Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

[baconbiscut]

A while back we got a new bimini top for our boat. Well our old one was custom made and it had an inclosure around it with the plastic windows that you could zip on and run in the rain. I was wondering if i could do a do it yourslef job and put a zipper on the bimini top myself or do i have to take it to a profesional. Any advice or tips would be great.

Thanks, Dan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

no, it is not a do it your self job. this guy does beautiful work, and is extremely reasonable. he is on the westside, near SanJuan and Blanding. he has redone Hobie zippers for me, and several zippers on bimini's. His name is Tom.
http://www.winddancersailmakers.com/ he has probably done a lot of work for Rudder Club members.

also the Bowswains Locker on Lakeside Blvd. Behind Roosevelt Mall, under the bridge.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

Sure if you have sewing machine heavy duty enough to penetrate the 2 layers of canvas plus the zipper.
I tried but never got the hang of running a singer always ended up with a rats nest above the bobbin and throw that mutha far as I could.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

Yes and no, this I have actually done, I started with a bimini top and made it a custom camper top, 4 sides, windows all around and 2 zipper doors, the sides roll up and it folds back like a bimini for hauling then when you get on the water you can put down as many sides as you need, alot of times I only use 2 sides to block wind or you can zip all 4 corners for the really foul stuff.

You will need a sewing machine, I used my wifes little Brother machine, a bunch of pins, a heavy zipper and a giant load of patience, I used upholstery thread and a heavy needle, get a bunch of those too.

Pin the new zipper in and sew it, you will have to pin it on the boat as it is used then take it off to sew and the pinning part is pretty hard.

I had never sewed in my life and got it done, whether you want to mess with it or not I don't know, maybe look into what a local shop would charge and make up your mind then.

I got my zipper on Ebay, go as heavy as you can find, don't remember the store I got it from.

Here is some pics of it finished.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

Oh man... I read that wrong. I thought it said BIKINI top! I was expecting to see some GREAT pix!

Anyway, to answer the question, I'd say take it to a professional. The best seamstress I ever knew was my dad, who was an upholsterer. And even with his professional grade equipment, it was no small task sewing heavy fabric like that. Yes, he sewed his finger to the machine a couple of times in his career. LMAO!

If you take the assembly to a local upholsterer and just walk in, he might do it for you right there on the spot for a couple bucks. Worth a shot.

-BWR

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Sewing a Zipper to a bimini top

My local upholstery shop charged me 7.00 per ft and that included the zipper and it was a nice heavyduty nylon zipper at that.