Side Curtain Rejuvenation?

[Chinewalker]

I have side curtains that came with my 18-foot Starcraft. They are the clear vinyl type that snap into place. Overall they are very clear and in decent shape - no stains or tears, BUT they have gotten very tight! They had not been on the boat for several years, while I was restoring it, and seem to have shrunk a bit. By the time I get all the snaps done, working from bow to stern, the stern end on both sides is an absolute bear to snap. Anyone know of a way to soften them up and stretch them out a bit? I don't need much, just an inch or so. As it is, I am the only one who can put the sides on, as neither my wife, nor 12-year old have the hand/arm strength to snap them - they're that tight.

Thanks!

- Scott

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Side Curtain Rejuvenation?

Spread them out and lay'em in the sun. Then when they are good and hot install them and let'em rest mounted. Vynil stretches quite a bit with temperature, and will retain some memory.

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Side Curtain Rejuvenation?

Just had this same problem on our bayliner 2855. If it's not sunny (alot of the time up here in WA ) Hang the panels from the top of your canvas (zipper or snap)...snap what you can and warm the rest of it up with a hair dryer....and snap the rest of them....works great.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Side Curtain Rejuvenation?

Thanks. That's what I've done in the past, and after tweaking my thumb trying to grip the end and getting them to attach a couple days ago (sunny and temps up into the 80s all day) I thought they might stretch out a bit. I took them off yesterday to go for a ride and when I went to put them back on for the night they were still tight. Maybe I'll see if I can come up with some sort of medievel-inspired rack/torture device to stretch them out, with the aid of a hairdryer (wife won't mind, I'm sure...)

- Scott

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Side Curtain Rejuvenation?

Leave them mounted in the cool of the night. They'll OK since they can't shrink while stretched, but will want to. Watch using a hair dryer, you don't want opaque windows.....
In the winter do not store them in freezing temp or you'll have the same problem next year.