Great Lakes canvas sale

[charlg]

I just got a voicemail from Great Lakes telling me there is 25% off all orders until the end of March. I had called them last fall and was going to order a new sunshade very soon. I'm glad I waited!!

 

[kazie]

I just received a shipping notice that my new bimini top and sunshade has been shipped, I ordered it on Feb.13, 2009. Now I'm going to be kicking myself all season.

 

[Nehalennia]

I just received a shipping notice that my new bimini top and sunshade has been shipped, I ordered it on Feb.13, 2009. Now I'm going to be kicking myself all season.

Call them and bring it up. It may help and tell them you'll pass the word

 

[Walz]

Thanks for the information. Now that I have my tax refund amount, I was trying to decide on a number of things to buy. Looks like a new visor is back on the list!

 

[charlg]

I ordered my Sun Top today. They were nice enough to extend the sale for me through April because I'm not sure if I need any other sections, and I won't be able to access the boat until then. They are very nice to deal with.

 

[KevinS]

Thanks for the tip - I sent in an inquiry for my boat and here's what I got back....

Thank you for your Great Lakes Boat Top original replacement canvas inquiry. Below are the prices for the item(s) you requested in Navy, Black or Tan for your 2003 Sea Ray 340SDA .
Per your request we pulled all the canvas for this boat. We are offering a 25% discount on orders until March 31st 2009.

1. Bimini Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $633.60
2. Bimini Top Valance Qty:1 $96.06
3. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Side Curtains (set) Qty:1 $353.19
4. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Visor Curtain Clear (set) Qty:1 $445.76
5. Sunshade Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $717.84
6. Sunshade Valance -S08 Qty:1 $109.80
7. Sunshade - Aft. Curtain Qty:1 $710.11
8. Cockpit Cover Standard Qty:1 $876.22
9. Cockpit Cover Bimini Without Snaps Installed Qty:1 $876.22
10. Carpet Runner Complete Qty:1 $306.25

These are the prices before the discount so they're pretty good. I have no idea what a Valance is and whether I need one or not if I just order the Bimini Top.

 

[charlg]

Thanks for the tip - I sent in an inquiry for my boat and here's what I got back....

Thank you for your Great Lakes Boat Top original replacement canvas inquiry. Below are the prices for the item(s) you requested in Navy, Black or Tan for your 2003 Sea Ray 340SDA .
Per your request we pulled all the canvas for this boat. We are offering a 25% discount on orders until March 31st 2009.

1. Bimini Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $633.60
2. Bimini Top Valance Qty:1 $96.06
3. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Side Curtains (set) Qty:1 $353.19
4. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Visor Curtain Clear (set) Qty:1 $445.76
5. Sunshade Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $717.84
6. Sunshade Valance -S08 Qty:1 $109.80
7. Sunshade - Aft. Curtain Qty:1 $710.11
8. Cockpit Cover Standard Qty:1 $876.22
9. Cockpit Cover Bimini Without Snaps Installed Qty:1 $876.22
10. Carpet Runner Complete Qty:1 $306.25

These are the prices before the discount so they're pretty good. I have no idea what a Valance is and whether I need one or not if I just order the Bimini Top.

The valance slides into the arch. It is basically the zipper for the sunshade top (aft side of the arch).

 

[stephane]

Here is my quote they did not talk to me about 25% I just call back but they where out.
anyone have more info or the persone to talk for the 25% off

Also wonderring wath is the sunshade and bimini valance?



Dear STEPHANE ,
Thank you for your Great Lakes Boat Top original replacement canvas inquiry. Below are the prices for the item(s) you requested in beige for your 1998 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer.


1. Bimini Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $448.37
2. BIMINI VALANCE Qty:1 $110.02
3. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Side Curtains (set) Qty:1 $250.04
4. Bimini Top (Enclosure) Visor Curtain Clear (set) Qty:1 $374.83
5. Sunshade Top (Fabric Only) Qty:1 $399.97
6. SUNSHADE VALANCE Qty:1 $190.73
7. Sunshade - Aft. Curtain Qty:1 $574.59

 

[Larry]

I just placed my order today for all new canvas and new hatch covers, after 25% disc. came out to just over $1700 plus shipping. I thought this was a great deal.


Stephane,
"Also wonderring wath is the sunshade and bimini valance? "

Valance is the part that slides into the track on your arch and has the zipper on the other side to attach to the bimini (font of arch)and sunshade (rear of arch).

 

[KevinS]

My order just arrived tonight and everything looks great.

I have two big questions about the snap installations though. I bought the GL install tool that looks like vise grips with snap attachments.

1. Do I need to punch holes in the canvas before using the snap tool? They didn't send anything for that.

2. When I get to the isenglass parts, I'm wondering whether to start on the outsides with the side panels and work my way to the middle or start with the middle visor piece and work my way out on each side?

Any other tips appreciated. Trying to avoid screwing up the nice new canvas

Will have to change sig pic with new black canvas.

 

[stephane]

Stephane,
"Also wonderring wath is the sunshade and bimini valance? "

Valance is the part that slides into the track on your arch and has the zipper on the other side to attach to the bimini (font of arch)and sunshade (rear of arch).

The top and visor are pretty good deal but those valance are pretty expensive! 190$ and 110$ for alf ziper over a plastic track

Wondering if the new ziper could fit on the old valance?


Kevin the only recomendation I could give is dont overtight the snap cause in the long run fabric tend to shrink and canevas become a pain to stretch and snap even more in cold condition.

 

[Larry]

Stephane,

"The top and visor are pretty good deal but those valance are pretty expensive! 190$ and 110$ for alf ziper over a plastic track "

Your correct they do seem out of proportion in comparison to the rest of the canvas, You do not need to change these if you are not changing colors and yours are in good condition. They are using the exact same template that the original canvas mated to, so it should fit perfect.

 

[Walz]

KevinS:

You do not need to punch holes to set the snaps. The snap tool will do that when you place the snaps. Although it may seem expensive, the snap tool from Great Lakes is a good investment. I found that the cheap tools sold by West Marine and others don't last long and don't completely set the snaps. Perhaps you can borrow one from someone at your marina.

 

[Henry Boyd]

The top and visor are pretty good deal but those valance are pretty expensive! 190$ and 110$ for alf ziper over a plastic track

Wondering if the new ziper could fit on the old valance?


Kevin the only recomendation I could give is dont overtight the snap cause in the long run fabric tend to shrink and canevas become a pain to stretch and snap even more in cold condition.

I haven't seem the GL Canvas, but I do have some knowledge of what is involved with making the valences. They are just not zipper halves. The zipper is attached to three pieces of fabric that form the part that inserts into the track. In the center is what looks like a piece of clothesline cord with a fabric web. This is wrapped with a white nylon like fabric, then on the inside there is a section of trim that matches the color of your top. This is all sowed together with the zipper half.

I just had a local canvas shop redo ours and the piece I paid was roughly equivalent to what GL charges. I'm estimating because they also did other work re-doing stiches, and other zips.

Henry

 

[KevinS]

KevinS:

You do not need to punch holes to set the snaps. The snap tool will do that when you place the snaps. Although it may seem expensive, the snap tool from Great Lakes is a good investment. I found that the cheap tools sold by West Marine and others don't last long and don't completely set the snaps. Perhaps you can borrow one from someone at your marina.

Ok great - I'll give it a try without hold punching then. it seems like alot of material to go through. I did buy the GL snap tool and it seems pretty sturdy. Now I just have to make sure I don't drop it in the water

On the valance topic, I didn't know what they were at first but I did order new ones with my order. Seems like a minor addition to round out a completely new canvas package. Looking at how they are constructed I think the price is fair and glad I got them.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Alex F]

I've contacted 3 different local shops to replace my isinglass. They all quoted in the range of $850-$1K this is for four pieces (3 front and strbd side curtains). I had decided to order the full set of 5 (including the port side) for $600 incl. shipping, this is with their March 25% discount. So, even if the end result (adding u-zippers with velcro cover leak prevention) would cost me the same $1K it's much worth it b/c I would be getting everything new (isinglass and the canvas frame parts around it vs. just new isinglass).

BTW, the first impression with GL customer service was not too exciding. They always there via phone or email, but phone reps have limited knowledge of the product they make/sell.

 

[ChuckW]

Just got a flier in the mail today from them. They are continuing their 25% off sale thru 4/30/09. Says to just mention code SLR39 to receive the discount.

 

[kpetry]

I just ordered a complete set of canvas, side curtains and camper for our '99 290, including valances - EVERYTHING, including shipping and the snap tool for $2140. Another source, recommended by a CSR member was 50% more (also for Great Lakes product), and the local canvas shop quoted $4800 for a "custom" job.

The bottom line is that there is tremendous variation in price for what I would consider to be equal quality. I found Kellie at Great Lakes to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. For my money, the best deal by far was Great Lakes, and the 25% discount made it a no brainer. I won't receive the stuff till mid April, as the don't stock the stuff, but make it to order. They're the OEM manufacturer, so fit should not be an issue. The last set lasted 10 yrs, so I don't know why this set wouldn't too.

Never thought I'd be tickled to pay $2K for a boat repair! :grin:

 

[rcknecht]

I am just about to place an order with Kelli at GL for both my 2001 190 and 340. I was able to do both boats, with a cockpit cover for the 340 for much less than the basic canvas on the 340 by a local Silverton OEM canvas shop. Make sure you ask for 25% of your snap tool, they did not mark it down without me asking.

 

[1stSeaRay]

Does anyone have the current discount code?

I was told today "SEA95" expired at the end of May, but there is another for June. I checked searay.com, but they still show the code from May.