Pilothouses vs. canvas cockpit covers

What about the weight savings from using canvass?

Ian Nicholson in his book 'small steel craft' suggesting in one chapter that hard parts could be replaced with cloth. He suggests the weight-savings (especially for steel boats) could be substantial, for example;

"The essence of the scheme is that instead of using steel plating (or wood) for the aft end of the wheel-house, a Terylene, PVC or canvas curtain is substituted. Weight-saving is dramatic, because the curtain will be of the order of one-fiftieth of the steel weight".

Ok - a wheel-house, dodgers (of course) - what about building the pilothouse out of frame+canvass?

but what about other parts like - cabin-house-sides or cockpit seats? (probably could be walked on) - or a zip-door instead of wash-boards?

I wonder what the tear-strength of the heaviest cloth would be? - UV issues asside.

For attaching Ian Nicholson recommends bolts at 4 inch intervals.

Clearly maintenance issues are important - perhaps they would have to be replaced every five years or so when subject to the elements.

but with today's cloths?

 

OK, but don't go out on the ocean

 

I've seen zip-doors on smaller sailboats, like under-30' racers. It's probably the easiest way to go in or out without letting too much wet in -- certainly easier than fumbling with boards.

That's about what we have, at least in the higher stress areas like the top of the windshield. Lower edges are probaby twice that.

It's a good question. I'm sure it depends on where you are. "Ours" is still in great shape after 7 years, but that's in the Pacific Northwest. I was amazed at this, but I'm from southern CA, where sun and air pollution take their toll. I'm sure tropical sun would be even worse.

--