. For larger sailing yachts the top panel of the enclosure can be over a metre wide, with even larger quarter stern panels. If you are keen to maximise the light within the cockpit or would simply like to enjoy the views that your marina offers whatever the weather, additional windows can be added to achieve a panoramic, 360 degree view.

BREAKDOWN KIT

While a Cockpit Enclosure may seem just what you are looking for, the idea of storing it while sailing may concern you – but don’t let it! We have developed the C&J Breakdown Kit which more than 85% of customers opt to have. With a total of six splits across the two stainless steel bars, our cockpit enclosure frame breaks down to various manageable pieces. The kit comes with two grey storage bags; one for the canvas cover and the other for the frame to keep it all together. All the joins are colour-coded to ensure erecting it is as easy as dismantling it.

REMOVABLE PANELS

The UK has some of the most diverse weather conditions throughout our seasons, from glorious ly hot sunshine to heavy rain, storms, and snow. Now more than ever we are receiving enquiries about a diverse product which can be used for protection while sailing from the powerful UV rays, with the option of att achable enclosure panels . The C&J Bimini Enclosure is a very popular product, but it isn’t possible for everyone. Many traditionally designed sailing yachts are simply not designed to mount a Bimini to for reason s such as cockpit space, winch positions and boom heights to name a few. 

While a Cockpit Enclosure may feel like your only option, you may like to consider upgrading the design to incorporate fully removable panels as a step closer to that ‘Bimini’ style and feel. By increasing the size of the side panel and the addition of a continuous zip length, the panels can be completely removed leaving a smaller quarter stern panel in position ensuring the frame remains tensioned in position. Whilst not every customer will be able to sail with this set up, there are many benefits like that of a Bimini with this innovative and cost-effective design.   

FABRICS AND THREAD

Sauleda acrylic canvas, weathermax 80, take a look at some of our work....

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COCKPIT TENT / SUN AWNING

A Cockpit Tent can be used to keep off the rain but can also be used to protect you from the glaring sun. It can be designed to attach over the boom or under the boom, depending on how your boat is rigged. The advantage of a Cockpit Tent/Sun Awning, is that it only takes minutes to install and when not in use folds quite small therefore easy to stow away. It can be made from a selection of materials thus giving you the customer, the choice when it comes to your Cockpit Tent/Sun Awning

• Protects you and your crew from the sun and the rain
• Very quick to assemble
• Protects your boats fittings, varnish, teak and instruments
• Simple design
• Made from Ultra Violet Stable Acrylic canvas in a variety of colours
• Optional windows made from Super clear PVC material
• Attached by simple marine grade eyelets for ease of use in all weathers.

Call Sail and Cover on  01473 780075  to discuss your requirements

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Sprayhood and special solutions

We can ensure quality from bow to stern with a tailor-made solution. Get a sprayhood for your motorboat.

Get a non-binding offer here

COCKPIT ENCLOSURE FOR SAILBOATS

Does your sailboat need an upgrade in the form of a new cockpit enclosure? Then, we can help you with a very good solution.

We have great experience with cockpit enclosures for sailboats, and we can make the perfect cockpit enclosure for your needs. It just requires you to have a strong sprayhood that it can be connected to.

Enjoy your sailboat with a cockpit enclosure

Many sailboats do not have a cockpit enclosure, which is a shame, because it gives you a lot of extra enjoyment of the deck, where you can lie and sunbathe or shelter from the wind.

The cockpit enclosure will be connected to the sprayhood , and then goes back to the cockpit, giving it a perfect cover. 

We have extensive experience in the manufacture of cockpit enclosures, and we make sure that they are manufactured to the highest quality. We only use the best materials available on the market, so you get a strong and solid product that lasts for many years. We also make sure that you get a nice design that fits the rest of your sailboat, so there is harmony between your sprayhood and cockpit enclosure.

In addition to designing a cockpit enclosure, we can also help with the delivery of frames for your new cockpit enclosure. Here, you can choose between stainless steel or galvanized aluminium; we recommend the latter.

Aluminium tubes are significantly lighter than stainless steel. Stainless steel frames can also mirror the sun and make "brand marks" on the window.

Call us today

Would you like to have a new cockpit enclosure for your sailboat? Then send us an email through our offer form. You can find our offer form by clicking here , or call by phone (+45) 49 20 11 44 today.

Then, we can talk about your preferences and submit a non-binding offer on a cockpit enclosure for you. 

You can find some inspiration for your new cockpit enclosure by clicking her .

​Covers and canopies for boats

We offer canopies and other covers for all boats, with unique fit and elegant design. If you are missing a cover for your boat, we measure it up, so that the boat can be protected throughout the winter. We deliver quality work at competitive prices and always comply with agreed terms and delivery times.

Information for customers with trailer boats

We have a large hall in Elsinore where you can leave you trailer boat if you would like us to create a new canopy for your boat. That makes it easy to get a new cover, canopy, cushions and more, even in bad weather. If this might interest you, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone: (+45) 49 20 11 44 .

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We have a large hall in Elsinore where you can leave you trailer boat if you would like us to create a new canopy for your boat. That makes it easy to get a new cover, canopy, cushions and more, even in bad weather. If this might interest you, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone: (+45)4920 1144 .

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Sailboat Awning

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Boat Awnings

>  WeatherMAX® UV-resistant acrylic fabric > Waterproof and breathable - extra durability > Great range of colours > UV resistant thread and seams > Custom-made > Stainless steel grommets > Reinforced wear areas > Very practical and robust > Rear central cover opening option > Two year warranty

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Sailboat awnings - cockpit awnings - cockpit tent.

Custom boat cockpit tent. The standard color is light gray (other colors available as well). WeatherMAX® fabric.  Strong grommets, reinforced edge and at all main points. Very practical and robust. Long life resistance. Waterproof and UV resistant. Storage bag. In case the boom does not extend far enough back into your cockpit, we offer special awning design to extend further aft to the backstay. Simple design and quick to assemble. Made from UV Stable Acrylic in a variety of colours. Attached by simple marine grade eyelets.

Delivery:  The average lead time is two weeks.The shipping price in Europe is €29, -

Guarantees: We offer two year guarantee as standard for all our accessories against manufacture defects, fabric and thread.

How to Pick the Right Sailboat Cockpit Enclosure

A good sailboat cockpit enclosure does more than just keep you warm and dry. Read this blog post to learn how to pick the right sailboat cockpit enclosure.

A sailboat cockpit enclosure is a straightforward piece of hardware that prepares your  your watercraft for use. It’s a rigid frame covered with fabric and see-through enclosure windows/panels that protect you and your passengers from spray, wind, sunshine, and rain.

A good sailboat cockpit enclosure does more than just keep you warm and dry; it offers protection from UV rays, fabric strength and tear resistance, clarity in the windows, and so much more. In fact, there are so many features and options available today that when you’re considering a sailboat cockpit enclosure, you might want to consult a forum or you can check out other online resources to help you understand the landscape.

So what do we think makes a good sailboat cockpit enclosure? Here’s a quick list of things to to look for before you buy:

• UV Ray Resistance : Protecting you, your guests, and loved ones from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays is one of the most important reasons for having a sailboat cockpit enclosure.
• Clarity : The windows or panels of a cockpit enclosure should be clear and easy to see through, without any cloudiness, fisheye effects or swirl marks.
• Strength : The enclosures should have a sturdy frame and be made from a specialized marine fabric that is waterproof and mold/mildew resistant.
• Color : The marine fabric that makes up the rest of the enclosure - not the windows or panels - should be colorfast and able to withstand the rigors of the sea. Your supplier should also have a variety of colors available.
• Hardware : The hardware of your sailboat cockpit enclosure should be strong, made of materials that don’t rust easily, and that include the right zippers, poles, and sewing techniques. You’d be surprised - not all enclosures are made equally when it comes to quality.

Once you’ve decided you want a sailboat cockpit enclosure, you need to consider a few things that will impact your choice of product and style. Do you want a fully enclosed structure? Or do you want a partially enclosed one? For example, if you like to sail on calmer waters under clear skies, then a partial enclosure might be right for you. But, if you if you often find yourself in rough conditions, a full enclosure might be a better fit.

Some other things to consider include the types of fabric and enclosure panels you want to use when it comes to design. Your enclosure should fit the lines of your boat and use colors that match your watercraft, and the special features of your fabric (like UV resistance) should be designed for the environment you sail your boat in. Don’t just go with any marine fabric, they’re not all the same.

Finally, always do your research and due diligence when it comes to investing in your boat. Find out who supplies the best fabrics and enclosures and ask your manufacturer/installer about the different products, services, and warranties that are available.

Similar posts

Marine project spotlight - strataglass and riviera.

Canvas Innovations of Holland Michigan designed and manufactured this enclosure project using Riviera Marine Fabric and Strataglass.

Marine Project Spotlight - Riviera and Strataglass Combo

Chris Sharp MFC of Sharps Custom Canvas Inc. designed and manufactured this enclosure project using Riviera Marine Fabric and Strataglass.

Marine Project Spotlight - Riviera and Strataglass Transformation

This project won The Outstanding Achievement Award in the Tops and Enclosures 29' and Under category at the 2016 MFA National Convention.

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Marshall Sandpiper Boom Sail Bag: Colie Deluxe

Marshall sandpiper boom tent cover: colie deluxe.

The Marshall Sandpiper Boom Tent Cover is perfect for protecting your sail and cockpit while at the dock, on a mooring, or on a trailer. Strategically reinforced, this cover goes on easily utilizing a front zipper and adjustable snap buckles ensuring this cover fits over a variety of sail rolls. Boom and cockpit cover tents over the boom from the mast to transom. Hook hardware is provided for attaching to boat.

Cover Features:

• Covers are made out of Top Gun material and Tenara thread
• Colie Covers are made in the USA in Point Pleasent, NJ
• Boom tent cover is made out of Seagull Grey Top Gun
• 10 character personalization included at no additional charge
• UV and mildew resistant
• Tight fitting and long lasting

Colie Cover Care Guide

• Colie Deluxe Cover Care Guide

Colie Sails Original Design - Patent Pending

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Cockpit awning on a budget

At less than $100, this diy awning might not be as pretty as one that’s custom made but it does the job.

If your boat lies unattended, even for a short time—be it in a marina, (in or out of the water), or on a mooring—it doesn’t take long for it to become grubby, from bird droppings or wind blown dust. An awning is still the simplest and most effective defense method. It works particularly well to protect a large cockpit or the cockpit of a pocket cruiser for sleeping and living. 

I wanted to cover the center cockpit and bimini on my 45-foot schooner Britannia to shield it from the Florida sun. The bimini enclosure leaked a little especially during some of the horrendous cloudbursts on summer afternoons.

Of course, it’s always possible to have an awning custom made at any canvas or sail maker’s loft, but that wasn’t in my budget. 

The simplest and easiest way to create an awning is to buy a cheap plastic tarp from your local DIY store, drape it over a boom and attach it to the rails with bungee shock-cord, to basically form a simple tent or lean-to. The main boom on Britannia passes straight over the cockpit, so making a tent was easy. Most tarps have eyelets every 18 inches, so threading bungee cord through and hooking the other end to the rail was easy. 

However, as might be expected, such a simple solution has its inadequacies. Only the area where there is a support boom can be covered and if you anchor the sides down to a rail it can become a bit of a scramble to edge along the side decks. The tarp will also probably rub against the sides of the bimini, which can cause chafe to both materials in high winds. And, no surprise, a tarp tent looks cheap, because it is.  

I thought about how to overcome these defects, and make an awning that is both more effective and looks a bit more professional. An idea sprung from seeing covered wagons in an old Wild West movie and I decided to try to make a curved cover like those wagons. Such an arrangement might also hold the tarp clear of the bimini and allow air to pass between. It should also offer more headroom along the side decks and overcome the access problem.

I found manufacturers offering just such an awning for about $700 for my boat. And although I knew that what I could make would not look as finished as a purchased custom awning, I was mindful of the budget.

I bought a 12-foot-by-16-foot tarp from my local hardware store that nicely fit my main boom length of 16 feet and the boat’s 13-foot beam, tapering down to 10 feet towards the stern. The awning also extended over the aft hatch. Tarps are available in many different sizes and colors, so it should not be difficult to find or tailor one to suit almost any boat. 

I needed something to make three curved support bars. I bought six 10-foot-long, half-inch diameter PVC pipes. These are very strong yet flexible and used for high pressure hot and cold water in houses. I also found couplings to screw two pipes together so they could also be unscrewed to more easily stow the awning when we went sailing. I glued the adapters to each pipe, then screwed them together with a threaded coupling. 

To attach them to the boat I used the same type of pipe, but three-quarter-inch diameter. This size pipe has an internal diameter of a half-inch, so my half-inch awning supports slid inside this pipe perfectly. I fastened three short lengths of three-quarter-inch pipe to the stanchions on each side of the boat using hose clips, after first taping the stanchions to prevent scratching by the clips. The awning rods easily curved over the boom and into these sockets, forming three perfect arches. I fastened half-inch hose clips on the rods, to prevent them from sliding through the sockets.

After dragging the tarp over the boom, I used cable ties to strap it securely to the rods, through the eyelets in the front and back of the tarp. I then used one-quarter-inch line to secure the awning round the mast and a cable tie at the rear to fasten it to the end of the boom. I could only fasten the center support rod at the edges of the tarp, but it has stayed in place so far in all winds.

I then bought 10 3-foot lengths of bungee shock cord, (blue color to match the rest of the boat), with pre-made hooks on each end to anchor the tarp to the side lifelines and the front and rear rods. All that was needed to attach the cord to the tarp was to cut the hook off one end, then thread it through an eyelet in the tarp and tie a single overhand knot to stop it slipping out. The central arch not only supported the middle of the long tarp, but it provided more room to get under the awning and made it look neater. Shorter awnings than Britannia’s might not need a center support.

All told, the materials for this project cost just $90, including $37 for the tarp.

Dismantling the awning when we wanted to go sailing actually proved to be quite simple, and my wife and I soon became proficient. Leaving the two center fastenings front and back still attached, the shock cord is unclipped and the rods removed from their sockets. The rods are then unscrewed and one side of the awning is folded over the other while still attached to the boom at both ends. Then we remove either the front or rear center attachment and the awning can be tightly rolled up along with the rods. I tie the rolled up tarp to the lower lifelines on my boat, where it is out of the way, again using bungee cord. 

This inexpensive awning effectively protects Britannia’s canvas bimini from the fierce Florida sun as well as any expensive custom made cover. Temperatures in the cockpit are also significantly lower than when the awning is not fitted, and I can comfortably get along the side decks.

I consider this to be ample reward for the financial outlay and the small effort. I can even put up with the occasional remark that it “looks like a replica of a Conestoga wagon,” because envy is just another form of flattery.

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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Inexpensive DIY Cockpit Enclosure

Published on October 28, 2019 ; last updated on April 26, 2024 by Carolyn Shearlock

Dave and I are planning to leave the Florida Keys around the first of the year and want to be in Washington, DC about March 15. We know it’s going to be a chilly trip and possibly rainy. A cockpit enclosure seemed the perfect way to keep us a fair degree warmer and drier.

When I got bids for a cockpit enclosure from a couple of local canvas shops, I was floored. $8,000 to $10,000 for a custom cockpit enclosure. We have a catamaran, with a decent-sized cockpit, but it’s not huge. The whole boat is only 34 feet long by 14 feet wide; the cockpit about 5 feet long by 8 wide. We could buy an awful lot of long underwear for that kind of money! It was totally out of our budget.

A few days later, I dinghied by a friend’s catamaran and was intrigued by the shade enclosure they had on their cockpit. They’d gotten shade tarps such as are used in commercial growing operations and draped them over their hard bimini and tied them into place.

Hmm. Could I get clear plastic tarps and do something similar?

A few internet searches and I decided that I could make a serviceable cockpit enclosure for less than $500!

Admittedly, it wouldn’t be as fancy or “perfect” as one made by a canvas shop. And it would be unlikely to last as long. But we envision this trip as a one-time thing, not something we do every year. So I only need something that will last a year, for the trip north this winter/spring and the trip south next fall/winter.

Every boat is different, but here are photos and a parts list for what I did. Hopefully, it will give you ideas for what you might be able to do on your own boat.

Including paying for the sewing, the total cost of this project was just under $550 and we are thrilled with how it turned out.

I bought three clear plastic 30-mil tarps — one for each side of the cockpit and one for the rear. We put track on the underside of our hard bimini and sewed awning rope to the top of the tarps, which then slid into the tracks. On the curved sections, I used webbing straps with snaps to hold the tarps up. I put full-length zippers in both corners to make it easy to get in and out of the cockpit. And we added a few more straps with snaps and bungee hold-downs to keep the front and bottom edges of the tarps in place.

NOTE: Now having done this project, I think tracks are the way to do it to distribute the weight of the tarps. I had originally thought of just using snaps and I don’t think they would have held, particularly in any wind.

Before you get the wrong idea, these tarps aren’t thin like cleap drop cloths. They’re very heavy duty, such as you see at outdoor restaurants for use on cool or rainy days. Admittedly, they’re not as optically perfect as Strataglass but they will work for us — we look out through a true windshield for steering. The view out is pretty good and they turn the cockpit into a greenhouse of warmth!

IMPORTANT: I had planned to do all the sewing myself on my trusty Singer sewing machine. The Singer simply wasn’t up to the task, and I ended up paying Keith Portman — aka “Stitch” — $120 to do the sewing. I did all the design and basting, and helped with handling the large panels on the table, which reduced his time.

TIME: It took about 25 hours of Dave’s and my time, plus the sewing that I hired Keith for, to complete this project.

I cut off the top hem on the tarps and attached the awning rope where it would fit into the track and added roll-up straps. We sewed webbing along the top edge of the tarp where there wasn’t the awning rope to reinforce it. Then I made webbing straps and used snaps to hang the ends of the tarps and go around curves. I also used a few snaps to attach the front edge to the cockpit “wall.” Instead of trying to match the enclosure to the curve of the front edge of the bimini, I simply hung it inside and kept the angles all fairly square.

NOTE: if you have a fabric bimini, you can also get track that you can sew onto your bimini and hang tarps from that.

The back tarp was a foot longer than the side tarps, and once I verified that it would be okay with the shorter length, I cut it to match. I then cut the hem off the discarded piece and sewed it back on in order to have a reinforced lower edge. Finally, we added heavy zippers to both corners.

I had never used basting tape on a project before. It is essential to a project like this — there is absolutely no way you can pin anything to the tarps as they are so thick. Basting tape makes it all so easy — I absolutely love it!

Back to the boat where we installed the enclosure and put all the snaps onto the webbing tabs and on the boat. Keith, the local canvas maker who helped me, loaned me his Press-a-Snap tool , which is infinitely easier to use than having to hammer each one in (I’ve done that on previous projects and it works and is a lot cheaper if you can’t find someone to loan or rent the Press-a-Snap tool).

Finally, we put the bungee loops on the bottom. These are extremely easy to install and work really well in places where you want a little give so as not to strain the material.

Sailrite has extremely good videos on how to install the awning track and rope, snaps and the bungee loops (called shock cord cover loops). Watch them before doing any of the work!

While I had the basic idea in my head when I bought the materials, it’s important to note that the fine points of the design were decided as I worked on the project and put it up for numerous test fittings.

TarpsNow had the best selection and pricing on heavy-duty clear vinyl tarps I could find. I used two of their 5×5 tarps and one 6×8, for a total cost of $220, including shipping.

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:

• Long industrial-strength zippers (lengths to 15 feet available)
• Zipper pull tabs
• Snap sets (if you don’t already have one, get a Snap Installation Tool or Press-A-Snap and the right size hole cutter) — these have the male part as a screw in, and the female part to be installed in fabric; other combinations of screw-in and fabric are available
• Flex-a-Rail (track) — 44″ and 90″ are available; 90″ sections are expensive to ship and you can put the 44″ sections together easily
• Screws for Flex-a-Rail (they’re special)
• Vinyl awning rope
• Polyester webbing
• Shock cord cover clips
• Knobs for shock cord cover clips (need 1″ long #8 pan head screws for these – buy separately)
• Hole cutter for the shock cord cover clips
• Basting tape

If you’ll be doing your own sewing, don’t forget thread and heavy-duty sewing machine needles. While a hot knife would have been handy on all the webbing pieces, I cut it with scissors and then melted the ends with a butane lighter.

The zippers are stiff and hard to operate at first. I put a little zipper lubricant (Amazon) on both and they slid much more easily.

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.

Always let the plastic dry before rolling it.

Bottom Line

For my first time doing a project like this, I’m thrilled with the results. Obviously, I’ll know more once we’ve used the enclosure this winter. But I think it will keep us basically warm and dry (yes, there are places that air and rain can still get in) for a fraction of the cost of a “perfect” solution. From the outside, you almost can’t tell it’s there since there is no canvas.

If you’re looking for a one or two-year enclosure and don’t have to have it be perfect, I highly recommend using the clear plastic tarps and figuring out how to hang them on your boat.

And check out our other courses and products

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Reader Interactions

Winston Donahue says

October 28, 2019 at 10:16 am

Timely article, just what I needed. Thanks

Eric P says

October 29, 2019 at 1:22 pm

Remember to roll the plastic sheeting down and let it relax every couple of weeks or it will crease and crack.

October 29, 2019 at 3:00 pm

Great job, Carolyn. You’ve given me a few more ideas for similar projects with your details. Kate

Bob Mirabal says

October 31, 2019 at 11:58 am

Awesome, you understand how many of us “survive” in the boating world when the size of our checkbooks doesn’t match the size of our boating aspirations! Pls. let us know how they work out this winter.

Minta Fannon says

October 31, 2019 at 1:56 pm

Love it! We actually made an enclosure for approx. $100. We went to Walmart and bought plastic off the roll in the fabric department at less than $3 a yard. I think I got 9 yards. We bought a roll of industrial strength velcro,$49, also at Walmart, for the vertical seams. And we did snaps with my Sailrite snap tool, along the top to connect to our older Bimini. We had the same goal to just stay warm as we went south and it is amazing what a difference. We have since redone all our canvas and made a full enclosure that should last for years. But with a little “Hillbilly ingenuity” that first trip south was warm and dry!

Rachael Bohannon says

November 2, 2019 at 1:20 pm

Yay! Good job, long zippers can be tricky to keep the teeth matched & I’m sure that local canvas person had some little knowledge nuggets of gold to share. Like you said in the article – you got a good result only after re-fitting a number of times. This is where actually sewing etc on the boat can be a lot easier, when possible. Nice to be able to avoid making templates. Congrats, and great helpful article as always!

Lora Murphy says

November 4, 2019 at 7:45 am

Hey, you did a great job. I’m sure you have found out it is a learning experience. These days, there is so much info out there to help, but it’s not rocket science, just patience and practice. Roll your curtains up and down carefully when it is cold. If you get any scratches, you can use toothpaste to take small ones out. Hope you have a great trip!! It definitely will be a lot warmer.

Martiel says

December 3, 2019 at 9:22 pm

Thank you so much for this info. We have a custom cat we built and after asking around really do not want to invest 13-$15000m for an enclosure. I have been trying to figure out how to do this knowing it would not be perfect but wanting it nice looking. You have simplified it and relieved some of the though process. Thank you! Have a wonderful loop!

Michael Weaver says

February 27, 2021 at 1:53 pm

Thanks for a very timely article. I made a cover last year out of reinforced clear polyethylene and it lasted one year but eventually weakened and needed to be replaced. I went with a heavy duty white poly tarp this season but yesterday’s gale force winds made quick work of it so it’s back to the drawing board here. I like the looks of your version and will give it a try. I appreciate the clear (no pun intended…) instructions and your sharing the benefit of your own experience.

Carolyn Shearlock says

February 28, 2021 at 7:49 am

Ours has now held up for two winters, with occasional squalls and gusts in the 40’s, maybe a couple in the 50’s.

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Make a boom tent for your cockpit

• Ben Meakins
• April 11, 2016

Bob Goode shows how you can increase your accommodation by making a custom boom tent

Many years ago I started sailing with a Hurley 22, quite a small boat. Space was at a premium, especially with Anne and our  two small children on board.   We got around that problem  with a boom tent (see PBO March 1995).

Even though our current boat, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, is 9.7m (32ft) long, a period of wet and windy weather seems to shrink that down and make her feel much smaller. I also prefer to be outside in the fresh air where possible so that I can see what is going on around me. However, I don’t like getting wet – it dilutes my whisky too much. Time for another cockpit cover!

Sensible headroom Many yachts sport cockpit enclosures but these require a lot of fittings into the fibreglass and are very costly: I was quoted a four-figure sum for one but I did not want to spend that much. Besides, there is always the problem of where to stow these types of cover. Taking some very rough measurements of the cockpit, I cut a large sheet of builder’s polythene down to approximate size, then marked the centreline and fastened it to the boom with some sail ties through the plastic. I lifted the boom to get sensible headroom and ensure the cover would not rub on the sprayhood. The edges were then stretched out to the guard wires and clothes pegs used to secure them. The position of the edges were marked using a permanent marker, allowing around a four-inch gap for the lacings. I also took photographs for reference later. I made sure to allow the tent had plenty of overlap with the sprayhood at the front and also the cockpit sides so that no rain would find its way underneath. When deciding on the windows, I was careful to position them so that they were usable whether seated or standing. They are also placed such that when the cover is rolled up the window material is not folded, only rolled. This avoids creases in the plastic and will help to stop it splitting over time. If you have a cockpit mainsheet like I do then this will need to be released before the cover can be fitted. Lewmar supply quick-release shackles to replace the standard shackles on mainsheet blocks. These are quite expensive, but I was lucky in this respect as my mainsheet was already fitted with them. An alternative would be to have a slit in the cover to go around the mainsheet and close it with Velcro.

Trimming the template The template was then taken home, trimmed to size and notes penned on for reference. At this point there are several ways to proceed. I could have sewn the cover myself but a domestic machine is not really good enough for stitching several layers of heavy acrylic together. I know from bitter experience how much it costs to fix my wife’s sewing machine so I opted to get the work done with a local cover maker, hence the photographs and copious notes. By making the template yourself you will save a lot of his time and your money! If you are sewing the cover yourself and using PVC, be careful as it can stick to the foot of the sewing machine. A way around this is to place tissue paper either side of the seam and then stitch through it. Tear off when the seam is completed.

Shock cord tension

What the boom tent cost

The sheet polythene for the template cost £6 from Screwfix. A professional cover maker charged £328 for the finished boom tent in blue acrylic canvas, working from the template I supplied. I also bought: 8m of 6mm shock cord    £5.60 Nylon hooks    £6.90 2m of 6mm polyester line    £1.60 6 parrel beads    £2.40 4 luggage straps    £4.80 TOTAL: £356

SAVING MONEY If you are making one yourself, acrylic canvas is around £16/m and is available in 1.5m widths. My cover would have needed 5m. Blue PVC is not quite so nice, but would do the job for around half that price. Clear window PVC is around £8/m. Allow for 2m. Eyelets can be bought with a punch kit for self-fitting at around £7 for 25. Try to get extra punches as they blunt quickly. A length of webbing is needed to reinforce the centre seam and provide attachment for the luggage straps to hold the cover to the boom. A good source of such materials is Point North, at www.profabrics.co.uk. A home-sewn version would be about £130 using acrylic, or £90 using PVC – a lot cheaper than buying a bigger boat!

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sailboat cockpit enclosure Classic

... instructions, but no matter if your Cockpit Enclosure /tent is made Custom Made or Serial Made, take a look at our assembly videos. Are Sprayhoods and Cockpit Enclosures ...

sailboat cockpit enclosure XL

The XL tent is a Cockpit Enclosure that fits most medium-sized sailboats and offers maximum volume and headroom. XL-tent standard Removable sides and back with one large window in each part of ...

sailboat cockpit enclosure XXL

... on the aft side of the cockpit enclosure . - The center window can be rolled up. - Sock that protects the roof of the cockpit canopy when mounted for storage. - Supplied in a ...

sailboat cockpit enclosure

... behind the back of your sprayhood while keeping the skipper company in the cockpit . The fabric When you order a canopy such as a sail canopy, sprayhood, cockpit enclosure etc from ...

power boat cockpit enclosure

... further down the page. Cockpit enclosure motorboat standard - Knobs and fittings fitted in the boat canopy - Dirt-resistant bag for storage The fabric When you order a canopy such as a sail ...

Do you have a motorboat with an open cockpit ? Do you want to be able to drive your boat, but sit inside? For motorboats with an open cockpit we manufacture boat canopies and tents Custom Made which gives ...

... sailing in all weathers, the cockpit closure is essential protection for all those who are determined to extend the season and enjoy the pleasures of boating for longer. Very popular in Nordic countries, the cockpit ...

sailboat cockpit enclosure Biminitop

Ideal when you want to enjoy your boat in all seasons or after a good trip out to sea, canvas surrounds on biminitop protect you from the cold, spray and wind and keep you discrete in the harbour. Handy and modular, biminitop side covers ...

sailboat cockpit enclosure Rear

The rear enclosure covers the entire cockpit enabling the boat to be used in all seasons, and for a noticeable heat gain. It provides an additional living area on board and extra comfort in cold or wet ...

Noval offers a range of solution to implement your rear cockpit closure projects. Here is an overview of the solutions Noval offers. Noval's team is available to create tailor-made solutions that fit your specific ...

custom cockpit enclosure

Camper covers of NAUTI SATTLER are produced for every boat type either on individual measurement directly at the boat or on basis of available templates. The equipment will be realized according to your wishes. The canvas are available ...

The motorboats with an hard top, a fly or an open wheelhouse can be entirely closed and well protected thanks to an aft canopy, during mooring or after navigation. A light framework, easy to install, with a canvas that completes either ...

catamaran cockpit enclosure

sailboat cockpit enclosure F

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