Covers - renovate or replace?

[Kerley99]

How long should a set of covers last?
Mine are 5 years old and am not sure whether to renovate or look to replace.
They are gettting a bit shabby with light penetrating in certain areas (not the windows!!) although they appear to be weather proof.
What do you think?

 

[enterprise]

I would look to get a new set made.
Reproof the old set for use as winter canopies.
The new set will last a lot lot longer if they aren't used through the ravages of winter and it never hurts to have a spare set should the need arise.

 

[CX54WEK]

We are having the same debate now.

The canopies on ours are the original set and are going on for 8 years old now. Last year we spent a few hundred quid on replacing the zips and some "windows" and adding a section over the transom gate. This winter we look set to spend a further few hundred pounds on further repairs, modifications and stitching. We know at some point we will need to replace the hoods but for now are happy enough spending some money on the existing one as it is generally in good order, the canvas being in very good condition as it has been fabsilled twice a year from new. The stitching lets the canpoy down as the original stuff is rotting.

As we see it if we can get another few years out of the original canopy then it has had a good innings and then we wont feel too bad about binning it and getting a replacement one made.

 

[Morpheous]

Same here. Ours is 10 years old and the stitching has rotted. Spent half of this years cruise sowing zips back on. Trying to decide whether to replace, get restitched or keep sowing myself. Any good recommends for a replacement gratefully received.

I have seen one good site from a link in another thread but I didn't particularly like the look of the cover, not nearly as many opening panels as I have now.

 

[CX54WEK]

We use this chap here for our repairs

http://www.marineandindustrialcovers.com/

Mainly because he is based in our marina so will carry out repairs during the week whilst we are at work, but also because his work is very good and he charges very competitive prices.

We will use him when we need a new complete hood making and continue to use him for any repair work on the existing covers.

 

[Trundlebug]

Tha canvas acrylic type covers last about 10 years tops. Look lovely when new and when kept really clean, but need quite a bit of maintenance to stop them going green and losing their waterproofness. A friend of mine washes his with soap flakes a couple of times a year then re-waterproofs.

The vinyl type last up to 20 years. They don't look as posh, they cost about the same, are a bit harder to make (less forgiving if the hood maker makes a mistake, so I'm told) so are better value if cost or life are the main drivers. They do go a bit stiff in the winter cold weather. Cleaning / proofing with Mer vinyl cleaner keeps them soft and supple.

Would be useful to have vinyl for winter covers, acrylic for summer then I guess

 

[Morpheous]

That sounds very handy. Boat is at Portishead and no one on site sadly. I have used a Bristol based repairer and have requested a quote for a full replacement. Nothing back yet.

Another recommend has been given to another company but they don't have a web site (can you believe it) so haven't seen their handy work yet.

 

[Scubadoo]

Funny enough I've had the same discussions with my wife recently.

My orginal covers lasted about 5/6 years and was replaced back in 2005 which have now lasted 5 years and need replacing. Starting to patch it up and it just looking tatty to me.

So thinking of replacing with a new covers in Spring 2011 and leave the current covers to endure the winter.

Don't make the mistake I made, my last replacement covers were slightly thinner canvas kind of similar to American boats and didn't look so good as the orginals, this has proven not wear so well, but at the time it was either £2.4k or £1.4k.