Hardcore 100% waterproof fabric for sprayhood/bimini recommendations

[demonboy]

We'd like to replace our sprayhood and bimini material. They were made from Sunbrella and lasted a few years but what we're really after is 100% waterproof, bombproof vinyl/rexine sort of thing. Doing some research into this now so looking for suggestions, brands etc.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Jamie

 

[sailorman]

weathermax 80

 

[demonboy]

weathermax 80

Is Weathermax80 only water-resistant with an added waterproof coating? From what I've read it needs treating every few years. I'm after something that is made of waterproof fabric (i.e. no need to treat it).

 

[sailorman]

Is Weathermax80 only water-resistant with an added waterproof coating? From what I've read it needs treating every few years. I'm after something that is made of waterproof fabric (i.e. no need to treat it).

dunno check their site, my new sprayhood is made with it

 

[PetiteFleur]

PVC Material should do, waterproof and should last for years. Or Acrylic canvas PVC Coated. See Kayospruce, they are very helpful.

 

[sailorman]

PVC Material should do, waterproof and should last for years. Or Acrylic canvas PVC Coated. See Kayospruce, they are very helpful.

the OP will be subject to intense uv in Thailand so pvc might not work well

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

the OP will be subject to intense uv in Thailand so pvc might not work well

The first sail cover that I made was in PVC-covered fabric. As you say the UV (Mediterranean, in my case) did not go too well with it. I made the replacement out of treated Sunbrella and that has lasted for many years.

 

[TeamSpirit]

Top gun fabric will do the job for you - kayospruce stock it in a range of colours. Have my winter cover made of it and it is coated both sides so is entirely waterproof, doesn't need any proofing and washes clean. in second winter season and as good as new ! Should stand up to UV without probs.

 

[Tradewinds]

Stitching is often a weak point.

I know you can get UV thread but I don't know what the actual lifespan would be in the Tropics. It's a bit of a bummer when your spray hood starts to disintegrate at the (expensive) seams but the material is still good.

Re Material - I always thought that Sunbrella was supposed to be the best. Make sure that you actually get what you ask for - the acrylic they made my sprayhood from in NZ was supposed to be 'Sunbrella', but wasn't . Said it would last for 'years' - it didn't.

Surely your cruising chums in your neck of the woods (esp the Americans) would have a good idea what the best stuff is - they're usually pretty clued up. I don't think that our predominantly UK-centric forum is necessarily the best place to ask advice on materials best suited for the tropics - unless they are currently liveaboard in the Med/Tropics or recently so (my experience was from 20 years ago).

Be interesting to see what is suggested.

I really enjoy your videos btw.

 

[doug748]

I once made a folding dinghy with this stuff:

http://www.stuartcanvascovers.com/product/tension-curtains/?gclid=COq9xais3sECFe3LtAodBFwAyw

 

[Sarnia]

We'd like to replace our sprayhood and bimini material. They were made from Sunbrella and lasted a few years but what we're really after is 100% waterproof, bombproof vinyl/rexine sort of thing. Doing some research into this now so looking for suggestions, brands etc.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Jamie

For me Sunbrella is the best, but try asking Sailrite in the USA, they are extremely helpfull, something like 1000 'how to videos which helped me when i made new ones

 

[TimBennet]

If you want it to last and last, you can make the sprayhood (at least) out of GRP or aluminium.

Replicating the panel lay out from a canvas one makes them the most aesthetically pleasing (IMHO), although with more flat areas like the Halberg Rassey ones, allow you to use real glass which increases their hassle free longevity even further.

If you are in tropical climes, make sure you mount a couple of 10x10 opening hatches in the top for ventilation, or have the centre flat window opening if you're going with the real glass option in frames.

 

[KellysEye]

>They were made from Sunbrella and lasted a few years

I'm surprised our Sunbrella spray hood lasted 5 years in Caribbean UV, with occasional waterproofing.

 

[sailorman]

For me Sunbrella is the best, but try asking Sailrite in the USA, they are extremely helpfull, something like 1000 'how to videos which helped me when i made new ones

http://www.safetycomponents.com/WeatherMAX/Marine/index.html

 

[vyv_cox]

We had a spray hood and a cockpit tent made from Sunbrella about 12 years ago. Both seemed to be waterproof but shrunk so badly after a few years that they no longer fitted the boat. We had a new spray hood made around five years ago, it almost never sees rain but it has also shrunk very badly. We have had a bimini for about 10 years, no idea if it is waterproof but it has shrunk quite a bit. Every one of these items has been restitched due to total failure of the thread in UV. Our new stackpack was stitched with PTFE thread that resists UV but we paid an additional £75 for it.

 

[charles_reed]

We had a spray hood and a cockpit tent made from Sunbrella about 12 years ago. Both seemed to be waterproof but shrunk so badly after a few years that they no longer fitted the boat. We had a new spray hood made around five years ago, it almost never sees rain but it has also shrunk very badly. We have had a bimini for about 10 years, no idea if it is waterproof but it has shrunk quite a bit. Every one of these items has been restitched due to total failure of the thread in UV. Our new stackpack was stitched with PTFE thread that resists UV but we paid an additional £75 for it.

Precisely my experience - the Sunbrella, after 12 years in the med has shrunk about 10%, the clear plastic had to be replaced twice and all the stitching been re-done twice. However I've had quite a bit of change from £75 in having the restitching done, twice in allegedly UV resistant thread.
My observations are that PVC coated materials have all succumbed to UV faster than acrylic canvas. One thing the Sunbrella has never done is leak, except through stitching holes.

 

[typhoonNige]

weathermax 80

We had a boom tent made out of this. Good for shade but lets the rain through if it touches anything (e.g.our boom). I wouldn't use it again.

 

[TQA]

The stuff you want is called Stamoid. Made by Serge Ferrari and comes with a 5 or 7 year warranty.

My bimini and dodger were made using it and it outlasted the stitching and transparent stuff. At 8 years I had it replaced mainly because it had gone black with mold in a couple of places where I leaned against it. Mine was white.

 

[andygc]

weathermax 80

Despite the manufacturer's claims, Weathermax is not waterproof. My sailmaker made three winter covers for my boat.
No 1, Weathermax, at my expense. It rained inside just as much as outside.
No 2, New supply of Weathermax at supplier's expense (oh sorry, the first was a defective batch). Ditto.
No 3, Acrylic canvas. Sailmaker supplied, eventually he got a refund from Weathermax supplier. Dry inside when raining outside.

Conclusion. Weathermax is really nice to handle and much lighter than acrylic canvas, but it's FA use for a boat cover. It might be OK for a sprayhood if you don't mind some water getting in.

 

[charles_reed]

It always amuses me how people rush to recommend, to others, their latest purchase.

Me I'd wait for a few years and see how it performs before expressing an opinion.

Most sailmakers (and marine awning makers) to who I've spoken seem to think highly of acrylic canvas (though not all laud Sunbrella, opining that it's now trading on its reputation). My spray hood has certainly shrunk amazingly and the sewing has disintegrated frequently, so I fear we will none of us be able to meet th OP's "hardcore 100% waterproof fabric".
The lateral approach, of making it in GRP & closed cell foam is one I've seen quite frequently on highly competent globe-girdling boats, two were fabulously finished, 3 suffered unfortunate shortfalls.