New Canvas tips or suggestions

Wardy549

Member
Nov 12, 2014
109
Daytona Marina & Boat Works
Boat Info
1988 345 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin 454's
I am going to be purchasing a custom canvas enclosures for my 345. I was wandering if anyone had any suggestions or tips on anything I should ask for per special request.
Example: double stitch the whole thing, triple? 30 mil or 40mil?
This is my first full canvas re-do without oem specs so I want to make them custom as possible and super strong and durable.
Any pointers will be greatly appreciated...
Thank you in advance,
Bward
 
Bward, I'm not so sure I'd be trying to tell your canvas maker how to do his job as much as what you want your canvas to do for you.

I'm not sure how often you use your cockpit, but instead of a slant back canvas why not consider a bimini that gives shade to the entire cockpit so you can sit back there comfortably.

As far as an upper canvas, we just had one made and I used a material called Stamoid. It's a fabric with a rubberized finish that is much easier to hose off than Sunbrella and retains its color well.

For the upper windows, I like a lot of ventilation so I have smileys put into every front window and, to avoid having to roll them up I have them able to clip to the stainless support that's just aft of the front part of the bimini.

Any other questions? Fire away.
 
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Several suggestions. Specify stainless steel snaps instead of the cheap crap that pulls the stud part of the fitting out of the female part of the snap. I've gone 14 years without having to add a new snap due to hardware failure. Two, ask to see the webbing that the snaps go through and spec the thickest. The fabric with thick webbing does not fail at the snaps with this reinforcement. Three, specify a tough layer of abrasion resistant material that gives your canvas extra protection from wear at the points where your lines cross any of your canvas. I cross my lines in the slip at the transom. The aft curtain has lasted 14 years without needing repairs due to lines rubbing against the Sunbrella. A lot of canvas guys do not stock stainless snaps and will tell you their standard stuff is just as good. This is simply not true, and the best canvas shops use stainless. They also do not skimp on cheap webbing around the edges. Also ask to have all interior seams rolled and finished. Select a good fabric like Sunbrella and your canvas will hold up better than most with these extras.
 
Great advice so far. Require it to be sewn with teflon thread( Solarfix or Tenara).

Teflon thread has a lifetime warranty against failure.

Polyester thread is the achilles heel of your marine canvas and soon begins rotting and failing.

Also, look at lots of pics and/or examples of their work. It should look fantastic, not loose or sloppy. Low bid is not always the best. Lots of weekend warriors cranking out bad , leaky , ill fitting canvas.
 
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Bward, I'm not so sure I'd be trying to tell your canvas maker how to do his job as much as what you want your canvas to do for you.

I'm not sure how often you use your cockpit, but instead of a slant back canvas why not consider a bimini that gives shade to the entire cockpit so you can sit back there comfortably.

As far as an upper canvas, we just had one made and I used a material called Stamoid. It's a fabric with a rubberized finish that is much easier to hose off than Sunbrella and retains its color well.

For the upper windows, I like a lot of ventilation so I have smileys put into every front window and, to avoid having to roll them up I have them able to clip to the stainless support that's just aft of the front part of the bimini.

Any other questions? Fire away.
Thanks Go, no no I hope I didn’t sound like that did I? I dont want to tell them how to do their job thats for sure, etc I was just thinking that since I was having them made, since there is no way of getting the OEM’s for my vessel. I thought maybe there are possibly better ideas or designs, pattern or anything to make them tougher or last longer.
Thank you for the tip I will look into it. Yes we are just using that now for shade, we are planning a bimini for the cockpit for sure. What is your opinion on white canvas vs light gray? I sure do not want to sound like Im trying to do anyone’s job reguardless the subject..:(
Question, Go do you or do you know of anyone that has had a bug screen added to their smile areas? I am thinking It is going to be necessary especially here in Floridas “Mosquito Lagoon” ;))
Thank You!
 
View attachment 62241 Several suggestions. Specify stainless steel snaps instead of the cheap crap that pulls the stud part of the fitting out of the female part of the snap. I've gone 14 years without having to add a new snap due to hardware failure. Two, ask to see the webbing that the snaps go through and spec the thickest. The fabric with thick webbing does not fail at the snaps with this reinforcement. Three, specify a tough layer of abrasion resistant material that gives your canvas extra protection from wear at the points where your lines cross any of your canvas. I cross my lines in the slip at the transom. The aft curtain has lasted 14 years without needing repairs due to lines rubbing against the Sunbrella. A lot of canvas guys do not stock stainless snaps and will tell you their standard stuff is just as good. This is simply not true, and the best canvas shops use stainless. They also do not skimp on cheap webbing around the edges. Also ask to have all interior seams rolled and finished. Select a good fabric like Sunbrella and your canvas will hold up better than most with these extras.
Thank You very much! Leaving this post was a great idea!! ✌️
 
Wardy, I probably misread your intent with your first post and the questions you posted. Sorry about that. Also, it's GFC or Mike, not Go. Easy mistake to make and you're not the first one to do that. No biggee.

White vs Lt. Gray? In our area I like white, as you can tell by looking at my canvas. We're in a VERY hot area and I'll take any color that reflects the sunlight and heat. We're also in a dusty, desert area and that's why I like the Stamoid. It cleans up easily. If I were in an area like yours I might go with the Sunbrella because it breathes better. Stamoid just does not breathe.

As far as bug screens, if you're in an area where bugs are a PITA I'd definitely go with screens. Ask the canvas makers if you can have some made to fit the smilies or maybe ones that fit across the whole front and snap onto the outside of the front window panels. That way you could have one panel for the whole front.

Of course that doesn't help if you have lots of other places where bugs can get in. I had a whole set of bug screens made for the cockpit of a 330 Sundancer and loved them. They do stifle the breeze a bit but they do keep the bugs out.

When I had my first set of custom canvas made I sat down with the guy who was doing it and asked his opinion on what he would do. Most of what he suggested I went along with. I had a couple of small suggestions that we incorporated but mostly I just stuck with his suggestions.
 
IMG_2098.JPG
While we like Sunbrella and it works well for our climate, it is susceptible to abrasions from lines rubbing across it. Our aft curtain has a 12" by 13 foot strip of Stamoid that is sewn on top of the Sunbrella where the lines sometimes rub. Our curtain, at 14 years, is nearing the end of its life from a cosmetic perspective. I'm going to have a new one made this winter that exactly matches the current one. I plan on using the old curtain during the pollen season and install the new one when all the junk is done falling off the trees.
 
Great advice so far. Require it to be sewn with teflon thread( Solarfix or Tenara).

Teflon thread has a lifetime warranty against failure.

Polyester thread is the achilles heel of your marine canvas and soon begins rotting and failing.

Also, look at lots of pics and/or examples of their work. It should look fantastic, not loose or sloppy. Low bid is not always the best. Lots of weekend warriors cranking out bad , leaky , ill fitting canvas.

Yes, I am definitely going to check it out. They have one strike so far. No web exposure. No website etc. maybe not to anyone else but for me a website is a plus when wanting to possibly use your company for a project.
Wardy, I probably misread your intent with your first post and the questions you posted. Sorry about that. Also, it's GFC or Mike, not Go. Easy mistake to make and you're not the first one to do that. No biggee.

White vs Lt. Gray? In our area I like white, as you can tell by looking at my canvas. We're in a VERY hot area and I'll take any color that reflects the sunlight and heat. We're also in a dusty, desert area and that's why I like the Stamoid. It cleans up easily. If I were in an area like yours I might go with the Sunbrella because it breathes better. Stamoid just does not breathe.

As far as bug screens, if you're in an area where bugs are a PITA I'd definitely go with screens. Ask the canvas makers if you can have some made to fit the smilies or maybe ones that fit across the whole front and snap onto the outside of the front window panels. That way you could have one panel for the whole front.

Of course that doesn't help if you have lots of other places where bugs can get in. I had a whole set of bug screens made for the cockpit of a 330 Sundancer and loved them. They do stifle the breeze a bit but they do keep the bugs out.

When I had my first set of custom canvas made I sat down with the guy who was doing it and asked his opinion on what he would do. Most of what he suggested I went along with. I had a couple of small suggestions that we incorporated but mostly I just stuck with his suggestions.
Thanks Mike I appreciate the pointers. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
 
I custom made all new canvas for my 87 340 sundancer myself. I raised the bimini up and forward so that i could stand at the helm. used sunbrella canvas and at the time good V92 thread. I had over 300 hrs of work put into it. each panel was custom made. Did it through the winter last year. I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of boats both online and in person to see what and how theirs was done. did i make some mistakes. Yes. but was able to fix before splash. Really makes
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for a nice open area for relaxing. everybody called it the fishbowl. as i used lots of glass. Im going to put in smilies this winter to open it up more. and change a few things.
 
I custom made all new canvas for my 87 340 sundancer myself. I raised the bimini up and forward so that i could stand at the helm. used sunbrella canvas and at the time good V92 thread. I had over 300 hrs of work put into it. each panel was custom made. Did it through the winter last year. I did a lot of research and looked at a lot of boats both online and in person to see what and how theirs was done. did i make some mistakes. Yes. but was able to fix before splash. Really makesView attachment 62271 View attachment 62272 for a nice open area for relaxing. everybody called it the fishbowl. as i used lots of glass. Im going to put in smilies this winter to open it up more. and change a few things.
That looks great KWB, what mil glass did you use? Ive been looking at a lot of boats and Ive decided to go with white so I have to change my bimini and front window shade. They are blue now. Sooo, it will be to much work for me. Im doing a newer version layout instead of the original 88 style so Im going to let a professional do it.
 
i went with the 30mil Crystalclear.
 

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Thanks. Could not stand to sit at the helm all the time. Way to cramped for such a big boat.
 

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