Full Canvas Package install help

[280 Gator]

I have a 280 DA with full canvas. Went to use it for first time. Everything looks in great shape but been in the bag for two years. Got the three bimini tops on with no problem and all fit fine. First tried to put the three front windshield sections on and had a heck of a time. Logically i snapped in first , which wasnt an easy stretch but we got most snaps in for all three, and then tried to zip to bimini top. Couldt stretch to zip with two of us pulling and holding at all. So we took the snaps off and zipped all three to the top( bimini) first. Admiral went on deck and after a struggle snapped in the two sides. of course had to come in and coudnt do the middle. We never could get all them to zip to each other but we were somewhat closed up. Not sure how someone would do this quickly if running and it started raining.
Then on to the side canvas that zips to windsheild canvas and the arch zipper. We zipped to windshield canvas fine. But snaps to outside were way off and we gave up trying to get to zip to arch. i swear we had the canvases and snaps lined up in the right locations and werent a snap off or something.
Either there is a secret order to hook things up --or we need to do some major stretching somehow. i suspect there is an order of assembling that works.
Anybody know the "secret"
thanks.
Dave

 

[B&AKearney]

We find that only partially zipping the zippers then snapping the snaps and zipping her up works best. Canvasses are very tricky and susceptible to temps. Once you get it figured out the first time, you will be set.

 

[JimT]

http://www.pbsboatstore.com/Ironwoo...feed=Froogle&gclid=CIG_jLi03L8CFQxp7AodGjUA7w

I find that this tool makes getting the snaps on much easier. You can also try wetting the canvas as it will stretch more easily when wet.

 

[boltman]

I've got two of those tools use them all the time though less now on my 480 but a lot when I had the 320


Boltman

 

[MonacoMike]

To get tight canvas back in shape the best way I've found is to first pop out the rear bimini pins of all biminis or, if yours do this, push in the adjustable rear leg to take all pressure off the tops. I then fit my front panels and snap or put them in the groove followed by the side panels all partially zipped. You may need to pull back to get the rear side panel snap down. Then we put on the rear camper canvas partially zipped and snap all around. Then we begin to carefully finish the zipping and once complete pull the bimini poles down and put the pins back in.

It is best to do this on a warm sunny day and to leave it up a while if you can. The more it goes on and off the better for fit and ease of use.

MM

 

[280 Gator]

thanks for the help--Ill try again this weekend

 

[mwph]

+1 on MM's post.
Basically unhook the rear poles and release the adjustable ones to put slack in the bimini, then work front to rear.

 

[alwhite00]

+1 on MM's post.
Basically unhook the rear poles and release the adjustable ones to put slack in the bimini, then work front to rear.

That's what i do. works good but still a pita.

 

[bbwhitejr]

We are new to this and initially it was a real PITA, but after reading on here, we basically have figured out the same. Create slack with the bimini poles, only zip enough to get started good, and snap. Then it seems to be a juggling act as to finish zipping or putting the bimini poles back first. Kind of a mix of the two. First time took an hour, 2nd time 30 minutes. Now can get it done in 15-20. Chapstick on the zippers and snaps does help.