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We pay at least £30 for each one publishedABOVE the panel
of instruments is
protected from
the elements.
RIGHT the
acrylic was
trimmed to size
before being
clamped and
bent into shape
with a blow lampAlmost done! The end panels are held in place with the help
of a soldering iron and some spot welding, aided by tapeComfort zone: one bespoke
latex mattress cut to sizeSam Longley constructs a simple instrument cover
Downpour in Ostend
is mother of invention
CARVE-UP OF
QUARTERS
Q Andy Leake reveals the
secret to cutting rectangular
latex mattress to fi t a vee-berth.
We had both been suffering
from backache, so decided it
was time to invest in some new
mattresses for our liveaboard
Beneteau 46.
Having made the decision, it
was off to our local IKEA (we
were in Lisbon at the time),
where we purchased two single
latex mattresses. We then set
about cutting them to size.
The bread knife, however,
made a mess and the scissors
were untidy. So off we went to
Jumbo, our local supermarket,
in search of an electric carving
knife. It worked brilliantly –
highly recommend for slicing
up latex mattresses.
Then the fun really started
as we began reconstructing
the covers.W
hile sitting in
Ostend at
the end of
August waiting for
the weather to
improve, we were
deluged with heavy rain
for three days. Just as we
were about to leave I found
that I had left the covers off
my instruments and water
had penetrated them.
To prevent a reoccurence, I
made an acrylic cover for them
when the boat is laid up.
To do this, I cut a cardboard
pattern of the cover I required
and obtained some 3mm
acrylic sheet from a DIY
store, which I trimmed to size
by scribing with a knife and
fi ne saw.
I ascertained where the
bends were needed and
clamped the sheet between
the bench and a piece of
timber. Then by gently heating
with a blow lamp, quickly
passing along the bend line
and not dwelling on the same
spot too long, the sheet
started to bend downwards.
To get the 90° right angle I let it
bend right down. To get the
splayed angle I supported it
for 2-3 minutes with a batten
while it cooled.
The ends were cut using the
cardboard patterns and one
can be seen in the photo.
I then inserted the end
panels but had not realised
that hot melt glue or silicon will
not stick to acrylic. Not wishing
to invest in expensive glue, I
resorted to spot welding using
a soldering iron and gently
melting and moulding the
joints together as one. This I
did in fi ve spots each end. To
tidy it up I then covered the
ends in tape.I now have a plastic box to
cover the instruments when I
leave the boat. It will probably
go opaque but that is not a
problem as I will remove it
when sailing.
If I make another I will
improve it by making the frontdeeper and forming an
inward return nib that will
hook under the instruments
so that the wind will not get
under it. It will also make the
front more rigid. But that is
for another day and another
sheet of acrylic.PROJECT
OF THE
MONTHCOST
£19.99