Canvas replacement - custom

[AMFM3]

Hey gang...

We needed to replace our canvas on our 95 370 DA as it had original when we purchased the boat this spring. It was pretty leaky and that didn't help the cause with the Admiral! After all, new cockpit carpets are supposed to last a while and they were getting soaked through the rain in June.

Here's where we started.

First we replaced the front piece along with new Eisenglass. The trick here was that Doug needed to line up the new zippers properly so that the custom screen pieces he made for the boat previously would still fit. He nailed it first time and now I can actually see through the new window pieces.

I read a whole lot about camper vs extending the rear roof piece here on CSR. I talked with my canvas guy about it and we went through a whole bunch of scenarios. Ultimately, we decided to do the camper on the back so that we can be on the boat more early in the season as well as extend it.

This being said, we did the roof in two pieces using the old framing for the rear piece off the radar arch. Then the camper roof extends to the new framing on the rear. While there is the "station wagon" effect, we really don't mind as our two other boats had this set up and we're used to it.

Here's Doug laying out the rear roof piece.

I was away on business for a few days and returned to the new camper roof installed.

Here's the finished product with the Eisnglass rolled up and screens open.

And all closed up.

A couple from inside.

Next Doug is repurposing our screen curtains into side and rear all screen snap in units. This is the screening on prior to the new canvas.

All in all we're pretty happy with this and thrilled to be able to boat longer into the fall. I know many don't like the camper look, but it works for us here. Plus we can remove the camper and have the original configuration.

Now I just have to write the final check! All in, the whole package including the new rear screen pieces was 6K taxes in.

Mark

 

[Bucit]

I have the camper top also and really like it. With all canvas up you still have the entire cockpit space compared to the slant back where a portion becomes unusable. The rear bimini gives additional shade in our hot summers too. Your boat looks great.

 

[AMFM3]

Bucit...thanks, I appreciate it!

We had two months of very hot weather even for the Okanagan. We haven't had any appreciable rain since July 1st. As a matter of fact, when the clouds have moved in, it has been late in the day only to have an hotter day the next day. I think we'll appreciate the shade as much as the added living space.

Mark

 

[mrclark321]

Looks great Mark, we really appreciate the camper as well, may not look as nice but functionally it's better for us......I know you will really enjoy it!

Dan

 

[Bugsy24]

Mark, that's a great look and well thought out!! I've been playing with the Idea to do the same on my 310. I love the way he incorporated your rear arch cover to accept the new Camper section!! My problem is Storage of the Canvas while underway!! The additional pieces are an Additional PITA!!

 

[Loneranger]

Great pics. Boat looks good. We like our camper top also. It seems the slant back robs you of use of a lot of the cockpit. Form follows function.

John

 

[AMFM3]

Mark, that's a great look and well thought out!! I've been playing with the Idea to do the same on my 310. I love the way he incorporated your rear arch cover to accept the new Camper section!! My problem is Storage of the Canvas while underway!! The additional pieces are an Additional PITA!!

Thanks Marshall.

We were fortunate in that the PO had cloth "bags" made to store pieces in. I roll the new stuff up with old towels between to minimize scratches. Then they go in the bags and I store them in one of the hanging lockers in the forward stateroom. If I'm only going for the day, then I put them in my dockbox. It works out ok.

Mark

 

[MarkNewbie]

Looks great on there. I have the camper too just a little different set up on the rear...No poles in the way. We use it a lot in the spring and fall for sure.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Mark, that sure does look nice. You and J will really appreciate that extended camper canvas top when the rain starts to fall. It really does extend the season for you.

 

[Pack66Dad]

Looks great!

 

[Quint4]

Very nice work. The camper style makes total sense and is what I had on my 290DA.

 

[Molson]

That looks great. We want to re-do ours next season,for some reason Doral thought it best for the tops to go under the arch, losing 6" of head room in the process. Next one will go TO to the arch. And a TON of screens, never enough when its 30+ degrees and humid.

 

[AMFM3]

That looks great. We want to re-do ours next season,for some reason Doral thought it best for the tops to go under the arch, losing 6" of head room in the process. Next one will go TO to the arch. And a TON of screens, never enough when its 30+ degrees and humid.

Ya those late 80's boats ALL had the under the arch canvas. I seem to recall that the Dorals even put Eisneglass ports in the roof to allow the light to shine through from the lights on the radar arch. My buddy John's Monticello had that and really it was pretty ineffective! Perhaps Sea Track hadn't been perfected yet back then to attach to the arch...who knows.

Hope you're enjoying that new boat and the humidity back in Ontario Molson!

Mark

 

[JediJD]

Nice write up and nice results.

 

[Molson]

I love the heat Mark! It does have the ports for the lights, I can barely see through them in the day light. (And my arch lights are currently burnt out, lol)

Lovin the new boat! Wish we had more of a season, but I'll use all of the next 6 weeks i can.

Jim

 

[AMFM3]

Lovin the new boat! Wish we had more of a season, but I'll use all of the next 6 weeks i can.


Jim...ya it's about 6 weeks for me too and then I'm done. The work travel schedule kicks in end of September and then in October there's weekends at the end of the month where I'm travelling just to get home. We'll take full advantage of the weekends left. It really isn't alot different from Ontario boating out here in the Interior of BC.

 

[alwhite00]

Looks great, I like the full camper better as you can still use the whole boat - Your canvas guy really looks like he knows what he is doing.

LK

 

[whiteover]

Your top looks great. I'm looking to have a similar top made for my 32 (without poles in the aft). Do you have any other photos that show how the structure is fastened to the Arch? I'd like to share with my Canvas Guy> Thanks

 

[IanBat]

Looks really good.

We have a 94 so the arch goes the other way. The PO's had redone the covers to camper style, and lifted the front section with about 3' of clears above the windscreen, I am 6' and can comfortably stand at the helm and drive without touching the canvas .

We use the rear sides more to keep the sun out than the cold


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[AMFM3]

Your top looks great. I'm looking to have a similar top made for my 32 (without poles in the aft). Do you have any other photos that show how the structure is fastened to the Arch? I'd like to share with my Canvas Guy> Thanks

Here's couple that might help.




Let me know if you need anything else...or more specific. I have a ton of pics as I was able to be there for a lot of the install.

Mark