400 Sundancer Canvas

RaySea Girl 2

RaySea Girl 2

New Member
Mar 6, 2011
25
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
1997 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 7.4L Gas
I'm sure others have inquired about this before, but can anyone lead me in the right direction on a complete replacement canvas for my 97 400 DA? I have the original tan and was looking to go to a black top.
I've checked a number of on-line sites but none list the 400 as an available model.
Thanks,
Ray
 
When I owned the same model two years ago I was never able to find a supplier, I ended up having it custom made in Spain.

I seem to recall that 400 canvas was made in house, and there are no separate suppliers that hold the patterns.

Graham
 
I'm pretty sure you have to have a custom job done. I'm having mine done next week here in Michigan. I can send you the contact info if you'd like.
 
THJeff said:
I'm pretty sure you have to have a custom job done. I'm having mine done next week here in Michigan. I can send you the contact info if you'd like.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that would be great. It would seem that someone would make a pattern after doing so many of these - there are a few 400 DA's out there for sure:)

Ray
 
When I had mine done, I assumed there were patterns, but I wouldn't have used them anyway. A skilled pro will make sure everything fits to YOUR boat, and will make suggestions for improvements.
 
We ordered factory pieces years ago. They went on pretty good. Trouble was putting all the snaps in. We had a custom top made by the local canvas guy and it came out very nice. Just have to make sure they use Sunbrella fabric and quality plastic for the windows. I too like black canvas but would hate the bird stains, webs and cotton wood making it look bad.
Anyone with dark canvas have input to the temperature radiating inot the cockpit? Reason I wonder is over the weekend we had some hot weather and the cockpit throw rugs which are similar color to SR tan became almost too hot to stand on! Figure a black top would really get cooking!
 
I had custom black canvas installed on our 370DA up here in Northern Michigan. It is definately a bit warmer that the oem Toast color canvas but really not that bad. We have our share of hot days but on cooler days the canvas warms the cockpit nicely, plus its hard to beat the look of black, imo.
 
RollerCoastr said:
When I had mine done, I assumed there were patterns, but I wouldn't have used them anyway. A skilled pro will make sure everything fits to YOUR boat, and will make suggestions for improvements.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. Here is my canvas guy who comes very highly recommended:

Dennis Miller
Miller's Custom Boat Top Inc.
41700 Conger Bay Drive
Harrison Twp, MI 48045-1432
(586) 468-5533
dmillertopman@gmail.com
 
Rollercoastr....Do you have pics? and list of changes that you felt were big improvements...looking for ideas, as mine is due soon
Thanks, Tom
 
I guess I should've said that the changes themselves were subtle, but combined, they were a big improvement.

He suggested a vertical zipper between the front-side eisin panels and the side panels. The OEM design followed the stainless support, which made sense to me, so I fought him on it. I'm glad he won. The vertical zipper keeps the panels tighter/smoother, makes them easier to store (simpler shape) and the zipper itself doesn't leak.

thruisin.jpg


The zippers between the 3 front panels extend about 2" beyond the panels themselves, so no wrestling is necessary at the intersections. Just zip along the tops, and there's plenty of slack to join them.

He drilled into the bimini supports to add extra snaps. He also added snaps between the deck and the aft-bottom edge of the arch.

The zippers on the aft curtain are high enough to allow the transom door to open.

The trailing edge of the arch is also his own design, but now I don't remember how SR did it. I have velcro all along the outside edges, and there's an extra "tongue" or "wing" at the top corner of the curtain to allow for easy attachment of the zipper. Much better than it was, and again, it doesn't leak.
 
I got rid of my rear window so it folds up easy...it now fits in a duffle bag and stashed in the side storage closet by the icemaker. I made a door panel above the rear door (so the panel had door opening and side piece). The rear pulls off in three pieces, fold up into bag and done. Other option is camper canvas if you need the room.
 
RollerCoastr said:
...plus the in-between "hybrid": extending the aft canopy about halfway out. I don't want a full camper, but a little extra room and shade would be nice.
Click to expand...

The "hybrid" camper is what Dennis is doing for me next week. I didn't want to mess with the lines of the boat but wanted some extra room so it's a perfect balance.
 
I'd like to hear/see how it comes out.


I saw an interesting design this winter. A hard-top 460DA had a cantilevered top - so it extends from the edge of the hard-top all the way to the transom, without any vertical supports! It looked really cool, but it also looked to be defying gravity, so I wonder if it will make it through the season without retro-fitted supports.
 
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