killick
Well-Known Member
The zip on the on the sail cover on my boat needs replacing. Can you please advise which type of zip will be most dureable.
Sail cover zip
- Thread starter killick
- Start date
Ruffles
Well-Known Member
Google Kayospruce. I assume it will be open ended so you will need a specific length.
Sail zips are a standard size. You can get plastic or metal sliders. Zips you use a lot are best with metal sliders. Ones that are rarely moved, e.g. sprayhoods, are best with plastic sliders as they don't corrode.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
I would go for plastic sliders every time.
macd
Well-Known Member
None that I've come across is perfect. Obviously it must have plastic teeth. Then there's a choice of metal zipper, which eventually corrodes and seizes, or plastic, which eventually succumbs to UV damage (I imagine you have a lot of UV in Durban). Plastic seems to last longer, and the first thing to go is often the bit you grip, which at least can be replaced with a loop of cord through the hole. Ultimately, the fabric to which the teeth attaches dies a slow UV death, which is maybe where you are now. Obviously it helps if the sail cover itself has an overlap to shadow the fabric, but this might not be desired for other reasons. If there's such a thing as a zip with acrylic fabric, this might be the one to go for, but I don't know of one.
In other words, like most things boaty...an imperfect compromise.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
The big chunky plastic toothed zips used on sailcovers are called Vislon if made by YKK.
pandos
Well-Known Member
I replaced mine recently with one from a sail bag, but used Velcro on the section nearest the mast, very handy to get sail under control and packed away then zip up.
Regards
Tony.
