Replacing canvas

[POINTER94]

I have a cruisers 3375 and got a camper top from the same make model year boat that sank with a mooring cover. Used once and I believe it, the top is beautiful. This top connects to the arch and my existing top runs under it so I will need a new set of supports to install the new canvas. It has been suggested by an installer that it might be cheaper to make new canvas than fit new supports??? This seems silly to me.

The boat is 11' 8" wide. Ballpark price to fit to fit poles would be what? Is there somewhere to buy the poles even if I have to bend them myself?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Replacing canvas

I would go "local" and see if a metal supplier can find you the aluminum or stainless steel tubing to make the poles. The stuff is not cheap and you would have to make a jig to make the bends. (The best jigs I have seen have been made from thick sheets of plastic)

I would visit or call a shop that does awnings in your local area. I bet since they have the equipment and jigs that they can do it better and faster then you can. It would save you the time and pain of having to make some tooling. The supports should run through loops added in the fabric as needed too. So, metal fabrication, bending and attachment and sewing are in the future.

I have a friend here who owns an awning business and that is how he got started in boat covers. He made some cover repairs and modifications for boats and it took off from there. He now owns the largest boat cover/boat interior business around.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Replacing canvas

Oh BTW you can google stainless steel tubing or aluminum tubing but.......the shipping will HURT because of the length of the tubes.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Replacing canvas

Good advise, thanks Bob.