Camper Canvas

[Gone Overboard]

Hi All!
We just got a new 32' sundancer. We want to get a camper canvas made but our marina only allows certain vendors and the cost to us is exponentially high! Do you know if it's possible to get one made while the boat is in the water? Thinking of taking it off sight to get one made. Insights appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Quint4]

Yes, can be done while boat is in the water at another dock or marina.

 

[techmitch]

Hopefully @KevinC or @Quint4 will chime in. Both have been a great help to many CSR members. https://www.covemarine.com/ & https://thecanvasmedic.com/

 

[Gone Overboard]

Thank you for the replies! Will check both out

 

[The Bill Collector]

Hi All!
We just got a new 32' sundancer. We want to get a camper canvas made but our marina only allows certain vendors and the cost to us is exponentially high! Do you know if it's possible to get one made while the boat is in the water? Thinking of taking it off sight to get one made. Insights appreciated. Thanks!

You can have a guest on board for measurements, all of the work is done at the shop of the canvas guy. For final fit, finish, and attachment, all can be done at a guest dock somewhere or if it's like my marina on Sunday when no one is there.

 

[AllTideUp]

The Marina probably only allows certain vendors for a couple reasons, some companies don't have insurance which most marinas require, the canvas shop may also be provide the marina a kickback for the job.

Canvas can certainly be measured and installed while the vessel is in the water. If they (the marina) doesnt' want to allow any work (measurement, etc) at the dock then just have the canvas guy you want to use meet you at the boat, untie and float just off of the marina.

If the marina has other rules like that you might be able to petition (with enough marina member involvement) to open up allowed outside contractors to work there. We had to do that at the marina my vessel is at cause I'd guess that it's more that the marina is getting a kickback than the insurance thing.

 

[Gone Overboard]

Yes. I am positive they are getting a huge kickback. The vendor they used to allow was reasonable but is now retired. :-(
The one I was able to get in 2 years ago had to fork over well over $1000 to the owner and provide insurance. None of the others I contacted would even think about working there.

Bill Collector, very nice of you to offer up your marina. We are on the east coast so I don't think that will work but again...very kind of you to offer

 

[Gofirstclass]

No info on how to get your camper canvas done but one suggestion on the design. We had canvas built for a 330DA and also for our 550DB.

On both of them we had the builder extend the aft end of the canvas by about 8" beyond the top of the transom. That way, the aft curtain was sloped inward from the top so we didn't have rain dripping down the face of the curtain.

 

[Gone Overboard]

Go First Class, thank you for the tip! Great idea!

 

[Blueone]

Talk to the canvas guy you are trying to use....Its common in my area to not allow outside contractors on the marina property and they all know each other so its not like you can sneak in and take measurements...My canvas guy has a slip at another marina....you just take it over there for the week and he gets the job done..... I have told this to my marina owner and he couldn't give a shit.....to me its ridiculous and I tell him that.....I have even offered to pay him his commission to let my guy in and again he doesn't care what I think.... so I move the boat....owner loses and Im pissed off....great business model

 

[Gone Overboard]

Blueone, I like that idea! I will definitely look into it!