Is Sunbrella the best choice?

[Jack380AC]

Seems most fabricators are using standard Sunbrella but I know there are other products on the market. Is Sunbrella the best choice for the money or should I consider other materials. I need to replace the bimini and enclosure. It's totally shot.

 

[garryowen]

i'm sure there are products as good, but sunbrella is the gold standard that every one compares their product to.
when we had our new cockpit cover made this spring, the shop told us they coud get what ever we wanted. after looking at all their samples and pricing pluse their advice we went with sunbrella.




edit- the enclosuer and bimini that are on our boat are the same age as the boat. the thread is going bad and needs restiching now and then, but the sunbrella fabric is in very good shape on the bimini and near new on the enclosure that hasnt seen as much use.

 

[Loneranger]

I have sunbrella biminis on the cobalt and the sea ray and have no problems with either; however, I have a full camping enclosure on the pontoon that was made from Top Gun fabric. I have no complaints about it either, and it was not as expensive as the Sunbrella fabrics.

I had not heard of Top Gun when it was initially suggested to me but further research seemed to substantiate it as another top quality marine fabric. The below is just a random site that seemed to have information about the fabric. I have not used them or ordered from them.

http://www.topgunboatcovers.com/TG.htm

John

 

[Fishnut]

If Sunbrella is the gold standard it is a devalued product. It makes a mess with splinters of fabric and run off on your boat, it is expensive and not worth the money. Just my 2 cents. :wow:

 

[fwebster]

What is a "splinter of fabric?"

So if Sunbrella is so poor, please tell us what you have found that is superior to it.

 

[garryowen]

What is a "splinter of fabric?"

So if Sunbrella is so poor, please tell us what you have found that is superior to it.

yes i agree with you fwester.

fishnut what do you use?

 

[Fishnut]

The sunbrella left little black slivers around each snap everytime I put the cockpit cover on. And they didn't blow off with the wind. I called the factory and then talked to sunbrella. Nobody could give an explanation so I moved on. I had a custom shop make the new one. I think they used topgun in the onyx black.

 

[Sublimetime]

I thought TOP GUN was a different product,similiar to Sea Mark (vinyl coated polyester weave, doesn't breathe as well) sunbrella isn't vinyl coated.

 

[Loneranger]

I am not sure what the sunbrella and topgun are actually made of but I know that they feel different. The sunbrella feels more pliable and the top gun a little more stiff. I am not sure about breathability but the top gun I have is a full camping enclosure on a can boat and I have not had any problems with it sweating.

 

[Leafy Isle]

I have had both on my boat, the topgun did not breath as well but is a lot tougher than sunbrella. Take a swatch of both and try to rip the topgun...... then try the sunbrella. The topgun is more "shinier" than sunbrella, so it depends on the look you want and where it is going to be used

 

[Fishnut]

I agree on the breathability of Sunbrella being better but the trade off isn't worth it. The issue would be mold growth and I haven't experienced any new mold issues with the topgun material.

 

[Jack380AC]

Thanks for the replys and opinions. The job is quoted for about $4K. Most of this is the cost of the isenglass and labor. The fabricator says the cost of the cavas material is mostly insignificant to the quote. Thanks all.