Have you built a canvas camper top??

[ryan04]

Hey boys, quick question here. Has anybody ever tried building a canvas camper top for your boat? I just got a 20' reinell in beautiful shape, but it has no top of any kind with it. I restored boats before and even completed some interior vinyl replacement and sewing. Where does one start with this sort of thing?? Do you guys know where to get canvas?? Thanks

 

[sprintst]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

Campers Village has a buidling connected to it that makes tent and awning stuff. I'll see if I can get a name of the company for you.

I still have my old ratty top as a guide to use to rebuild one but I think I'll farm that one out. Hopefully they can use my old top as a template to make short work of it to keep the costs down.

It sure would be nice to be able to get out of the sun and/or to fish in the rain

I'll keep my eyes peeled for some pics of tops for your boat.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

i built the one on my 14' aluminum from scratch, but it was pretty basic....
I'll be making one for my Sea Ray later on down the line, along with making a full camper enclosure for it also...you can see a little bit of the one for the 14' in one of my threads below

 

[Expidia]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

I'd start with buying an inexpensive bimini online with at least 3 bows. That's what I did. Then I went to a canvas shop to have them make up some front and side windows.

They sewed zippers in the back ends of the bimini and windows in case I wanted to extend out a camper top or add a storm curtain later on. Mine came to about $900 with all Sunbrella fabric.
You could make sides with mostly fabric where I have all windows and cut in what ever size windows you want. Sew zippers onto all back edges.

So if you were doing it yourself if you start with a store bought bimini with a cheaper fabric the support bows are pretty much all the same aluminum poles unless you are in salt water and then you need to use stainless which costs 3 times as much.


But if you start with the bimini you will be half way done for around $250. Pick an off color and get it even cheaper on sale. Or buy a used one off ebay or craigslist.

Then for the camper part just add the back part of fabric and the sides with a few plastic windows sewn in and the support poles. You will need to use a special sewing machine to punch through the canvas and use some type of marine thread that does not break down when exposed to sunlight.

I only have a foot or two exposed at the back now where I fish off of. And I used a standard bimini to start with.

The grey thing in the window is a hanging enclosure that I clip on for a changing room or when using the porta potty when other boats are around. I paid $60 on iboats ready made up. But it's just a piece of canvas with a zipper and four grommets at the top.
Wifey loves that accessory.

 

[dan the tuna]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

I'd start with buying an inexpensive bimini online with at least 3 bows. That's what I did. Then I went to a canvas shop to have them make up some front and side windows.

They sewed zippers in the back ends of the bimini and windows in case I wanted to extend out a camper top or add a storm curtain later on. Mine came to about $900 with all Sunbrella fabric.
You could make sides with mostly fabric where I have all windows and cut in what ever size windows you want. Sew zippers onto all back edges.

So if you were doing it yourself if you start with a store bought bimini with a cheaper fabric the support bows are pretty much all the same aluminum poles unless you are in salt water and then you need to use stainless which costs 3 times as much.


But if you start with the bimini you will be half way done for around $250. Pick an off color and get it even cheaper on sale. Or buy a used one off ebay or craigslist.

Then for the camper part just add the back part of fabric and the sides with a few plastic windows sewn in and the support poles. You will need to use a special sewing machine to punch through the canvas and use some type of marine thread that does not break down when exposed to sunlight.

I only have a foot or two exposed at the back now where I fish off of. And I used a standard bimini to start with.

The grey thing in the window is a hanging enclosure that I clip on for a changing room or when using the porta potty when other boats are around. I paid $60 on iboats ready made up. But it's just a piece of canvas with a zipper and four grommets at the top.
Wifey loves that accessory.

How does your boat top/camper top/bimini handle while underway? I'm asking becaus i plan to do something similar. I am concerned with the large frontal area caused by the front windows.

Depending on how fast your boat goes you might not be too concerned with it. Top speed for me is about 45 mph. Towing speeds for me however are freeway speed around 70 mph.... which rules out leaving the top up for towing...

 

[drewpster]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

This Bimini encloser idea is a great one. I plan to do the same thing one of these days. Good thinking.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Have you built a canvas camper top??

I have done two total. Both mine had tops already. I used a fabric from ebay sippers and clear vinyl. Stainless snaps were also bought from ebay. Use a quality thread intended for this purpose. Regular thread will rot fast.