Getting all new canvas enclosures.

[akintosyali]

I am getting the top of the driving area done, and while at it, I would like to get the back covered and the sides covered as well. I know there are lots of opinions on this, but I am going to ask the questions anyway:

1-Most canvas guys here is recommending Sunbrella supreme for Chicago weather. (super hot in summer, super cold in winter- not typical southern climate Some also commented a vinyl backed sunbrella too. Any suggestions on the vinyl back sunbrella? Does it last longer than supreme??

2-I was first thinking about black color - but then I heard black color could fade. Any one has black canvas? Comments on if it gets hot or color fades?

3-For windows, they are recommending (strata glass) 4 gauge on front windows and 3 gauge on the sides and back. Is that good material? Does the gauge difference sound right?

 

[Bugsy]

We used stamoid (from sailrite) but weblon was an alternative. We used 40 mil strata on 3 sides and "Clear" on the back (all from Sailrite).

Just completed and quite pleased.

We're at the mouth of the St.Clair River.

 

[Paul45c]

I can't speak for northern climes, but down south 40 ga. Strataglass is pretty standard on soft enclosures w/either stamoid or weblon for the vinyl.

 

[Sparky1]

I have black canvas on my 58, and so far it's holding up very well... except for the fact I found my bimini had been ripped when I dropped by to check on her on the way back from the HOF rendezvous.

Seems they had straight line winds of 70+MPH and were actually worried about the roof flying off the covered slips. Luckily it just tore the stitches from the first two bow pockets.

I had Strataglass on a SR (Walter P take note) and loved it. No doubt I'll go with that when the time comes for another enclosure. Back to the black canvas, I get different stories on it being hotter or cooler than lighter colors, so maybe somebody else can chime in on that. I don't see fading as being an issue if you go with Sunbrella.

 

[TopHattandTails]

For the windows- in areas that will stay down and not typically be opened, I'd go with EZ2CY. Stiffer, better clarity, can be flipped up- but not terribly user friendly if your going to be opening / rolling that panel.

 

[bobk]

Black has to be hotter than any other color... simple physics. Most Sunbrella colors hold up well. I persaonally don't like the vinyl backed stuff if the fabric will ever be taken down as it will begin to crack.

ZIPPERS. The best zipper in my opinion ir the marine grade made by Riri. Believe it is a Swiss firm. Appears to have good UV resistance. Most YKK stuff lasts three years. Riri costs about $1 more per zipper. Balance that against $50 to replace a lesser grade.

Bob

 

[fissioneng]

I inherited my enclosure, so I am not sure of the specs, but I think it is black Sunbrella Supreme with Strataglas. I also had black Sunbrella on my old boat and it never faded. My current enclosure looks like new and it is at least 5 years old.

Strataglas is finicky, you need to use their cleaners or you void the warranty. It also stains easily from suntan lotion. I have a permanent stain from something like that.

I am in Virginia, so we have mild winters and hot summers.

 

[Sparky1]

Black has to be hotter than any other color... simple physics.

No doubt the black fabric will absorb more heat, but will that make it hotter or cooler while sitting beneath it?

Lots of Florida boats use black canvas, but I've heard arguments both ways as to it being cooler in terms of the amount of heat that will pass through it. I like the look of black canvas, and there's little doubt it's easier to keep clean vs lighter colors, especially white.

 

[bobk]

Heat will transfer via two mechanisms. Conduction, which will not likely change with color, and radiation which I believe follows absorption... darker is more effective. Convection doesn't play a role in this issue.

Bob

 

[fissioneng]

Heat will transfer via two mechanisms. Conduction, which will not likely change with color, and radiation which I believe follows absorption... darker is more effective. Convection doesn't play a role in this issue.

Well, anything the sun heats up, is caused by radiation from the sun. Likewise, whatever is heated up, loses heat via radiation. Dark colors are better at radiating than light colors. That's why wood stoves are usually black.

Now, if your canvas is a FB enclosure, and it has air moving around it, it will lose heat via convection too.

The only way you would have conduction is if you head was bumping into the canvas!

Now whether or not a dark color makes a hotter FB or not, I don't know.

 

[stormchaser]

ZIPPERS. The best zipper in my opinion ir the marine grade made by Riri. Believe it is a Swiss firm. Appears to have good UV resistance. Most YKK stuff lasts three years. Riri costs about $1 more per zipper. Balance that against $50 to replace a lesser grade.

Bob

What about metal zippers? Better than plastic?

 

[the kuz]

I'll second the Riri brand zippers. They not only work better, but they last about 2X as long as most other brands. Regardless of which material you use/have for clear areas, there should be a boarder of fabric (Sunbrella is my choice) around each panel wide enough to sew the zipper to without having to penetrate the clear material (can't with EZ2C, but can sew right through Statoglass). I have a commercial machine, and do all my own canvas work - it is not hard to replace zippers. Just be sure to mark the locations of the old ones and match up the replacements exactly. When you order zippers, be sure to note pull tag (one or two sides), and they typically come in multiples of one foot. Curved areas are a little more trouble, but just use lots of straight pins and/or 2 sided seaming tape. Any canvas shop can sew in new zippers for you, but best if you get a price with you providing the zippers to avoid their mark up on materials. Also there are several brands of "lifetime" thread - well worth the investment - your seems will never split before the canvas fails.

Regards, Bob K

 

[bobk]

What about metal zippers? Better than plastic?

Dave, I have no experience with metal zippers in a marine environment. I could see a brass zipper leaving a blue green streak on the paint below it. And it would likely require more lubrication than plastic.

Bob

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

One of the reasons for black is lack of fading, even after several years. Be sure to get maximum tint on the strata-glass. You won't be sorry. One other thing, be sure to ask for extra wide zipper flaps with added snaps at the bottom corners on your "U" openings. Will go a long way toward keeping rain water out.

 

[stormchaser]

Re: Getting all new canvas enclosures

More importantly...you moved thus changing more than just adding a router. Can you try and connect/play without the router to see what type of results you get then?

Can somebody ban the spammer, please?