Canvas Work

Replacing the Canvas...all of it

Work in progress.....disclaimer...I know that a marine canvas shop could do a much more professional looking job, with better looking seams and much tighter bimini top and possibly with less material...however,... I think my bimini and sail cover turned out very nice and I especially like that $1000 still in my pocket. Additional savings also with the other covers that were developed during this same project. I do appreciate my local canvas shops with their advice and puzzled looks when I asked them some of my stupid questions.

Replacing the Bimini

Starting in Dec 2007. The old bimini (white) was still able to be used as a pattern (somewhat!). The new one (Navy/Dark Blue Sunbrella) was cut out per the old Bimini and stretched over the frame. The frame had to be adjusted to level out all the supports so it folded forward evenly. I cut out patterns for the end sleeves before cutting the Sunbrella. I choose to insert zippers in the sleeves. Makes taking the canvas off much easier. The old Bimini only had pockets and every time I wanted to remove the frame I had to disassemble the fitting.

Each pocket (2 per end and one in the middle) was cut in half and the zipper secured. I cut off the end of the zippers and dressed the end with a loop of sundbrella. Next the pockets and visors needed to dressed and stapled on the ends of the bimini. I matched the curve of the ends and stapled the pocket, visor and bimini top (in that order).

Once the ends attached, they were folded over to the bottom side ready for the pickets to be secured in place. The sewing machine was a bit small for this folds of sunbrella but it worked out ok. Just takes time.

For this next step I refitted the bimini on the frame. Pictures below show the fitting with the pockets pinned in place. This took some time to stretch and pin the top so it was fitted correctly.

So back to the sewing machine where the final stitch was done to secure the pocket to the bimini. I did not sew the center pocket. I just wanted to installed the frame on the boat before I did this center pocket.

So what's next, install the bimini on the boat for a fit check, measure sew the hold down straps and finish off the mounting adjustments.

I mounted the frame on the boat and installed the bimini. It fit very good. Needed to adjust the straps so that the tension was correct but over all I was well pleased with the outcome. I pulled the center support bar back and supported with a bungee cord. I next marked the underside of the bimini where the center pocket needed to be attached.

The center pocket was attached, all stray threads were cut off and a lighter was used to seal the thread ends. The new bimini was refitted and pulled tight.

Thread - I started out using Dabond 2000, UVR Polyester Thread, V-92, Shade 144, Navigator Blue and then switched to Polyester NU Bond H UVR Nonwick 92, Navy 4646 Astrup Co. The Sunbrella was Dark Blue / Navy #4626.

Main Sail Cover

On a great January day in 2008 I stated the Main Sail Cover project. The old sail cover was still functional to be used as a pattern, picture 1 & 2. I needed to greatly increase the width but the length was ok. I doubled the Sunbrella canvas and laid out the old sail cover to have a look at the proportions. After looking over my measurements of the existing main sail on the boom, I decided to add 3" to each side giving an increase of 6" total to the cover on all sides. Allowing for a 2" seam on the bottom half (2" on each side) and a 1" seam at the top I extended the cut out to 8" at the bottom (2" + 2" + 1 + 3"). Just be safe I added 3" just to the top before cutting the canvas.

I cut the new cover out as show in picture 3, 4, 5. From the unused cut piece of Sunbrella, I used it for the top half. See pictures 6 & 7. After marking and cutting out the complete outer edges of the sail cover I pinned the top, picture 8.

Next up at the boat I did a fit check. With the top still pinned, I draped it over the sail on the boom. I went around and pinned where the actual underside needed to connect.

The first fitting went well. A real challenge will the the mast cover end. Don't know what I will do about the halyards. Would like to cover them also but that pulls the over out too far.

I next laid out the cover and connected the lines under the boom for the bottom seam. I changed direction and just made this the straight line. This is the way the old cover was. Had to use some coconuts to hold down the cover in the wind.

The second fitting showed that the straight line seam was just too large an area for the cover. To much at the bow end of the boom. Changed direction and remarked where the seam will go in yellow. Up to the boat for a fitting. To make a long story short - hem on the bottom, front zipper, front leather cut-outs, bottom edge turn lock fasteners, eye hole at the stern and up to the boat for a final fitting.

Hand Rail Covers & Cockpit Side Covers

Simple cover was made for each of the four deck hand rails. After seaming the edges each was placed on the hand rail and the snap location was marked. Use only SS snaps. The cockpit compartments were covered in much the same way. The handrail covers were not specific to port or starboard. Could be used on either side. Just had to make sure the snaps were placed correctly.

Below Sandy (Golden Retriever) watches over the grommet installation for the grill cover. You need a hard surface to install the snaps. Anywhere on the boat just didn't work.

Flag Pole, OB Motor & Grill Covers

As long as I had the fabric I covered the flag pole, the OB motor and the grill. Draw strings and grommets were installed to secure the bottom on each. Actually on the flag pole. it just had an open end.

Wheel & Compass Cover

I started work on the wheel cover. First fitting and marked the wheel, height and width. Inserted the zipper and then pinned the sides and top. Several fitting and one or two pins down the drain hole and I had a tight cover.