Sunbrella alternatives?

[Tim Good]

I've tried a cheaper marine type sunbrella alternative from eBay is is faded very quickly. My Bimini was made from something, assume it is sunbrella, and has stayed navy blue for years without treatment.

Is Sunbrella the only decent marine fabric for things like covers, spray hoods and so forth or is the Uk based alternative?

 

[pvb]

Weathermax is the alternative. Whichever you choose, be sure to go for the very best UV-resistant thread.

 

[Plum]

I've tried a cheaper marine type sunbrella alternative from eBay is is faded very quickly. My Bimini was made from something, assume it is sunbrella, and has stayed navy blue for years without treatment.

Is Sunbrella the only decent marine fabric for things like covers, spray hoods and so forth or is the Uk based alternative?

My favourite fabric for covers is Topgun. I have made several covers from it which have not faded or lost any flexibility or shrunk and the oldest one is now 12 years old and working well although it is looking a bit grubby. Totally waterproof.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[[3889]]

My favourite fabric for covers is Topgun. I have made several covers from it which have not faded or lost any flexibility or shrunk and the oldest one is now 12 years old and working well although it is looking a bit grubby. Totally waterproof.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I also have a Topgun canopy and it is more robust than Sunbrella. Not sure where to source it though. Mine was from Martex Marine who have ceased trading.

 

[colind3782]

I also have a Topgun canopy and it is more robust than Sunbrella. Not sure where to source it though. Mine was from Martex Marine who have ceased trading.

A quick google came up with a few suppliers

 

[richardbrennan]

Just had a new sprayhood from Dolphin Sails with which I am very pleased. They use Weathermax and I believe make the covers for Oyster Yachts, if that's enough of a recommendation for you.

 

[Strolls]

Is Sunbrella the only decent marine fabric for things like covers, spray hoods and so forth or is the Uk based alternative?

Worth noting that Sunbrella is available in different varieties - Tecsew have posted here about this in the past.

Their website says they use "Sunbrella Plus for exterior covers, as an optional upgrade … Sunbrella Supreme."

Think they reckon that's the best.

http://www.tecsew.com/faqs

 

[tudorsailor]

I am thinking of using a fabric from agua.

The link is http://www.aguafabrics.com/collection/aura/

It is 100% treated polyester and meets a higher fire retardancy to that of Sunbrella. It is a hard wearing fabric that has been used extensively on boats and cruise liners. The collection is called Aura.

Tudorsailor

 

[Saltram31]

Topnotch one sided polyester is light,waterproof and very easy to clean seagull mess,compared to Acrylic canvas. Also easier to handle.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have now had three hoods made in Sunbrella. After a few years (5-8) the material shrinks until ultimately it will no longer fit the boat. I have had a similar problem with a winter cockpit cover that we made, possibly in Topgun. This lasted for nearly 20 years of winters but finally succumbed to shrinkage and rot. My new hood has been made in Weathermax 80 with Tenara thread, which my sailmaker suggests is likely to resist shrinkage (and UV damage) for the longest time.