Canvas Recommendations

[JusDreaming]

We are in the process of getting a new bimini/dodger for the boat. We will be in the Stuart area and would love some input, bad or good, for some people to do the job

[Maren]

Originally Posted by JusDreaming

We are in the process of getting a new bimini/dodger for the boat. We will be in the Stuart area and would love some input, bad or good, for some people to do the job

Complete Marine in Vero.

[Talbot]

Are you looking for recomendations for the material, or the person who sews it together.

If the material, most people use sunbrella (or similar)

However, you will get longer life and better water proof by using material made for truck side curtains. (and probably cheaper)

[JusDreaming]

Originally Posted by Talbot

Are you looking for recomendations for the material, or the person who sews it together.

If the material, most people use sunbrella (or similar)

However, you will get longer life and better water proof by using material made for truck side curtains. (and probably cheaper)

We have pretty much decided on "Sunbrella" so basically some one to sew it

[imagine2frolic]

You might want to consider some screens on the back of the bimini? We fold them down when we are sailing with the sun on our stern. We can still see traffic, and the back of our legs don't get burned. Plus the reduction in the heat in the cockpit. We have the screen split in two, so we can still adjust the traveler......i2f

[Vasco]

Denny,

I know a couple of guys that did mine but they're in Miami. If you want a name down there I can give it to you. Their English isn't the best but they do know how to design and sew canvas.

[memryqlts]

"You might want to consider some screens on the back of the bimini? We fold them down when we are sailing with the sun on our stern. We can still see traffic, and the back of our legs don't get burned. Plus the reduction in the heat in the cockpit. We have the screen split in two, so we can still adjust the traveler....."

What kind of screening material did you use? Did you make this yourself? My husband and I are going to make a bimini - have the tubing and working out way to put it on the boat, and I'm planning on sewing the fabric.

[rleslie]

I have a boat at Indian Town Marina and also need new canvas. Hope that you get some recommendations.

[Randy]

I'd refer to this excerpt of forsailbyowner's post on the Tenara Thread on Canvas thread :
Check out new fabrics on market. Sunbrella is way down on my list of favorites, Recracil is newbie on market that advertises 0 stretch with an acrylic. I've been using Marchems topgun mostly. 5x strength of sunbrella, no stretch issues, way more watertight,same 5 year warranty. Ps full time canvasworker

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Denny,

I know a couple of guys that did mine but they're in Miami. If you want a name down there I can give it to you. Their English isn't the best but they do know how to design and sew canvas.

Will they come up to FT. Lauderdale to measure, etc.? If so, let me have their info and I'll call them.

Habla espanol, I assume?

Thanks.

[forsailbyowner]

You have some first rate canvas shops in area. Outdoor textiles is the first that comes to mind. There are some small sole proprietor shops around that will give a better price.Check the phonebook Make sure you specify lifetime warranty thread. Polyester thread will fail in 3-5 yrs with a large restitch expense and leaky top. Don't let them charge an arm and leg. Some try to add as much as $100 extra for a top. The actual thread cost is less than $10. I do a roving canvas business but am currently in carolinas.
Steve

[ka4wja]

Denny and Diane,
I answered your question just a few hours after you posted Saturday morning, on the SSCA Discussion boards..... SSCA Discussion Board • View topic - Bimini Recommendations

Just by good luck I saw you same question here.....
And, since it appears that you haven't seen my answer there, I thought it good "seamanship" to past it here in its entirity......

Enjoy......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denny and Diane,
Easy answer....call Jim at GG Canvas 772-283-1530 http://www.ggcanvas.com

Follow this link to see the bimini and dodger they built for me just last year, using my existing dodger and bimini frames....(it's bright Jockey Red Sunbrella, but my cheap $9 camera dosen't really do it justice!)

http://www.c470.jerodisys.com/470pix/47112.htm
(Click on each photo for FULL size pics)

Here is a message I sent to some friends just last week:

Last year, having decided to replace my original (9.5 year old) dodger and
bimini top, I called my sailmaker (Mack Sails), as well as asked around everywhere...
(Travis at Mack Sails, said that they "could" build a new dodger and bimini,
but recommended GG Canvas......)

Jim (owner) of GG Canvas was very professional as well as friendly....and
provided a competitive estimate, along with assurances that we'd be
satisfied before paying him the balance (50% up front, 50% upon satisfied
completion).....
http://www.ggcanvas.com
ph: 772-283-1530

The result is a super new bimini and dodger, in bright Jockey Red
Sunbrella....with all of my original side and aft curtains (complete cockpit
enclosure) fitted to the new canvas perfectly......
It not only looks great, but is tight, secure, and very heavy
duty......significantly better than factory canvas I've seen on NEW boats at
boats shows......
{The only minor trouble was a delay caused by the sudden and unexpected
death of the wife of the gentleman building my specific dodger /
bimini.......which is completely and totally understandable.... }

So, I can highly recommend GG Canvas, and hope you give 'em a call.....

I have lots of photos and a brief description / explanation here
http://www.c470.jerodisys.com/470pix/47112.htm

I hope this helps....
(I also have photos of the old, original bimini and dodger if you want to compare...)

Fair winds....

John