DIY Canopy tips .

waynes world

waynes world

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Hi all.

Before we start, yep I know, a lot will say dont do it.

To see if I can save over £1k I am willing to try it out. And looking forward to it.

Now I have been looking around the net to find ways to make the canopy I need to make for my Buckingham 20 cruiser I am refurbing.

I have this for the windows, easy enough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7i-iAgzZc

And this that Bigwow sent me for an idea which I like.


http://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Make-a-Dodger


Not sure if Sailrite have videos of the Zips and more details as I have looked but have come by nothing.

I will be using either Sunbrella or Topgun so good to hear how it is when fitting as in stretch etc,

Any tips for me to think on will be great :).

Oh yes I will be using scissors and the best waterproof joints ...hot knifes are daft money from what I have found well over £100..

My main concern at the minute is fitting the zips. I guess the zipped doors will need to be done separate but then this will make it more difficult to get the doors taught when finished ?


Cheers

Wayne
 
Good luck. You can probably buy all the materials from Hawke House. However a complete cover is a big challenge and you are probably about to find out why you pay others to do the job! - and why such things seem to be expensive.
 
Tranona said:
Good luck. You can probably buy all the materials from Hawke House. However a complete cover is a big challenge and you are probably about to find out why you pay others to do the job! - and why such things seem to be expensive.
Click to expand...


I have found a few places that sell the materials. all very similar prices. Hawkehouse isnt to bad.


And you dont know util you try how things will turn out. And its part of a project to try new things out. Good to learn new things ;)
 
I once saw two guys make a pattern for a biggish spray hood on a yacht. They put up the existing stainless steel frame and covered it with layer upon layer of 50 mm wide blue masking tape crisscrossed, just like you would lay up a papier-mâché model. They must have put five or more layers on and then finished the under (sticky side) with one layer of tape to de-stickyfly it. Then they ran a Stanley knife along the tubes to release it leaving the 20mm or so tube dia on the tubes. The resulting patterns came off almost rigid and the next time I saw the boat it had nice new, well fitting spray hood.
Keep up the good work :encouragement:
 
waynes world said:
Hi all.

Before we start, yep I know, a lot will say dont do it.

To see if I can save over £1k I am willing to try it out. And looking forward to it.

Now I have been looking around the net to find ways to make the canopy I need to make for my Buckingham 20 cruiser I am refurbing.

I have this for the windows, easy enough

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7i-iAgzZc

And this that Bigwow sent me for an idea which I like.


http://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Make-a-Dodger


Not sure if Sailrite have videos of the Zips and more details as I have looked but have come by nothing.

I will be using either Sunbrella or Topgun so good to hear how it is when fitting as in stretch etc,

Any tips for me to think on will be great :).

Oh yes I will be using scissors and the best waterproof joints ...hot knifes are daft money from what I have found well over £100..

My main concern at the minute is fitting the zips. I guess the zipped doors will need to be done separate but then this will make it more difficult to get the doors taught when finished ?


Cheers

Wayne
Click to expand...
I started making covers for cockpit, mainsail, etc 13 years ago using Topgun fabric. The 13 year old one is still in use and servicable albeit a bit grubby. It does not frey when cut so no need for a hot knife. Fix all hems and seams with double sided tape then sew.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Plum said:
I started making covers for cockpit, mainsail, etc 13 years ago using Topgun fabric. The 13 year old one is still in use and servicable albeit a bit grubby. It does not frey when cut so no need for a hot knife. Fix all hems and seams with double sided tape then sew.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Click to expand...

Good tip with the tape - but make sure the tape isn't where the sewn seam will be. I did and the glue builds up on the needle, eventually snaring the thread.
 
Sometimes it's easier to put the Zips in first ,particularly if the Zips don't cross seams..The fabric will be flat and more manageable .
 
A good tip is to have a good look at how they are constructed by viewing other boats. Double sided tape is essential. Sew any windows to the canvas before cutting the hole, ditto for zips. There are books on the subject see http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Big-B...563811?hash=item1ec637c9e3:g:ZQoAAOSwjqVZA7IO I've never used this book but may be useful.
I've used Kayospruce who sell everything you'll need. Good luck! I made dodgers, sprayhood and a cockpit cover plus other canvas pieces.
 
Pointnorth is also an excellent supplier of boating canvas and associated sundries with some very good guide notes too.

I used them for my Bimini / Poop cover. Prices were good too I thought.

Seascrew for any stainless fittings.
 
There's a good (£10) price for Casey "Canvaswork and Sail Repair" on Amazon at the momenet

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_s...=casey+canvaswork&rh=i:aps,k:casey+canvaswork


also ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_o...vaswork.TRS0&_nkw=casey+canvaswork&_sacat=267

This is the essential book. Clear diagrams, full range of projects from flat work to zips.

Thinking about the machine... You are unlikely to need a portable machine, perhaps consider a cheaper land-based one running off 240v. and a table. Much easier to deal with the material. Something like this one, but with zigzag. They hold their price when you have finished the project.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brother-I...049551?hash=item46629b350f:g:ec8AAOSwCQZZB2h9

Have you had a chance to call in to that sewing place near you and look at the machines ?


Somewhere in the shed I have a grommet and snap press you can borrow when you get to the stage of installing the canvas.
 
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The method of using bias binding to line windows looks fiddly. If you look on most sprayhoods you will see they have just sewn in the window and then turned over a simple hem on the outside. The Casey book shows the method.

You only need white thread, if you have trouble with sailmaking weights a heavy domestic polyester works well. Guterman Extra Strong is good but expensive and not available on big spools.
Take care not to cut your panels on the cloth bias with complex things like a sprayhood. Acrylic canvas is very stable but I still wouldn't.
 
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Use Sunbrella it's the longest lasting canvas and Dabond UV resistant thread, you will need hot knife to seal the edges of the canvas. What might put you off is you need a walking foot sewing machine to feed the canvas through and they are not cheap, we used the Sailrite one and it was used to make a sprayhood with windows, three awnings for a ketch, two fender holders, covers for the GPS and Sat C, covers for a total of six water and diesel containers on deck, a cover for a deck box, mainsail and mizzen sail covers and four winch covers so it was worth the investment, the cost is here: http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-PREMIUM-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine
 
KellysEye said:
Use Sunbrella it's the longest lasting canvas and Dabond UV resistant thread, you will need hot knife to seal the edges of the canvas. What might put you off is you need a walking foot sewing machine to feed the canvas through and they are not cheap, we used the Sailrite one and it was used to make a sprayhood with windows, three awnings for a ketch, two fender holders, covers for the GPS and Sat C, covers for a total of six water and diesel containers on deck, a cover for a deck box, mainsail and mizzen sail covers and four winch covers so it was worth the investment, the cost is here: http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-PREMIUM-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine
Click to expand...


Now, don't call me Mr Picky, but the OP is trying to save money here, I don't think he is in the market for £1000 sewing machines if he is not keen to spend £100 on a hot knife. I am with him as well, Acrylic canvass does not fray badly

You don't need a walking foot machine for this work either, it would be nice, but I am sure that many canopies have been made by hand, with an old straight stitch Singer.
 
KellysEye said:
Use Sunbrella it's the longest lasting canvas and Dabond UV resistant thread, you will need hot knife to seal the edges of the canvas. What might put you off is you need a walking foot sewing machine to feed the canvas through and they are not cheap, we used the Sailrite one and it was used to make a sprayhood with windows, three awnings for a ketch, two fender holders, covers for the GPS and Sat C, covers for a total of six water and diesel containers on deck, a cover for a deck box, mainsail and mizzen sail covers and four winch covers so it was worth the investment, the cost is here: http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ultrafeed-LSZ-1-PREMIUM-Walking-Foot-Sewing-Machine
Click to expand...

I have always used Kayospruce http://www.kayospruce.com/index.asp?selection=category&catref=Fabrics&InBox=Acrylic PU Coated canvas. They sell all the window film and zips and thread etc. Do not try to sew with out using the double sided tape they call Venture Tape.
I have done many covers using my domestic sewing machine but with a roller foot which is essential to allow the material to pass under the foot with out snagging. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Sewing-A...1494059483&sr=8-6&keywords=roller+foot+sewing Check the height of your foot to make sure it will fit your domestic. Even though the Amazon site does not say, the foot shown has an overall height of 30mm and is 25 mm from the foot to the slot for the screw to attach to your presser rod.
Always willing to help so it you need any further advice send me a private message with your contact number.
 
Blimey.........great help, I was honestly expecting more `Noooooo dont do it` replies as when I was last considering this project.

We have a spare room that will be used to do all the sewing. If I end up with a non built in machine ( as in table type ) the machine will be sank into the 8x4 18mm ply table I am making for the job.

I did not manage to get to the machine shop as my work hours changed this week and it is closed weekends. Back to normal next week so I get an early finish towards the end of the week and I will pop over.

I have found this seller on Ebay who looks to have a good selection and is local.

This one for example.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112370467524?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


There is a lot into machines and more than thought. Moving feet, had to look up what that was for, sounds good an yet to see how much they are. If they are not to highly priced over here second hand all they can do is help. I am ok for a couple hundred pond as I will sell it on later if need be. I will be making all cabin and deck cushions so it will come in. The one I have will do that job though.


I am moving towards Topgun or others of the same/similar spec now. No hot knife needed which is a good ting and no chance of burning the canvas while trimming back :) That would be a bit of a disaster now.

I see you can get away with not using a hot knife with Sunbrella as long as you do a certain joint to keep it sealed and more waterproof. Getting a bit to far into it maybe. We will see as i go.

Practice first when i get some samples sent :)


I will see about getting some books. I struggle to see the text in books but I miss books and takes awhile to read. The internet isnt the same if you know what I mean so could be time for a magnifying glass.....by eck I am only 42 :rolleyes:


This weekend I need to prep stuff for moving the boat around so I can actually move around the boat more. Its a bit tight where it is. then size up for things. Make the fame first off.


Thanks for all the help. really appreciated. Sorry I havnt replied to individual replies but I wasnt expecting so many so soon.


Wayne :)
 
"I have found this seller on Ebay who looks to have a good selection and is local. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112370467524?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"

The above would be too light to sew canvas. You need to get an older heavier sewing machine.

Good example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...323297?hash=item2832f0a421:g:uywAAOSwA3dYMJhj

or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jones-Sewing-Machine-/262968886338?hash=item3d3a2ac442:g:bbsAAOSwax5YuYbD

Good idea to mount the machine in a large flat board or a spare kitchen work top with the round edge. You need a flat surface to be able to feed the material easily. Also try to get the widest throat size, canvas needs be folded some times to get through the machine. Good luck.
 
"The one I have will do that job though"


If you already have a machine I would give it a go, it might well get through it.

I am sure the Janome would also be fine but look at the space under the arm and compare it with the Singer 201 on the same page. Lightweight machines are often a bit constrained in this area. With larger covers you will want a bit of space here, so, just something else to consider.
 
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