Color of Head Sail Sunbrella does not match rest of Boat

[Brassmonkeys]

Purchasing a boat that has all black accents (Mainsail cover, upholstery, antifouling, etc.) I am the last one to care about color but I am traveling with a significant other...

The headsail has bright blue sunbrella for its UV protection. Is it possible to cover the existing blue with another layer of black sunbrella?

[Stu Jackson]

Of course you can't. You must tell your SO that it is bad form to change anything on a boat you've just purchased. You must wait one full year to do anything but sail it, and, maybe put fuel in it.

[Souzag818]

Sunbrella is heavy, so you might want to remove the blue before putting on the black.

[Eder]

Any sailmaker can hook you up for a couple hundred bucks

[Calif.Ted]

Last time I had a sunband replaced it was $600, that's a good down payment on a new sail.

[Off Trail]

Mismatched sail covers? Sounds like my boat

No you shouldn't put two layers -- Sunbrella is heavy. Remove the existing and replace.

Maybe the sail is "tired" and needs replaced anyway? ... worth a try

[JPA Cate]

Hello, Brassmonkeys,

It's a common job for a sailmaker to replace the sacrificial UV protection. Costs depend on how much cloth is needed (bigger sails cost more).

Everything doesn't have to match. You can be unique and no harm is done. The color of the strip does not affect the sailing ability in any way. I'd plan to replace if it is worn, falling apart, or the whole sail needs replacement: then get the color to match if it is still wanted.

Ann

[lauriel]

My artist friends tell me not to be afraid of colour. For my UV strip I chose bright orange (a standard sunbrella colour). Easy to see my boat on its mooring and makes me happy. My Admiral enjoys pointing out our boat.

[nightowle]

If your SO is artistic enough, why not use some black fabric paint with stencils or foam cut applicators that have designs? Such as turtles or seashells. A nice nautical motif to tie in the headsail cover that will then be blue w/ black accents to your other black Sunbrella. Convince the SO that placing a personal touch on the new-to-you boat will make the boat happy.

[PaulvR]

Add a blue cover to something else near the cockpit...dingy cover, outboard, liferaft, or BBQ cover...it will look inspired then(!!), rather than odd.

Mix it up!

[wolfgal]

congrats!

i love a beautiful boat, however this is what i would do:

-as someone else suggested, inform SO that it is not good luck to change the color right away.
-wait a month or so..., time enough let many invoices for necessary/needing-doing stuff to pile up
-show this pile to your SO... and tell her the total
-frown at the number with folded eyebrows and then sweetly suggest that, even though her idea is a very good one, perhaps it is best to wait until the blue canvas is showing a bit of wear before actually replacing.


good luck!

[Bay Breeze]

First world problem.

[sail sfbay]

Originally Posted by Brassmonkeys

............Purchasing a boat that has all black accents (Mainsail cover, upholstery, antifouling, etc.) I am the last one to care about color but I am traveling with a significant other. The headsail has bright blue sunbrella for its UV protection. Is it possible to cover the existing blue with another layer of black sunbrella?

Recommend removing the sail and taking it to your local loft OR shipping it to an on-line loft for them remove the old blue UV cover AND sew on a new black UV cover.

[Ranger2727]

If older blacks have faded, then the new black will be a mismatch also, just less obvious. I had a friend who had to choose between his SO or his pit bull. He chose the wrong one and regretted it later! :>(

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by Brassmonkeys

Purchasing a boat that has all black accents (Mainsail cover, upholstery, antifouling, etc.) I am the last one to care about color but I am traveling with a significant other...

The headsail has bright blue sunbrella for its UV protection. Is it possible to cover the existing blue with another layer of black sunbrella?

Well .... I for one am shocked! What ever possessed you to buy a boat that had a mismatched head sail cover? Seriously, any new to you boat is going to have larger fish to fry than a mismatched color issue. I'd see how that black upholstery works for you on a hot day before ditching the blue.