Eisinglass is a pain in the glass

comsnark

comsnark

New Member
Apr 10, 2007
4,106
NJ Shore
Boat Info
SeaRay SunSport
Engines
5.7LX
so. . .I have a SunSport. Definately a great dayboat. If it's raining. . we usually stay home and watch TV. But now that the fall weather is in the Northeast, 70F sunny afternoons are NOT happening.

When I got my boat, it was rigged with full camper canvas attached to two biminis. The forward pieces attach to the bimini and each other using zippers. They attach to the windshield using a rubber strip that fits in groove.

Last weekend, I put on about half the canvas to coax the admiral out onto the water. It was about 50F, and dark was coming quick. So. . I hauled out the camper canvas. WHAT A TOTAL PITA. It took me about an HOUR of stretching and swearing to get five stupid pieces quasy installed. (It takes eight to fully enclose the cockpit)

Does everyone have this trouble getting the stuff installed? The stuff seemed really tight, and it took an excessive amount of force to STRETCH the material to fit the attachment points. Is there a better way? Is there a different attachment system? I would like to spend 15 minutes tops getting this stuff installed; as I normally don't need this on the boat.

So. . what are other's people experience with Eisenglass camper canvas?
 
comsnark said:
so. . .I have a SunSport. Definately a great dayboat. If it's raining. . we usually stay home and watch TV. But now that the fall weather is in the Northeast, 70F sunny afternoons are NOT happening.

When I got my boat, it was rigged with full camper canvas attached to two biminis. The forward pieces attach to the bimini and each other using zippers. They attach to the windshield using a rubber strip that fits in groove.

Last weekend, I put on about half the canvas to coax the admiral out onto the water. It was about 50F, and dark was coming quick. So. . I hauled out the camper canvas. WHAT A TOTAL PITA. It took me about an HOUR of stretching and swearing to get five stupid pieces quasy installed. (It takes eight to fully enclose the cockpit)

Does everyone have this trouble getting the stuff installed? The stuff seemed really tight, and it took an excessive amount of force to STRETCH the material to fit the attachment points. Is there a better way? Is there a different attachment system? I would like to spend 15 minutes tops getting this stuff installed; as I normally don't need this on the boat.

So. . what are other's people experience with Eisenglass camper canvas?
Click to expand...

At my dock we always to try and wait until the last day it is in the 70s to make it easier to install. I have found the trick is to barely start all the zippers then attach all the snaps and then work on the zippers again. If you get a zipper that is too tight to get all the way zipped, take it out on a sunny day and try again. It is a pain but it is possible.

Alot of it is figuring out the "system". On my boat there are certain panels that need to be zipped before others. Now that I have figured it out it makes it alot easier.

There are a few weeks in the spring and fall where I am taking most of them off in the day and putting them back on for the cruise back to the dock.
 
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Its especially hard with the factory canvas if it sits somewhere either rolled up or not on the boat stretched out like it would be if it were up all the time.

The rubber strip in the front on the windshield is one of the biggest nightmares to work with if theres even a little chill in the air. Taylor made now makes snaps that fit in the groove where the rubber goes and you can have snaps installed on the bottom of your windshield canvas slightly lower than where the rubber strip is to make it easier to install.

Or you could always drill a screw snap directly into the channel on the windshield.
 
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When it is cold it is brutal. I have had both snaps and the
"tupperware" style. The channel type is better fitting and thus tighter. Good exercise for the fingers!
 
Groucho said:
When it is cold it is brutal. I have had both snaps and the
"tupperware" style. The channel type is better fitting and thus tighter. Good exercise for the fingers!
Click to expand...

The rub here is:

If it ain't cold => I don't want it on the boat!
If it is cold => I can't get it on the boat!
 
comsnark said:
The rub here is:

If it ain't cold => I don't want it on the boat!
If it is cold => I can't get it on the boat!
Click to expand...

I think if you start using it on a semi-regular basis and follow the "zipper method" I described it will probably get easier over time. I am not sure if you are trailering or wet slipping. I wet slip so leave it on all winter.

I have had both the "tupperware" type and snap type. I strongly prefer the Snap type I have now. For me, it stays just as tight but it actually stays connected where the other style would work it's way loose. On my 225, the track type was a PITA and did not stay in well. I am sure you could retrofit if you choose to do so although it would take some work. On my 225 the track was just on the front 3 panels so I just dealt with it.
 
Get one of these bad boys, it makes the job of snapping up your canvas MUCH easier! :thumbsup:
52_4_.jpg
 
Pack66Dad said:
Get one of these bad boys, it makes the job of snapping up your canvas MUCH easier! :thumbsup:
52_4_.jpg
Click to expand...


Man, that's just what I've been looking for. :thumbsup: Do you know of a website where it can be purchased from overseas:huh:


Terry
 
+1 on the tool,makes it so much easier if you have to stretch things a little.


:grin:
 
The tool works good. Bought mine from Defender. Good luck with Savvyboater if you ever have an issue. I will post my saga - soon.
 
I had a local canvas guy add about 3" of material at the bottom of the Eisenglass panels and cut off the rubber. He installed snaps on the extra material and on the windshield frame. Now it can be installed EASILY in any weather. Best $200 I ever spent.
 
charlg said:
I had a local canvas guy add about 3" of material at the bottom of the Eisenglass panels and cut off the rubber. He installed snaps on the extra material and on the windshield frame. Now it can be installed EASILY in any weather. Best $200 I ever spent.
Click to expand...

I am going to try the "Zipper an inch first" method this weekend. . .then I am thinking the same thing about getting the Eisenglass reworked.

Groucho said:
I don't use mine anymore...since it rips the snaps off. Be careful
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. I have a new cockpit cover this year, and I have already damaged one or two snaps due to the forces required to get some of these things off.
 
Groucho said:
I don't use mine anymore...since it rips the snaps off. Be careful
Click to expand...

Interesting comment, I've used mine a lot and never had a problem.

With the constantly changing climate here in the PNW canvas that snapped up easily all day can be way too tight in the evening. My wife uses it every time she snaps or unsnaps canvas (saves her nails).

I have found my canvas tool to be invaluable. :thumbsup:
 
I know there is snap lub out there but I'm old school and just carry a 1/2 wide emergency camping candle and use that to "lub" the snaps about once a year/season. Works well and cheap, doesn't wash off and won't stain the canvas...
 
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