Hi Don,

Before you start sewing, you should check your local county fairgrounds.  My local Midland Co Fairgrounds offers off season storage for boats,RV’s, cars, motorcycles, etc in their animal and vender exhibit buildings.  It’s indoor storage with fences and guards security.  As a Midland county resident, I can store S/V Dynamic Equilibrium for 6 months for $600.  I used to tarp my boat for the winter until this option became available.  Indoor winter storage is a big reason why S/V Dynamic Equilibrium still looks so good after 45 years.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 26, 2021, at 9:16 AM, Donald Simons via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
>  Graham,
> Thank-you for the suggestion of the billboard vinyl.  That may be a great option.  Over 10 yrs ago I purchased a Sailrite sewing machine and sewed a bimini for our Rhodes.  I just started looking at Sailrite's video of how to sew a winter cover:  https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sailrite.com%2FHow-to-Make-a-Winter-Sailboat-Cover&data=04%7C01%7C%7C500341d215484c57154208d980f84c70%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637682626191153571%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=LoizbgjwBSV%2BvqVeTSLmRJ9blWr3QNeCA4JtiQ%2B2ahw%3D&reserved=0 .  Over the years I have had a great experience with Sailrite.
> Since I am interested in a cover that sits on the mast using the GBI crutch, sewing this cover may be a viable option.
> 
> Don Simons,
> Ithaca, NY
>    On Thursday, September 23, 2021, 09:48:48 PM EDT, Graham Stewart <gstewart8 at cogeco.ca> wrote:  
> 
> I have several shelters that I use for my boats where I needed to replace tarps almost annually. Nothing seemed to last. I found a place that sells billboard vinl in large sheets. Some pieces are used and have advertising on one side but they also sell large sheets of new vinyl as well. Panels can be joined or sleves made using vinyl adhesive. The vinyl is heavy duty and lasts much longer than even the heavy duty poly tarps. I expect to get about 5 years out of mine - one has already lasted 4 years and should get me through next year.
> See: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbillboardtarps.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C500341d215484c57154208d980f84c70%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637682626191163524%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=vBcnS%2B3gxDhMjyHT56UghVb8xIF%2BKHDb7AKOdLCuksg%3D&reserved=0 
> I have attached a picture of the shelter with the vinyl cover that I use for my Rhodes
> 
> Graham Stewart
> Agile, Rodes 22, 1976
> Kingston Ontario
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Donald Simons via Rhodes22-list
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 1:05 PM
> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Winter Cover
> 
> Over the years I store our Rhodes outside with a tarp over the mast and tied off to the trailer.  This works reasonably well, but living in the northeast I find the silver tarps from Harbor Freight don't last more than just a few seasons.  Has anyone found a source for quality tarps at a reasonable cost?  Perhaps canvas vs poly?  Thanks for any suggestions.
> Don SimonsIthaca, NY
>