Sunbrella vs Weathermax 80

[Nina Lucia]

Just about to order new spray hood and stuck pack, we need to decide what material to use. Weathermax 80 or Sunbrella?
Any experiences ?
Thanks

 

[burgundyben]

I'll be interested to see what replies you get, I am considering Sunbrella, Top Gun and Sauleda.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Too many choices!
Positive and negatives of these four ?

 

[duncan99210]

I’ve been using generic acrylic canvas for projects on the boat, including a new stack pack. Made the stack pack 5 years ago and there’s no sign of any degradation in the stack so far.... To my mind, there’s not enough difference to be worth the extra cost.

 

[Old Harry]

Just about to order new spray hood and stuck pack, we need to decide what material to use. Weathermax 80 or Sunbrella?
Any experiences ?
Thanks

wethermax 80 & rot proof thread

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Weathermax needs to be PU coated for a hood ,it’s lighter and puckers when sewn .
Generic acrylics Sunbrella Sauleda etc, tend to look smarter longer , and retain a bit more fabric resilance.
A five year old Weathermax cover will be a floppy thing,
Both retain the colour fastness well .Paler colours in either type will stain and mildew equally.

 

[Old Harry]

Weathermax needs to be PU coated for a hood ,it’s lighter and puckers when sewn .
Generic acrylics Sunbrella Sauleda etc, tend to look smarter longer , and retain a bit more fabric resilance.
A five year old Weathermax cover will be a floppy thing,
Both retain the colour fastness well .Paler colours in either type will stain and mildew equally.

Well mine is still a tight as a drum

 

[tjbrace]

Pleased with my Weathermax spray hood, dodgers, and genoa uv strip. Still have Sunbrella stackpack but that will be Weathermaxd at some time.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Who made it? Thanks

 

[tjbrace]

Who made it? Thanks

The genoa was by Gowans/Dolphin and the uv strip was my intro to Weathermax. I then had the sprayhood made by One Sails/Parker & Kay at Suffolk Yacht Harbour. The dodgers are homemade.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have had two hoods in Sunbrella. After around five years both had shrunk so much in Greek sunshine that they would not fit the boat. Stitching had been repaired due to UV rot. I was advised to use Weathermax as it is more stable. Only two years on, so no useful report yet. Also had PTFE thread, as mentioned above.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Definitely more votes for Weathermax 80, than Sunbrella. Dolphin and Kemp recommend Weathermax, and Tecsew and Wilkinson prefer Sunbrella. It would interesting to find out more experiences. I will check other sailmakers and update this forum.

 

[Graham376]

Weathermax needs to be PU coated for a hood ,it’s lighter and puckers when sewn .
Generic acrylics Sunbrella Sauleda etc, tend to look smarter longer , and retain a bit more fabric resilance.
A five year old Weathermax cover will be a floppy thing,
Both retain the colour fastness well .Paler colours in either type will stain and mildew equally.

I use Sauleda Sea Star Masacril Marine. Sail cover, cockpit tent, bimini, dinghy chaps and dodgers all OK after 8 - 10 years in high UV area. Will use again for new sprayhood which is close to time expired at 15 years.