Companionway Cover

To keep the rain and sea spray out on those less than fair-weather sailing days, I created a Sunbrella cover for my 1987 Capri 22 (#239) which snaps onto the inside of the sliding hatch. The sides of the cover use snaps running down each side of the hatch. Since no two boats are alike, I recommend making a pattern out of paper and trying it on your boat before committing anything to a piece of canvas.





I started the patterning process by taking a picture of the companionway and recording the key dimensions. My design hangs from the sliding hatch, so I needed to include the area behind the horizontal teak.



The edges are finished in the following manner:

• Fold "1" over "2" and iron the seam
• Fold "2" over "A" and iron the seam
• Stitch a seam 1/4" away from the two longs edges of "A"
• Use edge binding on the top of "A"
• Fold "3" over "4" and iron the seam
• Fold "4" over "B" and iron the seam
• Stitch a seam 1/4" away from the two longs edges of "B"
• Use edge binding on the top of "B"
• Fold "5" over "6" and iron the seam
• Fold "6" over "C" and iron the seam
• Stitch a seam 1/4" away from the two longs edges of "C"
• Fold "7" over "8" and iron the seam
• Fold "8" over "D" and iron the seam
• Stitch a seam 1/4" away from the two longs edges of "D"

The top edge of the cover has a slight peak in the center to accommodate the inside curve of the sliding hatch.

Curve follows the hatch.

Edge binding.

The last step in making the cover involves installing the snaps. I installed four snaps on the cabin side of the sliding hatch, and then four snaps down each side of the companionway. Attach the cover to the boat with tape and then feel through the canvas for a snap. Once found, press the canvas down hard against the snap. This will leave a ring marked on the canvas where you now install the cover's half of the snap. While repeating this process for the remaining snaps, don't forget to stretch the canvas across the hatch for a tight fit.

Since finishing the cover, I've found it useful beyond its originally intended purpose of keeping the rain out. It's very handy at night for covering the hatch when we've decided not to put the crib boards in, but we want some privacy.