Do canopys shrink?

[wipe_out]

Been looking at the canopy on the boat we just bought and it doesn't fit at all.. The issue is that many of the "poppers" (or whatever the correct term is) are quite far from where they need to be.. The front screen panel doesn't even reach the top of the wind screen..

Do canopys shrink this much that they don't fit at all?
or
Do I need to look at the frame fitting and see if it can be adjusted to make it fit better?

 

[Caliban]

I'd go with the latter, especially if you have completely removed the canopy recently.
I'm pretty sure the canvas ones don't shrink, the plastic ones surely don't.

 

[wipe_out]

Actually the more I am thinking about it the more it seems logical that the frame needs adjusting.. Of course the previous owner has ripped the zips off in a few places and ripped the window from the canvas on one of the panels so there is going to be quite a few repairs needed but that's definitely going to be cheaper than replacing panels..

 

[longjohnsilver]

Been looking at the canopy on the boat we just bought and it doesn't fit at all.. The issue is that many of the "poppers" (or whatever the correct term is) are quite far from where they need to be.. The front screen panel doesn't even reach the top of the wind screen..

Do canopys shrink this much that they don't fit at all?
or
Do I need to look at the frame fitting and see if it can be adjusted to make it fit better?

My experience is that they do very gradually shrink over the years, no idea why.

 

[Nick_H]

Some covers are designed such that the zips tension them, so you have to fit them in the right order. Normally you start the zips off but don't do them up. Next attach the press stud at one end of a run, then the press stud at the other end. This tensions the length of canvas between them, so the remaining press studs on that run are easier to fit, rather than trying to stretch a small section of canvas for each subsequent stud. When all the press studs are attached, do the zips up and this will tension the whole cover so that it looks well fitted and doesn't flap around. This is all harder to do in the winter when the cover is cold.

I'd try this before modifying anything.

 

[Nick_H]

My experience is that they do very gradually shrink over the years, no idea why.

I was convinced the covers on a new boat I was buying had shrunk, and the surveyor confirmed it, but Jim from JB came down and showed me the method above and it fitted perfectly, so even surveyors get this wrong.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I was convinced the covers on a new boat I was buying had shrunk, and the surveyor confirmed it, but Jim from JB came down and showed me the method above and it fitted perfectly, so even surveyors get this wrong.

Interesting Nick, there seems to be no logic to them shrinking, just what I've seen on at least 3 older boats where the canopy obviously was made for the boat but no longer fits properly. And these were simple smallish canopies so no issues with fitting one way or another.

PS I haven't seen you mention your lovely Windy for sale for a few days, still available?!

 

[CaptainMike1970]

I agree with Nick_H when you have been shown the correct way to fit canopies they tension up and fit much more easily, like Nick we had Jim at JB give us a teach-in as to how to fit our canopies.

Additionally last year I took the canopies off the old boat, jet washed them, rewaterproofed them with fabseal and then when I went to refit them they were at least 1 - 2 inchs short of where they needed to get to!! I struggled but they would not fit! They had shrunk!!

Answer was two fold, 1) fit them in correct sequence but more importantly 2) get them hot! In this weather you will struggle to get the cockpit warm / hot enough with fan heaters etc but if you roll up the canopies and put them in the engine compartment and go out for a blast for an hour or so they will warm up thoroughly and be much easier to install.

Mike

 

[Thepipdoc]

If you wet the canvas well prior to trying to fit it you'll find you gain a significant increase in size.

 

[wipe_out]

So what is the most "common" correct order to fit the canopy? Front to back, sides then front then back oar all at the same time?

Do you connect ALL the press studs first before zipping or just the first and last and then the others after zipping?

I might pop down tomorrow and see if I can improve things..

 

[Tender_aft]

Actually the more I am thinking about it the more it seems logical that the frame needs adjusting.. Of course the previous owner has ripped the zips off in a few places and ripped the window from the canvas on one of the panels so there is going to be quite a few repairs needed but that's definitely going to be cheaper than replacing panels..

Sounds like you need to get your sewing machine out

 

[mlines]

I seem to have the opposite. Mine appear to have stretched of the years and become very loose fitting.

 

[gsturgeon]

Mine have

Sorry have to disagree.

After five years, I renewed the covers on my Bayliner because the glazing was murky. I had the idea that I would use the old ones overwinter and preserve the new ones. After one season, it was impossible to fit the old ones, in fact I managed to split a window whilst trying.
Currently, version three is on order because the only way to fit number two is to adjust the frame - and the glazing is murky.

 

[dash300]

Sunbrella who many canopy makers use, claim no stetch or shrinkage from their fabric.
Mine has only been on for 12 months so a little early to tell.

 

[paultallett]

Sorry have to disagree.

After five years, I renewed the covers on my Bayliner because the glazing was murky. I had the idea that I would use the old ones overwinter and preserve the new ones. After one season, it was impossible to fit the old ones, in fact I managed to split a window whilst trying.
Currently, version three is on order because the only way to fit number two is to adjust the frame - and the glazing is murky.

Did you know windows can be replace and if done properly, you wouldn't even know. I use my old set as a winter cover but do have to heat them with a fan heat to get them to fit. Same goes when I put my 'good' set back on at the start of the season, heater has to come out again!!

 

[Robin B]

Brasso will make plastic windows clear again. I did this on my old convertible car and it worked a treat.

 

[gsturgeon]

Actually, the covers are so taut that the stitching is popping and the glazing is burnt on the south side next to the supports.

On my first boat, we heated the covers by keeping them in a locker over the engine which made fitting them much easier but still the stitching suffered when they cooled.

A previous boat had all the stitching sealed with mastic but that became filthy with time.

I wish I could afford a boat with a hardtop....

 

[oGaryo]

So what is the most "common" correct order to fit the canopy? Front to back, sides then front then back oar all at the same time?

Do you connect ALL the press studs first before zipping or just the first and last and then the others after zipping?

I might pop down tomorrow and see if I can improve things..

Here's what I used to do on a canopy fitted to a tight Rinker 250:

1. Clip on the windscreen
2. Bring the main canopy forward with it attached to the frame at the rear but have the font zips undone half way where it attaches to the front bar of the frame
3. zip the main canopy to the windscreen but again, only do the zips up half way
4. Zip in the side screen panels doing the zips up fully to the main canopy and the vertical zippers on the windscreen
5. Secure the poppers down the side of the boat to secure the side screens to the boat
6. Zip on the rear canopy to the main canopy and then secure to the boat with the poppers. leave the door zip open when doing so to reduce the lateral tension
7. Go back to the front of the boat and complete the zipping of the windscreen to the main canopy section
8. Likewise completely zip up the main canopy around the bar at the front of the frame
9. zip up the door... job done and takes 5 mins when you get good at it

Also, get hold of one of these, they're worth their weight in gold

http://www.savvyboater.com/store/p/16451-Top-Snapper-Stainless-Canvas-Snap-Tool.aspx

 

[Thepipdoc]

That tool looks a neat thing to have in the toolbox.

 

[Why Not]

I find that my canopy is much easier to fit on a warm summer day.

When the weather is cold, it is hard work on the old thumbs!