Dodgy Diver
Well-Known Member
I have a old 23ft sunseeker project. The canopy is a wreck. I think all the bits are there. Anyone know who can make a new one and aprox prices please.
Having a canopy made
- Thread starter Dodgy Diver
- Start date
Alanij
Well-Known Member
Any sailmaker near where you are should be able to make one up for you. I'm currently having a new canopy made by Owen Sails, Benderloch, for the cockpit of a 10.8m flybridge boat, but I don't know how that would compare in price to what you would require. For the record I'm paying ~£3,000.
Sneds
Well-Known Member
I paid £2800 for a new canopy on a 28’ sports cruiser
Lots of zips and various opening configurations.
This was around 10 years ago
Lots of zips and various opening configurations.
This was around 10 years ago
hinch
Well-Known Member
Full set of new canopies for my sealine s28 just cost me 2800 last month by spl covers in hull
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
Where are you based?
gyislander
Active Member
Been looking for one for my boat and found Nauticover almost half the going rate. Ok they copy from the existing one and don't fit it so you need to fix some fasteners yourself but it's pretty straightforward for a competent diyer. Booked solid until February!
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Skipper mooring near me, has been told, no chance of even starting a cover until next spring. !
Tried three companies.
Tried three companies.
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Bailey and stone in Norfolk are very good
Gavin E
Well-Known Member
We need (or to be more accurate the lady has decided she wants) new everything for our fairline 36 sedan - rear canopy, flybridge cover, bimini and re upholster the settee and seating areas.
Since this would cost a small fortune I'm doing it myself. Bought an industrial sewing machine, spent hours online teaching myself the techniques and off I went..
Settee area is done, then made some deck cushions for the bow to practice working with heavier materials. Just about to start on our flybridge cover after having made a couple of new bimini covers for friends..
It takes a little practice, but if you can't find a local sailmaker you can do it yourself.
Since this would cost a small fortune I'm doing it myself. Bought an industrial sewing machine, spent hours online teaching myself the techniques and off I went..
Settee area is done, then made some deck cushions for the bow to practice working with heavier materials. Just about to start on our flybridge cover after having made a couple of new bimini covers for friends..
It takes a little practice, but if you can't find a local sailmaker you can do it yourself.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Exactly my thoughts.
And the more you do the better you get.
My big mistake was initially buying too cheap fabric that didn't stand the harsh UV.
Gavin E
Well-Known Member
I found the same thing. As a 'can I do this ' piece I decided to make a dinghy cover first, deliberately over complicated in design with zips and velcro etc, working on the assumption that if I can pattern and then create a tight fitting cover for something cylindrical then making flat panels for canopies should present no problem. I always planned on using the best materials I could find, but thought it best to test with some cheap £10 per m material from ebay rather than use the £1200 per roll sunbrella.. cover turned out great, in a deep navy. Within four months of being on the boat it had bleached to a light grey...
Bigplumbs
Well-Known Member
Very well done you. I do a lot of DIY but sewing and upholstery scares me. Can you post some pics of your efforts and more importantly is you good lady happy with you end results
Gavin E
Well-Known Member
Here's the sofa work. Working out the stitching required for the contours of the seat cushions engaged the brain a little...
While I was at it I decided to line the box/stool with waterproof and washable lining to hold bottles and cans while they wait to be recycled.
Also chose to remove the backrest of the helm seat as we only use the boat on the Thames and never use it as a driving position, and taking the back off really adds more space to the whole area.
Some of the spare material left over has been used to line the shelf behind the sofa.
We were quoted £2400 for this job - which was how the DIY idea was born - and the materials to do it ourselves cost around £600.
Her ladyship is very happy with the results.
No photos of the deck cushions at the moment as we only put them out when the sun shows, so they havent had as much use as we'd like this year. Currently stacked in the spare cabin, but I can add a couple of photos the next time they get put out.
DavidJ
Well-Known Member
Gavin that’s seriously impressive
Just had a quote for a camper cover for my S37 (in Spain) at £3250 incl tax which I guess is about right in the scheme of things.
Just had a quote for a camper cover for my S37 (in Spain) at £3250 incl tax which I guess is about right in the scheme of things.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
I've been making my cockpit covers for our Princess 67 for less than £100.
I took the latest set out in June but apart from checking that they will fit, I haven't yet finished the poppers etc off
We are off to the boat tomorrow - I might find some time to fit them - if I do, I will post some photos.
I found the manufacturer of the PVC material that Princess use so no more bad UV materials.
If you buy the PVC in 25m rolls it is less than £3 per square metre.
Great material to work with but probably difficult with a domestic machine - the Sailrite handles it in its stride.
They only have 3 colours as well.
EDIT
Here's a pic of the PVC material that Princess use.
The inside of the fabric is smooth but the outside (viewed here) has a kind of linen look (in deed, that how the manufacturer refers to it)
I made this example to check out how to fit the zips and luff rope slider.
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Gavin E
Well-Known Member
I'll be amazed if cockpit covers don't get added to the wish list at some point and I'll be needing the material. Do you have a link?
I've got a few samples from various places and the quality difference can be pretty obvious - especially for window vinyl.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Its the C7456 on this page that I'm using:-
on this page:-
Marine, Sports & Leisure | Lows of Dundee | Industrial Textiles
Here is a pic of a colour swatch that they sent me - I use the grey and white - the blue is a bit bright IMO:-
You will need to set up an account and then buy the fabric in rolls.
The white comes 2180mm wide by 25m long
The grey is 2050mm wide but 50m long - and believe me, it is heavy.
But, IMO, a really good all rounder material.
I believe that Timbad (on this forum) has just made a front screen cover out of the white PVC
For window material, I'm using the medium weight stuff from Point North/Profabrics
This is the page:-
Window - Marine | Profabrics
Even cheaper if you can get an account with Kayospruce.
There are more expensive window materials but, to date, I haven't had a huge problem with the window material.
Yes, it does suffer from UV but by the time that windows need replacing, the covers will have shrunk anyway.
Shrinkage is the biggest issue with external covers.
Having the ability to make the covers yourself means that you don't feel so bad making another set every 5 or 6 years.
And for as little as £100 it is kind of a "no brainer".
Very satisfying as well.
Professional covers will have shrunk by then and will be getting difficult to put on anyway.
As I said above, my big problem was initially buying very cheap canvas that didn't survive the strong UV in the Med.
This pic shows the covers made from the cheap canvas.
And a year later:-
You can see the window material was fine but the cheap canvas just fell apart.
The PVC fabric that I mention above is way better.
The covers that came with the boat lasted 8 to 10 years (I made them last 10 years by using them as winter covers)
Now that I've found the cheap source of PVC, I'm using that material everywhere - dinghy covers etc.
Like this
DavidJ
Well-Known Member
Some impressive bits of sowing there.
I‘m interested why you are preferring not to use Sunbrella as I’m just about to place my order.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
In your case, Sunbrella (probably Sunbrella Plus for a canopy) or Sauleda (I believe a Spanish brand) would probably be best for your canopy.
I've used Sauleda which is about two thirds the cost of Sunbrella and IMO equally as good.
If I were making it myself, I would probably have a go with the white PVC - just because it wouldn't cost me much.
But, if you are paying for canopy, you want it to look like the original which I assume would have been navy blue.
For me, the PVC is cheap and works well but in your case, it is probably best to stick to the traditional canvas fabrics.
That said, with plenty of time, it would be fun to make a set in the grey PVC - as in the colour swatch above.
I know the professionals say that you shouldn't but if I were in your position, I would use your old covers as a template.
When I've done this before, I have estimated the shrinkage and allowed some extra fabric - worked reasonably well.
Best to order and forget though.