Does anyone have experience with canvas and glass not sold by Sailrite? Basically not brand name Sunbrella or O'Sea glass I'm starting to look into my winter project, replacing dodger and Bimini, and adding side and back curtains. My current canvas is 20 years old. I don't think it will last another season. That stuff just seams so expensive. I'm doing the work myself.
Thanks for for your words of wisdom.
—
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
Robert. Take a look at Rochford.com I have done a lot of sewing and replaced our dodger before going to a hard dodger. They have great prices and fast shipping.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
As far as building materials (fabric, vinyl for windows); the age-old caveat still holds true - you get what you pay for...
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
Robert;
I think you should be very careful on what products are ordered for your project. Several years back, I ordered 'Sunbrella' fabric from an 'on-line' supplier at an attractive price only to find out that it was an 'awning' grade Sunbrella. After all my effort, It did not stand up in the marine enviorment and the color faded fast. You should be aware that there are various grades of the Sunbrella product and they are not all suitable for your marine application. The product is not cheap and you should measure carefully to avoid an overage and additional expense. One other thought is not to skimp on the thread. We've seen projects that were well done only to have the thread collapse in a few years and the entire project needed to be re-stiched. We found Bacon's in Annapolis to have the best price per square yard however, they were just a few cents less expensive than Sailrite.
Fair winds.
Bill Dolan
C-36 #1041 WK, WT, Doyle Stack Pack, Oberdorfer, M-35
Punta Gorda, FL
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Randy,
I'm not seeing Rochford.com. Might there be an autocorrect instance?
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
I'll be using v92 thread for the project. I replaced my mainsail cover last winter. It was expensive but needed to be done.
To to get the right size, I measure the width, height, and depth of the dodger and Bimini. Then bring the old canvas home, and pull the stitching out, labeling each piece. Then, order the fabric. I'm just looking to find the fabric and glass. All the hardware items, I'll order from sailrite.
I found rochford online. Their prices aren't much different than Sailrite. So still looking.
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA
My fault Robert.
Rochfordsupply.com
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
If you use a PFTE thread (c) Goretex. Tenara, etc. You will never have to restitch it again (will last longer than the fabric)
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
Thanks for the info on the thread, I'll definitely do that.
Has anyone build a hard top for the dodger? I'm thinking of doing that with fiberglas.
Robert Trinkle
Troubador, 1995 C36 MKII #1433, SR/WK
Universal M35A
Kinsale Harbor Marina
Kinsale, VA