We've suffered with just the small bimini (sun shade) over the cockpit for the past few weeks and I want some shade! Maybe a little protection for when it rains? Talk about a pain in the fanny when it rains! You can't open the hatch without it raining inside the cabin! Ugh! We have a tarp that can be used as a cover, but it's around the hatch where the air conditioner is to keep the rain out of the v-berth. We need a solution!
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| The view from below decks |
Well, it can't be said that necessity doesn't breed solutions! Bob took our inflatable air mattress and sealed in the v-berth hatch around the a/c unit. Not only is it thicker and provide better insulation, but it's heavier and doesn't rustle when the wind blows. Hey, that was a good idea! Thanks baby!!!
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| The air mattress covering the hatch where the a/c is installed. Taken from the main hatch. |
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The a/c unit is actually better insulated now and the boat is cooler.
Necessary now that the refrigerator is heating us up so much! |
Now, I had thought that I would purchase a couple of long PVC pipes and attach (read tie here) two sides of the tarp to a piece of the pipe, drape the pipe over the boom (that's the long thing that sticks over the cockpit where the sail is attached Ms. B) and then anchor the PVC to the sides of the boat. That would provide a "bowed" effect and keep the tarp nice and tight while providing shade and rain protection.
Bob decided to drape the tarp itself over the boom and tie it down like a tent. I have to admit that it works just fine this way and the results are the same. It doesn't leave as much space to get into the boat, but I didn't have to do the actual work, so I'm pleased with the results~lol
He finished just in time for a nice rain storm:-) I left the hatch part-ways open and had a wonderful nap listening to the rain. Not one drop of water inside the cabin. I think it may stay like this!
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| My sun shade tarp from the front of the Mystery. |
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| Where we board is a little limited on space, but we ARE in the shade and we ARE dry when it rains! |
Ms. B thanks you for clarifying the boom. Looks like a great solution to the sun and rain, not to mention the air bed insulating the a/c unit and helping it to work more efficiently. Loving the pics....keep them coming!!
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