Centaur Canopy

[stephenk]

At lift in yesterday I reluctantly decided my Centaur Canopy is in need of replacement.
I was wondering therefore whether anyone had purchased one lately in order to get a rough figure to discuss the purchase with my fellow owners, pref from a company in the Portsmouth or Lincoln areas,
Also does it save you much if you use the existing frame.
And while I am at it is there anyone that sells them off the shelf.

Thanks

Stephen

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[philip_stevens]

Stephen,
Could I suggest that you post your query on the Westerly newsgroup, at Westerly-Owners@yahoogroups.com or contact the webmaster for details for joining the group at webmaster@westerly-owners.co.uk

Alternatively, you can go to the website and join there - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/index.html>http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/index.html</A>

You will get more answers on the WOA site/group, where most of the Westerly owners reside.


<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[upstream]

I bought a canopy for my Centaur from Martex who provided the whole assembly for less than £300. The fabric needed cuting and finishing where if fits around the deck but apart from that it is a cheaper option. I think depending on if the companionway hatch slides into a garage or is external, will depend on how much skill you will need to finish the job. I did in fact cock it up and had to employ the services of somebody that had to bail me out. that cost £50, Martex sent me some more material free of charge so theres a moral there somewhere. Anyway for less tha £350 I have a new Canopy that looks the Bo***x as they say in these parts. Martex advertise in PBO and will send you fabric samples etc. All in all I was impressed with the quality of the product. I have no connection with Martex.

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[Gatewaysailing]

can you send link for martex?

 

[Gatewaysailing]

I bought a canopy for my Centaur from Martex who provided the whole assembly for less than £300. The fabric needed cuting and finishing where if fits around the deck but apart from that it is a cheaper option. I think depending on if the companionway hatch slides into a garage or is external, will depend on how much skill you will need to finish the job. I did in fact cock it up and had to employ the services of somebody that had to bail me out. that cost £50, Martex sent me some more material free of charge so theres a moral there somewhere. Anyway for less tha £350 I have a new Canopy that looks the Bo***x as they say in these parts. Martex advertise in PBO and will send you fabric samples etc. All in all I was impressed with the quality of the product. I have no connection with Martex.

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can you send link for martex?

 

[Mister E]

The original posts are very old and those people may not be around any more.
The Westerly Owners Club is probably you best bet for a off the peg item.

 

[Tranona]

Don't think Martex are in business anymore. Doubt you will buy a sprayhood off the shelf as there is really not a standard size - it needs to fit the frame you have, or if you don't have a frame that has to be made to fit. find a local canvas worker who will make one to fit your boat.

 

[V1701]

And the cost of it is also very old, I'm guessing you'd be looking at somewhere between £1200-£2000? If I was in the UK & needed a new sprayhood I think I'd almost certainly build my own hard sprayhood. I'd probably make the first one simply out of ply with some holes cut for perspex windows, paint it & see how it worked before going the whole hog and doing a fibreglass one. In the US they call them dodgers, have a look on Youtube there are lots of examples, e.g. Sam Holmes...

 

[Concerto]

One company that probably has standard sprayhood plans for a Centaur would be C & J Marine Ltd. This would involve a new frame and cover.
Sprayhood - C&J Marine, Leading manufacturer of top quality boat covers, yacht canopies, upholstery and accessories

However most sailmakers will also be able to make just a new cover using your old one as a pattern and would work out a lot cheaper.

 

[VicS]

can you send link for martex?

As said they no longer seem to exist.

C&J marine are pretty good. I remember a boat in the yard a few years ago with the best fitting spray hood I've seen that was made by them.

It is well worth getting the makers to fit it so you will be looking for a local maker.
Dont be tempted to do as Concerto suggests and get a new cover made using the old one as a template. It will be stretched and distorted. A friend did that. It was a disaster. The worst looking spray hood ever.

 

[peteK]

A clean and repair may be the better option,if the windows are cracked they can be replaced.

 

[Refueler]

I have just gone down this route ... my boat is of similar age to an elderly Centaur .... Sprayhood has probably been with the boat for most of its life. Windows finally decided that -30C winters are not acceptable ... the material was faded and worn ... but the frame is still 100A1 ... and when inspected found to be better gauge thickness than modern framing.

I have had to resort to having replacement made for the boat as the old hood had stretched / shrunk ... so was useless as a template.

I know that this is going to hurt the pocket .... but having seen the 95% finished article on the sewing bench - ready for fastenings to be fitted ... its 'glorious' !!!

Guys using original frame - which they moved mounts fwd slightly to improve sit of the hood and hatchway ... and added an oak bridge over the hatch ... to avoid the old chafing bungee edge on the old.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Sailshape of Fowey made us an entire cockpit canopy for £800 last year. I would expect simpler backless sprayhood to be less.

Price stung a bit but boy or boy does it make cold rainy days on the moorings nicer, and we can even have it all closed up when motoring though it does make getting out of cockpit to pick up moorings a bit of a wriggle