New Canvas Leaks at Seams

[Hampton]

We are having one heck of a rainstorm down here on the Gulf Coast right now. We spent the night on the boat last night, which was nice, but today, it's raining and the new canvas is leaking everywhere! The primary spots are at the edges of the zippers on the biminis. These zippers go across the top and secure the biminis to the poles which support the structure forward of the arch, and behind the arch in midway and all the way aft.

In order to hold the bimini to the arching support structure, there are slots sewn in with zippers to allow you to remove the canvas from the poles. Each of the seams is drawing water in on the threads (like a wick?) and that water is running out of the zippers, primarily at either end. So, above the windshield, in the middle of the cockpit behind the arch, and at the back above the rear seat there is rain leaking in.

This has to stop! How do I seal these areas? Should I paint the whole top with Sunbrella sealant? Should I spray some sort of sealer over the seams? Should I work rubber cement into the seams with my fingers?

 

[fwebster]

John,

One of your canvas guy's trademarks is that his canvas is tight and looks factory. Chip pulls it pretty tight, then the sun shrinks it a little more. You can ask him to come by and reseal the seams.....the leaks are coming in where the needle holes are stretched....or you can get a can of 303 and do it yourself. Do it from the inside after the rain stops and the leaks are gone.

 

[Dancin Dave]

It should slow down after they get wet, swell,dry and swell again. Very frustrating. There maybe a stitch or two that wont and just use Franks recommendation for that and or get a little bottle of plastic seal a dabber for this purpose. Again use when dry, so remember or mark with blue tape the spots to be done.

 

[Seabbatical]

John,

According to one of the maintenance tips pages on the SR Web site, with new Sunbrella canvas the greatest potential for leakage is through the seams. Because Sunbrella and the long-term thread are synthetic, the holes created by the sewing will not swell up and seal when exposed to water as cotton does. Usually the movement of the fabrics in use will move the fibers enough to seal the holes. It is suggested that a couple of light coats of 303 High Tech Fabric Guard be applied to the seams to speed up the process.

I just did this for the canvas on the AJ270 which hopefully will be delivered in early May.

Regards,
Seabbatical

 

[Hampton]

Excellent replies. Thank you all very much. I'll look into this later today or tomorrow.

 

[Jack380AC]

When all else fails...

I have an 8 year old bimini that is pretty much shot. Leaked at most of the seams. No amount of the usual sealers came close to stopping the water torture.

Since we weren't worried about looks (only the bridge tender will see), we applied Marine Goop by finger to the seam holes. Ugly, but works!

 

[Hampton]

I've considered such a move. I'll try more subtle products first, but thanks.

 

[vanburen]

Have seem 303 applied by brush from a plastic cup - clean and easy and very controllable.

 

[mawyatt]

We are having one heck of a rainstorm down here on the Gulf Coast right now. We spent the night on the boat last night, which was nice, but today, it's raining and the new canvas is leaking everywhere! The primary spots are at the edges of the zippers on the biminis. These zippers go across the top and secure the biminis to the poles which support the structure forward of the arch, and behind the arch in midway and all the way aft.

In order to hold the bimini to the arching support structure, there are slots sewn in with zippers to allow you to remove the canvas from the poles. Each of the seams is drawing water in on the threads (like a wick?) and that water is running out of the zippers, primarily at either end. So, above the windshield, in the middle of the cockpit behind the arch, and at the back above the rear seat there is rain leaking in.

This has to stop! How do I seal these areas? Should I paint the whole top with Sunbrella sealant? Should I spray some sort of sealer over the seams? Should I work rubber cement into the seams with my fingers?

John,

You are not alone! We're getting the same storm down here, so I went out to our 38 today to check things out. Well lets say just about every seam in the canvas leaks, right where the stitching is. Also have a leak under the windshield vent that goes to the motor which then finds it way down in the main cabin. Just sent MM an email. You would think SR would have the canvas sealed!

Mike

 

[brimanst]

My experience is that the older the canvas the more you need to do "touch up" waterproofing. I have fixed 2 different older boats with good water proofing. The seams are the worst, but curable. Follow the advice above.

briman

 

[Hampton]

I haven't been on the boat during the rain this week, but the towels I have placed around the area are completely dry. The dinghy cover collected a fair amount of water today, so there was some rain. I still haven't done the front part. Maybe it's starting to get better.

 

[endless seas]

If it's new it will take a little time to seal properly.Believe it or not....dirt will solve your problem...

 

[Dancin Dave]

Canvas guy sais to use scotchgaurd, I just washed the canvas and used the 303, will use scotchgaurd on the inside seams.