Pitoraq: “Windward 30” – the process

Apr 9, 2020

Pitoraq boat cover

For all those OnBoard subscribers who have followed along with the maintenance, repairs and upgrades to the 1979 Windward 30 called Pitoraq, we would like to take a step back to when this all began in late fall at the onset of the winter months at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association in Esquimalt. Once the boat was safely secured on land Graham the boat’s owner set about building a frame and covering the boat for the winter.

2” block of wood fastened to the toe rail

The framing and shrink wrap was donated from a similar sized boat. Graham first installed 2” thick blocks of wood to the aluminum toe rail around the perimeter of the boat. He then attached lengths of 1 x 3 to the blocks of wood. The shrink wrap would be stapled to the 1 x 3. The space between the 1 x 3 and the toe rail would allow for airflow inside the coved boat.

Aluminum framing

The framing required a few modifications and each connection in the framing that would come in contact with the shrink wrap was itself wrapped with foam. With the use of some 2 x 4’s and tiedown straps the centre tube of aluminum framing was secured to the deck at the mast step.

Shrink wrap and framing

With the framing in place the shrink wrap was then stapled to the 1 x 3. This proved to be an extremely strong weather resistant structure. The winter on the West Coast has been much colder and there were several extreme windstorms with gusts up to 90 km.

Pitoraq back in the water

The boat was launched on March 18th with the shrink wrap still in place. Now that all the deck repairs are complete the painting and Kiwi grip can be applied.

Matt Price at Harbour Chandler assembles paint for Pitoraq refit

Pitoraq thanks Matt Price at Harbour Chandler for his recommendations and assistance in choosing the right paints for the boat. https://www.harbourchandler.ca/