Four of our five 10-pound propane cans are mild steel. Meaning they rust and leave orange streaks behind, which is bad enough, but the rust makes the propane guys nervous and they may refuse to fill it. So after wire-wheeling to remove the rust, priming with Corroseal to prevent future rust, and painting with Rustoleum […]
Canvaswork
Canvaswork is dear to my heart. Awnings, cushions, covers, stack-packs - they challenge both the engineer and the artist within me.
To get started read about Making a Tote Bag or Bunk Pockets.
If you're feeling ambitious look at articles on Awnings or Stack Packs.
Easy Salon Cushions for a Boat
Salon cushions are at the heart of most cruising boats. Although in warm climates you may spend most of your time in the cockpit the salon is there for you in cooler weather, at night, when underway, and the center of activity within the boat. But for that reason it can be intimidating to take […]
Step by Step Cockpit Cushion Instructions
These cockpit cushion instructions step through the process of making a boxed cushion for a boat using closed cell foam, a water-resistant material, with zippers and piping (welt). With a few exceptions, which I’ll point out, this “recipe” can also be adapted for interior cushions with softer foam and even with other types of cushions such […]
How to Choose the Right Webbing for the Job
Webbing varies widely in its construction and best usage. I’m going to talk about the kind you will usually see in sewing and marine supply shops to help you pick the best one for your project. I will not be talking about tubular webbing (think jack lines) or the super thick “seat-belt” webbing or others of […]
Cockpit Cushions: what are my choices for materials?
My cockpit cushions are ancient and brick hard. The zippers can sometimes grudgingly be coaxed into zipping or unzipping. So I decided to make new ones. But unlike cushions you might sew up some afternoon for your backyard, cockpit cushions are relatively technical.
Cruiser A/C: Design an Awning to keep your boat cool
Adding an awning to your boat is a fabulous way to add shady, rain-proof living space to your boat while you cool the interior. An awning cools your boat by reducing solar gain and can be considered essential equipment in Mexico and similar climates. Even in relatively temperate Hawaii they are a godsend. Luckily an awning […]
