Hi again guys.. yup..Blootac is correct..keep the tarp over the outside edge of the boat. If the boat nose dives into a wave.. water can still come under the gap..but its a lot less than if you didn’t have one. Spray is all deflected and runs back into the sea.
Each SIB is a challenge on how to fix it.. here is how the seago pole is held in place. I carefully drilled a hole into the existing fitting that the side ropes were attached too. The rod fits in it. I use a thinner rod..only 5mm diameter..and because everything is under tension..the end has never once come out..even when the nose is under a large wave.
I also used the existing D rings to tie the cover on..and they work a treat too. It makes a big difference to the seago..and it can go out in bigger waves than without the cover..without filling with water.
Kaman..if you can hold off a week or two..I will give you some lengths of pole at the SIB outing. Hope that helps inspire a few variations. I didnt want anything solid either..if a huge breaker hits mine..it will just collapse..then spring back up when the weight of water is off. Something solid like a shower guard ..may shatter or cause damage.