Canopies

[tico]

I need to replace my old vinyl (PVC) canopy as all the stitching has rotted and it doesn't fit too well.
The choice is between the same material or the acrylic canvas. has anyone any comments on this??
Will the acrylic canvas roll up smaller as the PVC type always took up a huge amount of storage space.
Whats the durability like??

 

[stuartw]

I have just had the one on my motor crusier replaced, and decided after much debate on the polyester, which looks like Vinyl, but is a fabric with a skin both sides. My original was Acrylic which like yours, the stitching just rotted away. The only advantages I could see with the Acrylics, is that they look nice when new, and they of course breath, thus reducing condensation However according to my hood man, the polyester is far mor easy to clean, particularly bird shit, is cheaper and will last longer. Due to an ever increasing use of more clear window material, this question of condensation is not such a big issue, ie the large windows will get condensation on them, so a bit more doesn't really mattter. The other huge advatage, is that windows can be welded in, with the polyester type. With the acrylic fabric hoods, these have to be stitched in.
Another advantage, is that the colour on the inside can be say a light grey, with the outside being say a dark blue, something which is impossible with the acrylic fabric
My 4 piece hood cost £700, which inluded 6 zips and lots of window area. The equivalent in the nice looking acrylic fabric would have cost £900. I have experienced some horrendous downpours lately, and not a drip coming through. So I am very happy.

 

[BarryD]

Stuart,

My canopy is shall we say "tired" - the commonly used zips are broke and the stitching is coming away. What firm did you use?

Thanks,

Barry D

 

[Col]

JB yacht services made mine last year out of acrylic canvas. Superb!
Doesn't leak, and has a quality look, rolls up small when not in use.

 

[stuartw]

It is call"Mac Hoods & Covers" based in Marlow, Bucks. Tel 01628-483411.
One word of caution. Like many similar companies, you need to tie them down to do exactly what YOU want, & not as they would like. I had to get mine modified (before I paid of course), as he had not listened to what I wanted. I had done a drawing, which he ignored. It would seem these smaller companies are overloaded with work, so timescales can go out of the window.

 

[Col]

Mac was supposed to do my hood, but kept letting me down, he knew I needed canopy for my hols. I'm still waiting for him to call me!
Meantime JB did mine at short notice (needed for week in France) JB turned up when he said he would. He did the trial fit on the day he said he would, and did the final fit and hand over on the day he said he would.
Much better than Mac*I'll ring you next week*hoods.