Issue 32 : Sept/Oct 2003
Like most sailors, I take pride in ownership. Every item not in use is stowed in its proper place, and anything with a cover is covered. It is because of this attention to detail that Splash, my O’Day 222, routinely receives compliments from other sailors.
I recently needed a couple of winch covers. Wanting something more substantial than the conventional cloth covers, I paid a visit to the local home-improvement store. There I obtained a pair of 4-inch PVC end caps and a 13-inch scrap piece of 4-inch PVC pipe. With a minimal amount of work, these were transformed into a pair of hard-body winch covers.
Fabricating the covers was a snap. I cut the scrap length of pipe to match the height of the winch and sanded all cut ends and rough spots. Using PVC cement, I glued the pipe into the end cap. To finish off the winch cover, I drilled a small hole into the side of the end cap and attached a short lanyard of 1⁄8-inch line.
PVC end caps come in many sizes, however the ones best used for making winch covers are 4, 5, and 6 inches. All of these are wide enough that when a short piece of PVC pipe is inserted to accommodate for winch height, the internal diameter is still greater than the nominal pipe size. Measure the diameter and height of the winch before purchasing the materials.
Not only do the hard-body winch covers afford protection and look good, when turned over they are convenient receptacles for storing springs, pawns, and associated parts while servicing the winch.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
