Clear sprayhood vinyl

[Sy-Revolution]

Hi Folks,
I'm after some clear sprayhood vinyl that can cope with the Greek sunshine. Had my hood made whilst at Pin Mill. It lasted well until we hit the intense UV of the Med.

It's now brown and cracked and, well, had it.

The hood itself is ok, just the clear stuff that's gone. I'm driving down to Greece this winter and would like to take some vinyl with so I can repair it.

Does anyone know where I can get some that'll be able to handle the UV better than the old stuff?

Cheers,
Cx

 

[[70521]]

Speak to your sailmaker.

 

[vyv_cox]

Since we started cruising the Mediterranean in 2005 we have had three new hoods and two replacement windows. Not one of them has been particularly successful, lasting in a clear state for one season only. One of them was recommended as being the best there is by our sailmaker. We have tried some special vinyl spray that made a small improvement but I don't think there is an answer.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Hi Folks,
I'm after some clear sprayhood vinyl that can cope with the Greek sunshine. Had my hood made whilst at Pin Mill. It lasted well until we hit the intense UV of the Med.

It's now brown and cracked and, well, had it.

The hood itself is ok, just the clear stuff that's gone. I'm driving down to Greece this winter and would like to take some vinyl with so I can repair it.

Does anyone know where I can get some that'll be able to handle the UV better than the old stuff?

Cheers,
Cx

We have the same issue at our latitude. I have covers on the outside of all windows including sprayhood and cockpit side windows.

We close then when we leave the boat to go home .

 

[thinwater]

Since we started cruising the Mediterranean in 2005 we have had three new hoods and two replacement windows. Not one of them has been particularly successful, lasting in a clear state for one season only. One of them was recommended as being the best there is by our sailmaker. We have tried some special vinyl spray that made a small improvement but I don't think there is an answer.

Really? What have you used?

I'm at the same latitude and 10 years is the norm. >5 in the Caribbean. Strataglass. Also O'Sea. Both are polyurethane coated vinyl. Yes, they are stiffer, and folding below about 55F is a bad idea, once they begin to age.

I wonder if cheaper products are common in the UK because you do not get UV?

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Strata glass would be the best option .Its pretty expensive ,bear in mind that it doesn't fold well and quite a bit stiffer than normal Vynil .
On the other hand ,I've never seen it go brown yet .Broken yes when folded after 8 to 10 years .
Most sailmakers order it specifically for the job .Try Kayospruce .

 

[vyv_cox]

Really? What have you used?

I'm at the same latitude and 10 years is the norm. >5 in the Caribbean. Strataglass. Also O'Sea. Both are polyurethane coated vinyl. Yes, they are stiffer, and folding below about 55F is a bad idea, once they begin to age.

I wonder if cheaper products are common in the UK because you do not get UV?

The two replacements were Greek, so presumably rated for higher temperatures. My last hood was made in UK from the best available materials, canvas, thread and vinyl. The windows were beginning to cloud after three months. The hood spends most of its time down or with the window down, zipped out of the hood.

 

[duncan99210]

We replaced the windows on our old spray hood with vinyl from Point North fabrics. It lasted for three years before the surrounding canvas gave up the ghost and wasn’t showing any real signs of deterioration. Our new hood is now about four years old and, again, is showing no signs of deterioration as yet. All in the Med.

So with that in mind, I’d give Point North a go. Website here https://www.profabrics.co.uk/collections/pvc-marine

 

[Graham376]

So with that in mind, I’d give Point North a go. Website here https://www.profabrics.co.uk/collections/pvc-marine

Replaced mine about 3 years ago with vinyl from them. Still clear but there is some bi-axial shrinkage, making the sprayhood hard to stretch to the fasteners. I'm told the problem is fairly common, don't know if non-shrink is available.

 

[thinwater]

Guys, you arn't getting the "best available materials." It seems this is a case where the sunny US market has jumped ahead. We get a lot more sunburn.

I did a series of tests of many products and the waxes used with them, where they were on roof tops for 5 years. Really, no discernible changes in the better materials. The Sunbrella will go 10 years standing on its head.

Sunbrella, Tenera thread, and either Strataglass or O'Sea. 10 years at Med latitude.

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Thanks people, I'll try to find the Sunbrella stuff then
Cheers,
Cx

 

[vyv_cox]

Thanks people, I'll try to find the Sunbrella stuff then
Cheers,
Cx

Sunbrella is the canvas. We found it shrunk quite badly after five years in Greece. We are now using Weathermax 80 that we are told is more shrink resistant.