Zips or turn buttons for canvas canopy ?

waynes world

waynes world

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Ok i cant decide as usual. I am thinking that Zips will be better and easier to fit while making this new canopy i am doing for the cruiser.

Is there a reason most seem to be Turn Buttons for canvas to canvas to sway me that way for the rear and side panels/doors ?

What opinions on both in fitting and use ?

Captain Faffer :)
 
waynes world said:
Ok i cant decide as usual. I am thinking that Zips will be better and easier to fit while making this new canopy i am doing for the cruiser.

Is there a reason most seem to be Turn Buttons for canvas to canvas to sway me that way for the rear and side panels/doors ?

What opinions on both in fitting and use ?

Captain Faffer :)
Click to expand...

depends a lot on how much disturbance it will experience in use? every trip on the water or 2 or 3 times a season? Stitching tends to last longer if interfered with less... Zips can seize up as can turnbuttons?
 
I used zips wherever possible, including where the rear canopy fits to the sprayhood and for all doors and roll up portions. I used 'Lift the Dots' fittings for fixing to the deck where possible.
 
pagoda said:
depends a lot on how much disturbance it will experience in use? every trip on the water or 2 or 3 times a season? Stitching tends to last longer if interfered with less... Zips can seize up as can turnbuttons?
Click to expand...

They will be used every other trip to the boat, well one side at least. Although on canals so should not get as bad a weather beating as on the sea.


PetiteFleur said:
I used zips wherever possible, including where the rear canopy fits to the sprayhood and for all doors and roll up portions. I used 'Lift the Dots' fittings for fixing to the deck where possible.
Click to expand...

That was my idea also. How long have you used or had the zips fitted,are they still in good working order?


Another reason i like zips is o think it gives a tidier look to the canopy.

Thanks for the replies ;)
 
Zips for joining bits together, lift the dot, turnbuckles or Tenax fasteners for connecting to the deck. Using any point attachment system between pieces of canvas is an invitation for the wind to get underneath and separate them.
Zips aren’t difficult to sew in with a little bit of forethought and planing to minimise bulky masses of canvas going through the machine.
 
Zip every time, don't forget to design in a flap, covering the zip when closed, to help protect from UV damage.
 
bigwow said:
Zip every time, don't forget to design in a flap, covering the zip when closed, to help protect from UV damage.
Click to expand...

Yes i have designed in flaps over all zips for this reason.

Well looks like my thoughts were correct to most. One reason i like the idea of zips for better protection.

Thanks for the input as always.

Captain Faffer :)
 
You can buy plastic sail track, specifically for covers, you can sew a thin ribbon of cloth to the sail track and the zip to the ribbon. The sail track is flexible and the other half of the track can be screwed to the vessel. This now means you have a completely zipped cover with no gaps that can allow wind to lift the cover.

Ant marine cover specialist will supply the track or wholesalers of fabric, studs, butterfly clips, elastic and buttons etc etc
 
Neeves said:
You can buy plastic sail track, specifically for covers, you can sew a thin ribbon of cloth to the sail track and the zip to the ribbon. The sail track is flexible and the other half of the track can be screwed to the vessel. This now means you have a completely zipped cover with no gaps that can allow wind to lift the cover.

Ant marine cover specialist will supply the track or wholesalers of fabric, studs, butterfly clips, elastic and buttons etc etc
Click to expand...


So your saying use this instead of turn buttons.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=465184&stc=1&d=1508744508



I like that idea but got all the fittings now. Still i will look into it later, thanks for that.
 
'Sail track' is just one way to secure fabric to a hard surface, press studs and butterflies are other options. They all have their uses - sail track did not come up in the thread - it seemed an option worth a mention.

We have a targa to which we have sail track attached, but we also use elastics with buttons or hooks, press studs and butterflies.

The sail track gives a continuous connection and is totally wind proof, or has been for a couple of decades. We use elastics to tension the covers, secured by the sailtrack. The main cover comes in four pieces, joined by zips. Elastics we use on 'covers' over port lights (so we can have them open, direct draft - and keep the rain off). We use press studs on smaller covers, small hatches and lights (simply a stud in each corner).

We have made all the covers ourselves, manual Singer, Sunbrella fabric. needles and thread for jeans. Stainless press studs etc and zips from Bainbridge. For the press studs (and some eyelet holes) you do need a 'special' tool. You also need a lot of paper, or old sheets, to make templates. Don't try to make a 3 dimensional cover 'in one go' make up one 'edge' try for fit, then seam the sides, try for fit then seam the bottom etc.

Jonathan

Our covers are primarily for sun, but when it rains here - it does rain!
 
waynes world said:
So your saying use this instead of turn buttons.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=465184&stc=1&d=1508744508



I like that idea but got all the fittings now. Still i will look into it later, thanks for that.
Click to expand...

I use that rope mold when fixing my side awning at the top with turn buttons or elastic loops to hold the awning closed.

My pram canopy is also fixed to the wheel house roof with the same rope mold.

There is also a plastic one available

https://www.google.co.za/search?biw....0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i5i30.b2nDZbRyBns
 
Wayne - I should have made clear - our 'sail track' are plastic extrusions, both the male and female portions. Here they come in black or white. You screw the female part to the coachroof, or whereever, and can sew the male part, with a decent sewing machine to the cover itself. The aluminium extrusions would be difficult to take round tight curves (though feeding any cover round tight curves is not easy - silicone spray makes it easier).

You can buy custom made elastic loops, we simply make a loop from fabric and attach elastic.

Most of the 'stuff' for making covers, the sail track, press studs, buttons etc etc can be bought from one wholesale outlet - Bainbridge would be a good place to start (here they are distributors for Sunbrella etc).

Jonathan
 
So then zips for material to material all around then. As i wanted :)


Now then the runners. I am thinking it will be to much to follow the sides from hardtop to transom corner as here in the pic. Along with the zips to follow the tight bends that will be needed. Only way o can see it is being in three sections, also there is a step/edge at the bottom.

20190320-134512.jpg
 
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