Customized canvas

4Schrecks

4Schrecks

Member
Apr 9, 2008
39
Sturgeon Bay WI
Boat Info
2005 420 Sundancer
Engines
8.3 Cummins
Always hated the canvas that came from the factory on our 420 Sundancer. For one, the color (tan) was not attractive, and most importantly, when installed at night, full grown adults couldn't sit on the back seat without slouching. So, since it was time to replace as it had seen its better days, and wanting to change the color, had Larry's Top Shop in Sister Bay WI meet me. Finding a good canvas guy is always difficult but he got rave reviews from everyone I talked to, he was excellent.

anyway, since the Admiral is a "sun-goddess" she was not happy with my desires to change the angle of the back. Larry and I met and I expressed my desires to have an easily removable top portion to maximize the sunshine. He came up with a design of pivoting poles that extend out and fold under the hard top while underway. In addition, Sunbrella has so many choices of fabric the wife was able to match the color with the highlights on the interior. Love it.

Honestly seems like we have twice as much room in the back now! Plus, everyone can sit on the rear seat without slouching forward or laying down.
 
Yep, gonna need pics.
 
here is a picture (hopefully) of the canvas. It was too crummy out all weekend to open the back up!
canvas2.jpg
 
The one reason we went to a hard top was to get rid of the poles and the Rattles..... WE all agree the canvas setup from the factory is terrible .

I'm torn....

rob
 
Robski97 said:
The one reason we went to a hard top was to get rid of the poles and the Rattles..... WE all agree the canvas setup from the factory is terrible .

I'm torn....

rob
Click to expand...

I have been quoted $5,500 from two canvas shops to do almost the exact same thing. I was already on the fence and the price didn't help. I am going to go one more summer and then decide to replace factory or go this route.... unfortunately that's exactly what I said last year... so, I get the torn part
 
Boat canvas is a DIY project. There is nothing magical about it, just requires a bit of patience.

Youtube is full of instructional videos of building anything canvas on a boat. And Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) sells everything needed at reasonable prices. Sailrite also has tons of videos.

I was quoted $5k to make my camper top and curtains (I had the hardware already). Bought the material and built my own for about $1K in material. (I also replaced isenglass above the windshield as well)

Makes a great winter project, take your time.

image.jpg
 
Last edited:
fdough1 said:
So interested in how you replaced isenglass Captronn. Can you share some more on that project?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Only replaced the isenglass (O'Sea) on the front 5 pieces above the windshield. That was done by removing the pieces, ripping the seams that held the old pieces, cutting new ones and stitching back in with a sewing machine..

The camper back was fabricated by me, including isenglass.
 
CaptRonn said:
Only replaced the isenglass (O'Sea) on the front 5 pieces above the windshield. That was done by removing the pieces, ripping the seams that held the old pieces, cutting new ones and stitching back in with a sewing machine..

The camper back was fabricated by me, including isenglass.
Click to expand...

What brand and model sewing machine did you use? I've been toying with the idea of experimenting with a couple of small canvas projects for a while now but I don't want to invest a lot of money in a sewing machine.
 
JVM225 said:
What brand and model sewing machine did you use? I've been toying with the idea of experimenting with a couple of small canvas projects for a while now but I don't want to invest a lot of money in a sewing machine.
Click to expand...

My machine is a Necchi home machine. Nothing special. It did 95% of what I needed.

However, I am looking at a Barracuda (https://reliablecorporation.com/pro...-walking-foot-zig-zag-sewing-machine-2000u-33) because I want a bit more power for some heavier projects in the future. These are reasonable at $500.
 
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