Not DS related, so I'll put this question here and hope it's ok. I know you folks have other boats and might be able to help. I fabricated a sailing kit for my canoe last year. The first picture is before its first sail - I made a few tweaks since then (finalizing the tiller connections in particular, and some changes to the sail control line rigging). The second pic is on the water. You might make out from the first pic that the daggerboard is just a board with rounded edges I got from another project. I've upgraded to a really nicely foiled ash board, shown in the last pic. I want to buy or build a protective bag for the blade, especially since the tip and trailing edge of the blade are about 1/4" thick. A Sunfish daggerboard bag might work, but might be longer than I need. Homemade may be better fitting and probably cheaper. I can sew. What I don't know or have is a blade bag to handle and look at. What's the padding used - closed cell foam sheet? If the padding isn't closed cell foam, what is it? Is it sandwiched between layers of sunbrella fabric or cordura or something else, and are 2 of those essentially sewn together? I'm looking for ideas or anyone who has a blade bag who could give me that info. The dimensions of my daggerboard are 42" long, about 8" wide, and 7/8" thick at the widest. I'm anticipating extra padding for the end and sides of the tip, and to drop the blade in from the other narrow end, with a fold over end and velcro and possibly a strap to hold it closed - similar to a waterfowl gun case. If anyone has info on how blade bags are constructed, I'd appreciate it. I wish I could get my hands on one, but that's just not possible where I am.
I'm excited to try the new blade - the old one vibrated with some speed, and I'm confident this one won't. I could keep up with a slower Sunfish in moderate wind last year, so I'm hopeful to be a bit faster and definitely able to point better. FYI my Sunfish is in the background next to my canoe in the first pic. Plus my DS II. Plus 17' and 14' fishing boats. My best friend has referred to me as Admiral given my collection...
EDIT - unfortunately the rudder is cut off from the original first pic - its a hobbie blade and homemade rudder head.