How to make a "Dragon Wing" sailboat awning
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2022
- Living aboard in the topics is HOT, BRIGHT, and RAINY! Having a good sailboat awning is a game-changer. Everywhere we sail, we see shoddy awnings that are falling apart. So in this video, we talk about what NOT to do when designing an awning, we give you a close-up look at our awning, and show you how to design and build your own version of our "Dragon Wing' style.
This video has been requested over and over by our patrons and viewers. It's taken us a long time to edit, and some of this footage is 3 years old! We decided to make this video more in-depth.
Have questions or comments? Leave them below! We do our best to read and answer all comments on our channel.
IN THIS VIDEO:
[00:33] Why you need an awning
[01:33] What NOT to do / Common failures
[03:35] A closer look at our "Dragon Wing" awning
[11:20] Can you make this yourself?
[12:48] Overview of the process
[13:25] 1) Determine your requirements
[15:13] 2) Measure the boat
[18:59] 3) Sketch it out
[24:20] 4) Gather materials / our Sunbrella source
[29:04] 5) Constructing the awning
[29:21] Sewing the awning
[32:14] Making the struts
[33:29] Rigging the awning
[35:15] Waterproofing & protectants
[36:35] Awning care & maintenance
[37:16] Rigging for rain collection
[38:06] Want help making your own?
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This video has a full and comprehensive explanation of the whole process from start to finish. My husband is an upholsterer and has worked with marine applications for decades and I can say that everything in this video from supplies to techniques is spot on.
Well done for taking on the project yourselves, and for creating a guide for others to follow. We will be using this design for our own sailboat shade.
Thanks for a detailed explanation. The Dragon Wing has been the most attractive, fitting and useful rainwater collector I have seen.
Hope to get to this as a priority as well the latitude. The name just inspired an embellishment when I do it.
Emily and Clark. You guys rock! Sharing is caring and this awning idea is invaluable! Adding this to my "To Do List". Thanks!
You're welcome
I was very impressed by the quality of your video and design. Well done. Very informative. Thanks
Thanks Larry
Hope you enjoy our other videos
This was an awesome tutorial. I'm all about sunshade and sun safety! Thank you both! 👏🏼
Standing ovation!!
Emily and Clark, Thank you so much for your professional presentation, detailed description, and walkthrough. Sharing your well developed design and step by step process has turned a daunting dream into a viable task for any determined layman.
I sincerely admire your multitude of accomplishments.
Thank you for your invitation and guidance as a cruiser to viewers, dreamers, do-ers and other long term cruisers. Your examples are a pinnacle for each of us to aspire to in our daily lives, and hopefully reply in kind when we may cruise one day too.
Thanks Kevin
Another excellent instructional video. Thank you. Hope you are both well.
Thanks Robert.
Great job on the awning. I ended up making a hard top for S/V Alita Fox so it’s storm proof. Here in Mexico we get Chubascos that will blow anything apart. Then I had some small ones made to fill in the gaps between the hard top and the rest of the deck out of heavy sail material so there storm proof. So far so good.
I'm about to FINALLY make this.. well..a sailing friend with a sewing machine is going to use some brand new sails I have (surplus.. Don't for my boat at all) to create this. Our awning will be modified as we sail a schooner 😎
Love this bat wing, er, dragon wing awning. Thinking another great strut material would be bamboo. Really like the tie down design!
Yes bamboo would be interesting to try. I haven't had a source when I needed some.
Nice video
I have the exact same awning on my boat, but in strong coton ( military surplus) same shape, but not perfectly waterproof and fiberglass from a old full batten sail.
But your system to collect water is genius.
In fact you are better
Cheers
Thanks. I appreciate the ideas.
You're very welcome, Doug.
I don't know if you remember me, we corresponded about wind generators some years ago. I think you posted some of my comment on your webpage.
I have something you might find interesting. I've developed a device that makes it easy to add Lifepo4 to an off grid system and is arguably the only offering that charges the li correctly. I've been offering them for a year, we've sold about 300 of them. The ISO is developing a standard around my work and asked me to write the white paper that will get them started. So this is becoming a thing.
Anyway if you'd like one to install and review I think I'm at that stage. You can contact us at emilyandclarksadventure@gmail.com. the device is described here. www.emilyandclarksadventure.com/bbms
Great video, very good attention to detail, both with the awning and the explanation! I made myself an awning that's not a quarter as nice as yours but I used bamboo for the ribs (poles). It's free if you cut it yourself. "Candy" it over a fire gives a nice natural treatment. It's lighter and stronger by far than any competing material. It doesn't corrode or rust and is naturally rot resistant. And it's so boat-friendly, when you bump them around during stowing and retrieval, it hurts nothing, including you!
I think that would be a great strut material.
I always like these "how to do things videos" really informative like the 3 eye splice I made several now its time to make an awning
Glad our videos have helped you.
Wow! I loved it so detailed and clear, many thanks for sharing your knowledge abilities and experience
Thanks. Have you subscribed yet?
Thank you. I think maximum overhang is what I want. Sun isn't right overhead. I can also use these thoughts to add a front awning that is lower to the deck. Cheers.
Absolutely. We had a wind generator up there but with our Li batteries and the BankManager we just don't need the power anymore so we might do the same someday.
Wide makes for more wind loading. We use side curtains very often. Just a few feet hanging from the sunny edge. Makes life better and comes down fast when the wind comes up.
Cross marketing working for me! Most of my sailing life has been in Alaska. I sailed down to Mexico a couple of years ago and have been thinking all that time I need an awning. Now I’m looking ahead to a canal transit where I’ll be required to have more shade than I do and a few days ago I ordered sunbrella to make an awning. I’ve been thinking about how to do so and doing a little research so today, even though I’m not much of a sailing video consumer, this popped up in my UA-cam recommendations. And it looks a lot like what I’ve been thinking about but with many clever improvements. Impeccably timed- thank you so much for posting it!
And of course you have a new subscriber
Glad it was useful John.
I hope you choose to watch a few more of our offerings and maybe subscribe. We aren't your average "bikini and beaches" channel. There are a bunch of things that will make life easier for you on a boat like ua-cam.com/play/PLsT7_jPsZM5qNlstuF-fdlgjrimo18tq7.html
And
www.emilyandclarksadventure.com/bbms
Thanks
Great insight for making a custom dragon Wing canopy, great instruction . Now i know what materials are needed . Awsum👍
Thank you again. I continue to repeat myself, as these informative videos are such an excellent resource. Be well.
Thanks.
Please share links around. I'd appreciate the exposure.
Very well done! Thank you.
That was very informative. Liked it
Thank you!! We were just discussing shade options and my husband recommended your awning. I appreciate this video so much!
Great video and clear introductions. Thank you!
You're very welcome Raireva
Another great one to revisit...thank you
Thanks Dug
Great video! I have a trawler and use commercially available sunshades with wooden struts I made. Works great for sun but doesn't protect from rain as it is a mesh. Pretty inexpensive but probably won't last as long as sunbrella.
Beautifully explained ,great idea👌
Thank you
I love it, another great invitation!
Thanks Asen
This was an amazing installation video! Thanks
Your welcome Joy. Hope you watch some of our other videos.
Great job on a really helpful topic!
Thanks Leo
Great video. Very helpful.
Thanks
Great video. I learned something and got good ideas for the awning on my boat. Thanks.
You're welcome Andreas
Wow this is a great idea. Very well thought out.
Thanks
Such a great video and tutorial- thank you guys!!
You're very welcome James.
Hope you enjoy our other videos.
Innovative idea you have there mate!
Thanks Cal
You guys are great! Thanks!
Thanks
I love what you do chaps ,I am fixing up a
My 32 footer in Cape town South Africa and you are my gurrus ,thanks and best regards John
Thanks John
Very smart design.
Thanks
Great video, thanks!
You're welcome
Great video and explaining. :)
Thanks
Thank you guys!!!
You're welcome Pedro
I don’t see a link for the Neechi Sewing Machine. Interesting video which was well thought out and delivered…
It's a neechi HD22. I don't think they make that model anymore.
@@EmilyAndClark thanks I checked and actually they still do sell it and currently on sale for $369 7/2/22.
That's about what I paid. Much cheaper then the sailrite I bought first! And honestly I like it better.
When looking I researched what home leather workers we're buying.
VERY Nice!!!!!!
Would used sail material work... perhaps not last as long, but inexpensive if one shops around - and the bamboo struts idea was great!
Might be worth using an old sail. Just realize that all the stitching would have to be removed and resewn as sails are sewn with curves to give them camber. Last thing you want in an awning.
Interesting idea. I'm wondering if I can use the material from my current awning (plus some more) to build something like this. I do like how you mix things up between the slice of life and how to videos.
Sure use what you have. It might not last as long as new but you will likely have a great idea about how to make the next one better anyway.
great video, Subscribed and looking forward to checking out more of your videos
Thanks
Excellent, now I don't have to trial and error this.
You can mix white spirit and silicone. 1 tube silicone to 1 gallon white spirit. I'm in my 3rd season and still good on a chaep fabric. Even makes cotton waterproof 🤗
Yes I look forward to trying that when I need to re proof this
@@EmilyAndClark just mix it well and just mix what you need. It doesn't store well when mixed.
Thanks
Very helpful .. many thanks, we need to make an awning for our boat in Malaysia and i will be following your advice .. pointless reinventing the wheel ! As a matter of interest its always so much easier using metric measurements as opposed to feet and inches but thats just a personal preference !
Our sunbrella comes in inches.
Glad you found the vidro useful.
Just 🤔 brilliant!!….😁👍
Thank you
Thanks for sharing an excellent harbor awning design! I was designing a harbor awning for our sailboat and googling to see if anyone had done something similar to my own plans for a hollow-cut awning and found your video. Perfect. To reinforce the aesthetic of our own boating lifestyle on a pre-WWII schooner, I try to use traditional materials where possible. I was excited to learn that you'd had success with wood dowels for the struts. I was considering 1-1/4" closet-rod hardwood dowels as they are inexpensive and readily available (vs getting some oak ones via online shipped). What did you use? Would love to know. Also another person commented on mounting flexible solar panels. I agree the traditional ones just degrade quickly with bending but we're purchasing some CIGS panels to test out on the awning as they don't have the same issues as traditional silicon based solar panels. I hope the awning doesn't flex TOO much while in use as the CIGS are extremely flexible but constant movement can't be good for them either. . Thanks again! for the video and I'd love to learn what size and kind of wood dowels you were using.
1 1/4 closet rod is about what I remember.
Each was two part for storage. I used a couple feet of aluminum tubing to join them. (Within a few years the wood swelled up and wouldn't come out of the tubing but by then I was storing the poles on deck anyway)
you guys need cable channel I'm serious love you guys Clark did anyone tell you you look like Ernest Borgnine with that clean shave you rock
Thanks. But UA-cam is enough work!
It's becoming overwhelming
Super well presented! Thanks for all the details and parts listed. One thing you left out was what schedule the aluminum pipe is? i.e. schedule 10, 40, etc. or is it actually tubing?
Yes I should have given the wall thickness. It's thin tubing not pipe.
I'd have to take the end caps off to measure, so I'll guess it's about 1/8" wall.
Whatever the metal shop has the most of in anodized 1 1/2 aluminum.
Give it a flex test at the length you will need (as per the video). That's the most important selection criteria.
If you needed shorter struts you should choose smaller tube.
Aye m8s! Nice vid! Sewing machine is mandatory I think.
Thanks MiQ
Hi Emily and Clarke, great video well done.
Did you ever try fibreglass poles for the cross beams instead of ally and wood, and if you did, what were the problems? They seem like a good solution in regards to strength and flex and come in sections so can easilybe stored.
Thanks again for the great video.
Regards Jeremy. Med and uk sailing.
Nope haven't tried. Seems like a good idea
Emily and Clark, thank you for all of your wonderful videos. I have watched this one several times and fully appreciate it's clarity and creation. I scrolled through the comments to see if these questions have been asked and didn't come across anything so forgive me if this is a repeat. What are your thoughts on using fiberglass or aluminum shock corded tent poles as struts? Also, in the years that you have used this have you felt a need to have more shade coming down to block afternoon sun? Thank you in advance!
Yes I've added temporary side curtains. We use them a lot lately to make video lighting work in the mornings when the sun is low. In the DR the wind comes up in the afternoon and makes filming impossible.
The tent struts I'm familiar with are much too flimsy for my needs on Temptress. Wood dowels work well and of course the aluminum tube.
Seems it needs to be much larger in diameter then the tent poles I've seen.
@@EmilyAndClark Thank you, I really appreciate your reply and your time!
Have you ever considered having an awning for the forward section of Temptress as well?
We had a big 8 foot wind generator up there so it wouldn't work. But we have stopped using it since the latest electrical system upgrade and we have considered extending the awning forward.
Thank you! I just got Sunbrella for the aft section and plan to follow your design. I think a forward section might be in my future too 🙂
Have you considered putting some flexible solar panels on top of the awning? That looks like a lot of area with great exposure to the sun
No I'm concerned that the awning flexes too much. Flex panels can flex but shouldn't. They are fragile.
Also we have plenty of panels already. We even run AC at night.
E&C, thanks for this. I'm not sure I get the leech line, when you pull it, what keeps it taut (tie it off or is there a clip)? Are the leech lines discontinuous on each side or one big continuous leech line per side? Love this plan, I need shade relief!
I just tie them off to each other.
This is diy. Add a clip of you like
This is a GREAT T.V. SHOW !!!
Glad you enjoyed it. Please consider subscribing and you might find you like some of our older videos. If you have a hot boat I suggest ua-cam.com/play/PLsT7_jPsZM5qNlstuF-fdlgjrimo18tq7.html
Brill video - thanks. Not sure if mentioned below, but could you please give me an indication of weight (including poles)?
So hard to tell as it's long and bulky. Also boat size is very dependent on how big it is.
But my guess for ours would be 20lbs maybe a bit more.
@@EmilyAndClark Thanks guys - helpful.
of coarse if one lives in the PNW (or anywhere at a higher latitude I guess), one might opt for a pilot house instead. ;) All kidding aside, I will likely be making two awnings for the parts of our very small boat that do not have solar panels. One will be used to extend the new pilot house (I wasn't kidding about that part) and the other forward.
Yes I envied the pilot house boats when I was sailing the pudget sound.
I was thinking of doing one over my pilot house :-) Here in the Netherlands at 52 degrees North it is getting quite sunny and hot nowadays. Greetings from Rotterdam.
@@Nerd3927 My boat is only 22 ft long and I need space for solar panels too.
Look at the thumbnail. I used to move my solar panels forward when I put the awning up. (The picture was from when I had more panels so I used both locations). And back when I sailed
Worked for many years.
Are there any good hiking trails in the Dominican Republic? If so do you plan on doing any hiking, or backpacking? If you do I would love a video on it.
Thanks.
We hike out to some nice blowholes now and again. I think we show some of that in an adventure log. One of the ones not filmed on Temptress of course.
But we haven't really explored much by foot by trail. Since we don't have a car here and walk everywhere we go in land the idea of backpacking might not be as interesting to us here.
What about using good quality carbon fibre tent poles to keep tension on the awning ?
If you have something stiff enough that doesn't cost that much I'd love to learn about it.
The heaviest tent poles I've bought flex way too much.
I just bought a boat. Dragonwing is a great name for a boat. At least it would be a rare name....
E&C, I love the content you produce, though I have some uneasiness with this video. Are you concerned about the water sealant leaching into your rainwater catchment system? Also, as others have said, Dragon Wing is an excellent name for this design.
Yes we didn't collect water from it for the first two years
I like that name.. Dragon Wing... perfect name.
Thanks Allen
Hey Clark, I have free standing masts on my boat so, should I use a strut for the front since I have no shrouds to which I can attach the forward edge?
Interesting problem.
The front edge is under more load than the aft edge. A strut would definitely be needed and also rigging to hold the strut straight. Maybe two lines attached to a spinnaker halyard and a couple of down lines.
Either the strut would need to be quite rigid or you'd also need some lines forward to (fore stay?) to keep it straight and squared.
@@EmilyAndClark because of my lazyjacks I've be wondering about suspending the awning BELOW the boom instead of from a halyard above the boom. I'd have plenty of cockpit headroom but would, of course have to sacrifice headroom on the side decks.
Anyway you want of course.
I just take down my lazyjacks
@@EmilyAndClark How long does it take you to take them down and, of course, to reset them?
I put clips on the boom side. I just unclip them and clip mine to the ratlines. 30 seconds??
where do you store it while sailing or does it stay in place
Struts go on deck basically where we store the Spinnaker pole. Cloth folds up.
👍!!!
Great video, did you think about the toxins that may come off the waterproofing coating into the water system?
Yes
@@EmilyAndClark Apologies if that came across as off-ish. We're contemplating doing this ourselves, such a fantastic idea! Initially I was concerned about water collection from the sunbrella itself. I wanted to ask you if you were drinking this water but my follow up question would be being the geniuses you are did you come up with any solutions for using food safe materials?
@oshiokomilo coatings are now gone. Millions of gallons have flushed the awning over the years
@@EmilyAndClark cheers, thank you very much for your reply and really appreciate the video and you passing on the knowledge :)
how do you accommodate a topping lift or lazy jacks?
I clip my lazyjacks into the stack pack so I just remove them.
We have a boom gallows so same thing with the topping lift, just unclip it. If you don't have a gallows you would need to incorporate a closable slot for your topping lift or add a temporary strut to hold up your boom.
Or at least a hole for the topping lift if you can temporarily disconnect it while rigging the awning
@@EmilyAndClark thanks, really appreciate the tips :)
Where does your boom uphaul go?
I have a boom gallows so I remove it when I use the awning.
But that could be an issue for some boats.
Either a strut for the boom or a slot in the awning that you can fasteners to close up around the topping lift.
Have to solve that on a boat by boat case.
I found this by accident, but I watched the entire video because I find it very interesting. I have a small IP27. I can see building this for my boat! I wonder if wax would work as a good sealant? You wouldn't have to put on a lot. I'm just thinking about bees wax...might work well. Anyone have any thoughts?
I do.
I really like the Mary Kate product for commercialy available. Cheapish and works, easy. Look in the description and go to our Amazon store. It's one of the things listed there.
For DIY, I haven't tried it but this looks great. ua-cam.com/video/z_R0gEDZhAI/v-deo.html
Oh and hope you choose to subscribe and watch some of our other offerings.
@@EmilyAndClark I already subscribed and sent two videos out to people! You are producing some great stuff! Thank you.
Thanks for sharing.
I wonder if PVC pipe could be used instead of wood or aluminum
Good question. Here's the answer [27:39]
👍🧿
I didn't know I want or need a dragon wing awning, but I sure want to fabricate one now.
Thanks Samu
I'm kind of wary of these fabric treatments if you plan to collect rainwater using the fabric. It seems like the kind of application than might use the so-called "forever chemicals" or PFAS group of chemicals which are coming under increased scrutiny for potentially toxic effects. I certainly wouldn't want to drink the water, even using it for bathing gives me pause.
Since you collecting rainwater for drinking water from this … did you make sure those coatings are safe for consumption? They will ultimately run off.
I kinda wish I hadn't used that coating for that reason.
But we didn't collect water from this aening for the first 2 years after coating. We usually use the water maker. I assume all the badness that was going to leach out had already done so by now. So we are using it now since this bay isn't water maker friendly.
Honestly, so many people are terrified of DIY and terrified they will fail, they won't even try.
Yep
But I hope at least a few will make one. Or at least point their canvas guy to the video.
Emily, I'm curious as to what nationality you are because of your beautiful blond hair. My wife also has blond hair like yours. Also, are you both Canadians and if so, what part. I'm just south of Vancouver, BC in WA.
She is from Wisconsin of Norwegian ancestry. I'm from rural New York State.
Not Canada but cold!
@@EmilyAndClark My wife is also of Norwegian decent. I guess that's the last stronghold of the blonds. I thought you had said in a previous video that you were from Canada.
Nope. Right on the border though. I think I said I grew up on lake Ontario once. That could be taken both ways.
And viking hair is so nice
@@EmilyAndClark Viking hair is nice. I love running my fingers through my wife's hair and helping her braid it or at least trying to.
solar awning!
Wouldn't that be amazing!
This is great but my only issue is treating the fabric with a waterproof chemical and then drinking the water thats been collected from it
Yes I understand. We only collected water after 2 years of it being up.
While you where at the water collecting topic I eagerly waited for how the dragon gets rid of bird poop automatically.
It's a combination of rejecting the first water you collect and just getting over it and learn to drink what you get.
Ultraviolet light in the water tank for sterilization?
Sure some do it. I sometimes use iodine (no iodized salt out here and we don't eat seafood) or chlorine but some use a UVc bulb.
Some little nitrates can only be conductive to health.
@@antonditt1661 where I live it's hot and the city spikes the water with chlorine in order to kill pathogens creating super carcinogens in the process. It is also the herbicide and pesticide capital of the United States so if the rain storm forms to the West in the farming District and blows over to me I will not capture that rain. Ocean-born storms only.
the beard... it's gone!
I guess you have not been watching our videos... It's been two months :)
Maybe subscribe??
@@EmilyAndClark i have been bussy studying for my final exams here in Denmark så my boat dreams has been on hold for the last half a year, but it looks good on ya'
and i have been subscribed for about a year ;)
Thanks.
You're forgiven then :)
filling your fresh water tank from runoff better make sure theres no bird sh!t going down with it
Not going to kill you but it's nice to let the first of the rain bypass the tanks
You could just not sail in the tropics!
Yep. Or just not buy a boat in the first place.
@@EmilyAndClark Bit difficult to go sailing without a boat!
Too many sailors like you moaning about the heat or the humidity and mould in the tropics! Just sail somewhere else, simples!
Great post You two. A great Tool to add to my wish list while building my own dream Trimaran ✨️ 🌞🌴⛵️