A bit of shade for the bow, too

We have expended a great deal of time and resources to complete the bimini project and provide shade for the cockpit area, what about the other end of the boat?  With a little over a days worth of effort we created an awning for the foredeck.  The foredeck awning is less about shade and more intended to increase ventilation  by allowing the forward hatches and ports to remain open during rain showers.

We began the project by creating a pattern using plastic sheeting...

The pattern was then used to figure out the best layout to minimize material waste.  We used the excess along the sides in the image above to create the forward triangle on the pattern....

Creating patterns for projects and calculating the most efficient use of material is a facet in which I feel my sewing has improved in the past couple weeks.  The only waste material in this project as the two small triangles that extend out left and right at the top of the image above.

Below is the completed tarp.  To keep systems uniform on the boat, I again used flat webbing and cam buckles for the attachment points

Ample webbing will allow for flexibility in setting up to account for various conditions.  The pattern was created for the primary set up seen in the image below.

More images of the project can be viewed via a link titled Foredeck Awning in the photo albums links on the right side of our web page.

The final touches on the bimini project

We added two sappelle wood strips, the same type of wood as the gallows, to the aft edge of the bimini top.  The  strips act as a gutter to shunt rainwater to the outer edges of the top and also provide an anchor point for the fasteners used to attach the bimini extension.

Next we installed the sunbrella extension  The final fitting involved correct placement of the grommets for the dot twist fasteners on the upper hem and sewing on the correct length webbing to the lower hem.

The extension will provide us with more sun and weather protection while at anchor or docked.

Next steps? We have created a pattern for a foredeck tarp that will shelter the forward hatch and ports in the vee berth.  We hope that the tarp will allow leave the hatch and ports open during the common tropical afternoon and evening showers.

Departure?  We are watching Invest 93 a low pressure system due south of the Dominican Republic.  We will wait for a more definitive forecast for our area before casting our dock lines.  With C'est la Vie projects winding down and work responsibilities at a minimum we enjoying the opportunity to visit local friends.  Unless Invest 93 is forecast to threaten this area the earliest departure date will be Saturday, June 26.