mackerel man
New Member
Hi recently bought 535 got the metal canopy frame does anyone have plans on how to make a new canvas canopy
Shetland 535 canopy plans help
- Thread starter mackerel man
- Start date
coopec
N/A
Surely an ambitious project (presumably) without the proper equipment? It is certainly not something I would tackle but then again I am getting my boat upholsterer to make up winch covers when he gets a few minutes.
http://www.shetlandowners.co.uk/shetland/viewtopic.php?t=3182
Clive
Last edited:
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
In general, canopies are made on a one off basis, as minor variations in the frames, positioning of fasteners etc all mean that each canopy is pretty much a one off. To make a pattern, use cord to support the frame in position. Then use medium weight plastic sheet, fixed to the frame using double sided tape, to produce a pattern. Draw round the shape of each piece and then cut them out. Do a check on the frame so to ensure the piece fit together properly: that's your pattern.
Having watched the people who produced our sprayhood, it's not a job to do in any sort of wind! Once you have you pattern, you'll need to mark up where any windows are required and so forth. Making up the pattern will not be easy, especially if you don't have a reasonably robust sewing machine. Don't forget to use UV resistant thread, or the whole thing will fall to bits in a couple of years.
We've made a set of chaps for the dinghy using the method outlined and used a couple of cheap B&Q shower curtains to make the pattern. It wasn't easy turning flat material into a 3D shape.....
Having watched the people who produced our sprayhood, it's not a job to do in any sort of wind! Once you have you pattern, you'll need to mark up where any windows are required and so forth. Making up the pattern will not be easy, especially if you don't have a reasonably robust sewing machine. Don't forget to use UV resistant thread, or the whole thing will fall to bits in a couple of years.
We've made a set of chaps for the dinghy using the method outlined and used a couple of cheap B&Q shower curtains to make the pattern. It wasn't easy turning flat material into a 3D shape.....
mackerel man
New Member
Many thanks will try and let
know
know
coliholic
Well-Known Member
Watched the upholsterer make the pattern for our canopy a few years ago and he did much as Duncan's said, in fact sounds so similar could have been the same chappie. Only thing he did slightly different was to use clear polythene as the pattern material. He said it was easier to line everything up and marked it all up with a thick black board marker and coloured one's for zips, darts, fittings etc. When he did the first trial fit it didn't quite line up so he took it away and redid it so if you're doing your own, just make sure you've got enough material for rework
mackerel man
New Member
Many thanks boating on a budget never easy
