Saggy centre in top canopy

alt

alt

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Folks,
I seem to have a little problem with the 'roof' section of my canopy.

It was collecting water, so I made a few adjustments to the support bars, but it's making no difference.

The centre of the roof has stretched and is sagging (the perimeter of the roof section is nice and tight)

Are there any miracle cures out there for tightening up just one section of the canvas roof? I don't want to try and shrink the whole thing, just the centre section of it to get rid of the sag
 
I had a simlar problem and had a few alterations which worked for a season, they installed a couple of extra poles. Need to watch though, if too much water gathers it can cause a lot of damage to screen and popper bases where they are attached to the boat.

Mines is now being replaced for the same reason.
 
alt said:
Folks,
I seem to have a little problem with the 'roof' section of my canopy.

It was collecting water, so I made a few adjustments to the support bars, but it's making no difference.

The centre of the roof has stretched and is sagging (the perimeter of the roof section is nice and tight)

Are there any miracle cures out there for tightening up just one section of the canvas roof? I don't want to try and shrink the whole thing, just the centre section of it to get rid of the sag
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first thought was one of them big orange race marks inflated under it but could be a bit awkward while underway so how about a Helium filled balloon ?

If still not enough space you could cut a hole in the roof which will eliminate the puddle.

Or take the canopy off, put a slight bow in the top bar section which will take the slack out and job done.
 
We've got a Sealine S37 and had the same problem. There are two straps which run from the screen rearwards and we position the boathook across the width of the canopy and that seems to do the trick. Hope it works for you - a cheap solution in our case for once!!
David
 
No miracle cures for shrinking the centre of it then? :D

I'll take a pic of the set-up I have tomorrow... I Can't think of any easy fixes for this, but I will spend some time adjusting the poles some more... who knows, I might be lucky! I'd be tempted to put the canvas into the dryer for a few minutes and see if that does anything for it
 
alt said:
No miracle cures for shrinking the centre of it then? :D

I'll take a pic of the set-up I have tomorrow... I Can't think of any easy fixes for this, but I will spend some time adjusting the poles some more... who knows, I might be lucky! I'd be tempted to put the canvas into the dryer for a few minutes and see if that does anything for it
Click to expand...

Max wash temperature for most Acrylic canvas is 30 degrees c, and the fabric will shrink up with excess heat. However this is likely to be even across the canvas. There may also be some effect on any window material

Depending on the sag it may be possible to put more of a crown into the framework which will tension the canvas, or to fit an additional bar to tension the canvas.

Last option is the possibility of taking out a hollowing seam to tension the sagged area.

John
www.tecsew.com
 
Jay - thanks for the reply.

I'm not interested in the notion of installing another bar, there's already one bar in this section to keep the roof 'taught'

What may be an option is to mark out with a marker where the sag area is and bring it to a seamstress who may be able to cut the canvas and 'pinch' it by re-sewing it tighter... or is that just a stupid idea?
 
That may be a viable option, we have done this before, depends on the sag. We would overtighten, i.e take in a little more than what you can pull up and mark.

Post a picture at some time if you can.

I am not sure what model you have but we are manufacturing replacement canopies for a Sealine 328 at the moment. The frame on the existing cover is flat across the top with the canopy collecting water. We are reshaping the bar and installing an additional bar to slope the canvas and make sure it sheds water.

We have generated a complete revamp of the design with our 3d cad process.

John
www.tecsew.com
 
It sounds like you need a bit more tension in the canopy. Rafiki's old canopy did the same as yours. I stopped the water pooling by using a couple of bungy straps between the frame hoop and the radar arch, and this stopped the sagging, hence no pooling. Rafs new canopy has sufficient tension not to need any straps. She has a series of bungy straps that pull the rear of the canop section down onto the transom.
 
Thanks guys - i'll take plenty of pics tomorrow to give ye a visual idea, will make much more sense then!
 
Niall, I have delved into the depths of my 5 months maritime experience … and .... got nowhere … but how about borrowing the girlfriends hair dryer … (I wont explain on the web why you wont have one) … and maybe heat the saggy patch or perhaps you might have some other heater that can be directed to the area in an attempt to shrink it without setting fire to it.

Graham
 
Niall I'm sure one of our local canopy makers is more than able to help you! Be it taking some slack out of the canopy or whatever. I'm not too sure about any quick fixes. Although in my mastercraft there are two simple aluminium poles (essentially medical crutches for want of a better explanation, as in they extend and have those "notches" for adjusting height) which form the triangular/pyramid/pointed sections in the overall cover which stops pools etc. forming. It could be worth making something similar and extending it from the floor of your boats cockpit to the centre of the sagging patch to take up any slack. I think this could work well!

The bow rider section of my boat has one pole and another in the main cockpit. In the bow the pole is in the centre and then there are two straps which connect to two small hand rails by way of adjustable "schoolbag" straps. This keeps the bow pole centred while the main cockpit pole is not attached to anything port or starboard but to the ski pole aft. This may work well to keep such a design centred! Best of all it will be cheap!
 
JClarkes said:
Did you ever get this fixed??

Have you any pictures??

Also, are the bars on your canopy curve to allow water run off?
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yes mate got sorted. I threw 50euro at a local sailmaker and he fixed the problem. No pics sorry but ill take some when I'm back at the boat
 
JClarkes said:
Good job. Just make sure you keep it tight. Especially in this snowy and icey weather.
Click to expand...

Appreciate that, it's just one of those things but thankfully very easily fixed. Just cut and re-sew (teh sailmaker currently has it)

Thankfully no snow or ice over here on west cost Ireland. Infact first day of rain in a while! (for a change)
 
When we got covers back that were saggy it was the main option to cut out the excess. All depending on the cover off course. When you get it back, just test with a bucket of water, any water sitting will sag after time.

Good curved bars and webbing straps to tighten at the back usually work well.
 
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