Zipper Repair

[mmcguire2002]

I have a 2003 Sea Ray 340 and the white zipper which is attached to the radar arch, and zips into my cavas, is frayed. My Sea Ray dealer here in SoCal quoted $250 to fix/repair. That seem ridiculous to me. Has anyone had any experience with replacing this zipper? Thanks.

 

[Newbie]

You should be able to get that repaired for much cheaper elsewhere. But, I just talked with Great Lakes boat tops a few weeks ago for the exact same boat and the girl told me those zippers were available new for about 70-80 from them. SB

 

[CJ Martin]

We had a local canvas shop replace the forward arch zipper with a higher quality one for under $200. Because we replaced the zipper with a different type, the forward bimini and front side eisenglass panels also had their part of the zipper replaced...that added to the cost.

-CJ

 

[fwebster]

It seems high because there is a good bit of labor involved and your dealer charges in the order of $100/hour. If the zipper tape if frayed, then both halves of the zipper must be replaced which means the bimini has to be removed, delivered to the canvas shop, the zipper replaced, the canvas picked up, returned to the boat and reinstalled. If you took the bimini off and took it to the canvas shop, the repirs would be in the $100-$150 area.

Why not work directly with the canvas guys? They are accustomed to pick up and delivery on larger boats.

Also, if you remove the top, have all the seam re-stitched while it is at the canvas guys place. Five year's sun exposure usually gets the life out of the threads used in the tops and restitching might save you some future aggravation.