Canopy cover track system advice please!

[mikeakc]

Hi all,
I wonder if I could ask some advice on cover track systems for a coach house roof please?

We have a 1977 Colvic Northerner, 26 foot motor cruiser. She's used as a family camper down here in Cornwall. The cover has died a death and we have a very good cover maker here in Falmouth making a new folding cover. This will be attached to the coachouse roof using a track system. We opted for this rather than turn dots as it can be sikaflexed down and remain watertight. The intention was to use Costa track, white, flat. Here it is: Costa Track PVC Track UVR Heavy Duty Vinyl Flat 8' White | Trivantage

This is really a sturdy product and I was impressed with it but we only had a short sample length. As it turns out it was made in the USA and has been discontinued. So, to my questions:

1. Does anybody out there know of a supplier who may still have Costa track in stock?
2. Can anyone recommend an alternative product?

Many thanks for your advice in advance.
Mike

 

[rogerthebodger]

I use a aluminum rope track like this screwed to the cabin top of my boat

Keder Rails

These people also seem to have a PVC the looks like the same as you posted but also all kinds of different types

C Type Aluminium Rail also available in PVC

 

[mikeakc]

Thanks @Rogershaw I appreciate the input. The reason I liked the Costa track is that it was so much beefier than most of the PVC options on the market. It also bends on two axis - there is an athwartship curve and the rail was also patterned to bend fore and aft so rainfall was blown back along and off the edge of the coach house roof rather than it acting as a dam. I like the look of the aluminium rail but doubt it could be bent in two directions as I would like it to be.

It may just have to be a lighter weight PVC version as you describe @Rogershaw . Do these last and stand being accidentally trodden on?

Any more thoughts or experience from forum members would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Martin_J]

I have bought the standard plastic track from CJMarine in the past, but only because they're local.
Hawkehouse have the standard plastic track..

Hawkehouse plastic spray hood track

Kayospruce have that standard plastic sprayhood track, the Costa that you mentioned and even aluminium Trimtrack (with ends and feed sections!)

Kayospruce - standard, Costa and aluminium Trimtrack sprayhood tracks

Bit of a nightmare paying postage just for a couple of pieces though - Perhaps easiest to ask a local sailmaker to add some to their next order...

 

[mikeakc]

Thanks @Martin_J
I was on the phone to Kayospruce today and unfortunately they're out of stock and can't get anymore. How did you find the standard plastic track held up with use? The trimtrack also looks good but I imagine bending without it kinking it may be an issue.

To be honest an extra bit of postage won't worry me too much. This is a once in 10 years project so want to get it right and not have to think about it for a good while!

Thanks for the feedback.
Mike

 

[chris-s]

Thanks @Martin_J
I was on the phone to Kayospruce today and unfortunately they're out of stock and can't get anymore. How did you find the standard plastic track held up with use? The trimtrack also looks good but I imagine bending without it kinking it may be an issue.

To be honest an extra bit of postage won't worry me too much. This is a once in 10 years project so want to get it right and not have to think about it for a good while!

Thanks for the feedback.
Mike

I can't help on the track front but would be interested to hear who is going your canvas work.

Chris

 

[Martin_J]

There is a filler/former piece shown on the Kayospruce page that appears to fit into the Trimtrack to save it distorting whilst bending it.

As to the life of the plastic sections. From my experience, and with a tight bend on the deck, I have them seem to start to split after about ten years if they get exposed to sunlight. Worthwhile sewing the cover edge so it covers the track.

My second choice would be to pop into Baseline marine because they're also local. They appear to have stock of the plastic section.

Baseline marine sprayhood track

They also have the Trimtrack in stock as well as Trimtrack tools and even the bending rollers... Perhaps worth a phone call to them.

 

[jwilson]

On my coachroof the original plastic track fitted when the boat was new 15 years ago has long since split and cracked, and in 15 years I am now on my third replacement, firstly from CJ and the last two times from Kayospruce. As two of the three track secions have a significant two-dimensional curve I feel alloy track would be impossible to use. The better quality of the types of plastic track available seem to be made by/for Bainbridge.

 

[rogerthebodger]

It may just have to be a lighter weight PVC version as you describe @Rogershaw . Do these last and stand being accidentally trodden on?

Any more thoughts or experience from forum members would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Mike

Must admit I have not used PVC track but use aluminium track quite a bit and the aluminium does stand up to quit a lot of abuse. More important to me is the damage to the PVC in high UV levels

 

[mikeakc]

Hi @chris-s
It's a local cover maker in Falmouth called Ben Selman. He seems like he really knows his stuff and I'm hoping it will be a good solution.

Thanks @jwilson I will look into Bainbridge and keep this thread posted on what we opt for. I'll upload a photo of the final solution as it takes shape.

Cheers, Mike

 

[wilkinsonsails]

There is also a heavy duty P Track available from Kayospruce, which we use for Heavier covers and canopies.
Its much thicker plastic than Flexirail .May only bend one way though, unless you cut the flat part and heat it with a hot air gun .

 

[mikeakc]

@wilkinsonsails Thanks for your post. Given your experience which would you opt for? It needs to go across this roof about midway between the hatch and the far edge. If you could explain your choice I'd be most grateful! All options (pvc and aluminium) are up for consideration! Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[mikeakc]

@Rogershaw thanks, do you think the aluminium 'P' section rail would bend over the roof pic I posted above?

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Yes the HD plastic track could do that job easily.

 

[rogerthebodger]

@Rogershaw thanks, do you think the aluminium 'P' section rail would bend over the roof pic I posted above?

I have aluminium track over my wheel house roof which has a similar or a camber a little greater without issues.

 

[mikeakc]

Okay, Aluminium P track it is!
I'll upload photos once it's done. Many thanks to all for the advice, it's much appreciated. Mike

 

[mikeakc]

Here's the finished cover. Thanks to all who chipped in. We went for white pvc P track which is plenty strong enough. This ended up being better than the aluminium as we could sweep it aft slightly at the ends as well as curving to the roof. Very pleased with the final result. Cheers.

 

[pvb]

Good result! Nell looks smart!

 

[mikeakc]

Yes, thanks @pvb I'm really pleased with the end result. Just in time for launch too.