Boat cover fabric for EX RN runabout

[ErikBenson]

Hello. . .I am almost finished the restoration of my 1953 ex RN 'Fast Motor Dinghy ' She is 16 feet and in mahogany. As they were kept on board large warships for the use of the captain. They never sat about long on the water. I will be doing without the warship, and replacing it instead with a trailer. I need a cover to protect her during trailing, and do not want to damage the varnish. I hear of cloth called Sunbrella. . .and also of course cotton canvas. . . . .but I live in France - to make things even more complicated ! and will look to the UK to get the right stuff for the boat. There are only 3 or 4 survivors out of 1000 built, and I want her to be just 'right' , as I am a Clydesider . One of those is on HMS Belfast, but in a bit of a sorry state. 'Dragonfly' will be kept in a barn the rest of the time.
Anyone out there with an idea of what she ( 'Dragonfly' ) needs ? . . . . .I am getting weary of trawling the net folks !
Cheers. . .Erik

 

[Tranona]

Sunbrella is widely available in France - indeed the European distributor is based in France. Go to a sailmaker or marine canvas worker. In the UK it is available from Kayospruce.