Re: Bimini Top Question
The zipper is there for a storm curtain, but he wanted in the range of $400 for it because I wanted a window sewn in. Sunbrella cost more now than it did 4 years ago. I didn't see the need for it because you can't zipper it closed with the outboard running due to carbon monoxide. So I figure if the weathers going to be that bad the rig is already going to be back on the trailer with us waiting it out in the car. Don't like the idea of being on the water with lightening in an aluminum boat. I'm always amazed to be running away from a lightning storm and pass boats pulling water skiers heading right into the storm
I try and keep a real close eye on the radar on my smart phone and I can out run most scattered storms. No rain comes in the back when we are moving forward anyway. But if the enclosure is up and I'm going too fast, I sometimes feel a light mist my back because the enclosure can create a wind tunnel effect and it sucks up a light spray off the mist that the prop throws off.
For us the enclosure serves more to block the wind, because I don't have a passenger side windshield. The Canvas guy came up with a great way to attach the front wind screen, since I have no left side console to attach it to.
I might go back to him, so he can make me up a dodger for the open bow area. I saw another rig with this sweet 3 foot high enclosed dodger with a small window in the front of it. Or I might just have him make up just a bow cover to keep it dryer from getting caught in any rough seas.
Ya, 303 Fabric Guard is great stuff. But to me, the most amazing stuff is their 303 Fabric/Vinyl cleaner. A quick spray and a light brushing with an over sized toothbrush removes any grease that gets on my light grey trailerable cover from the road tar or when some grease from the out board's control cables gets on the bimini.
That cleaner has no solvent, yet the grease or dirt just magically disappears without leaving a ring or changing the burgundy color. Amazing stuff. A little spray goes a long way. I'm on the same 16 oz bottle for the last 2 years
I also use Plexus vinyl protectant on all the windows. It keeps them from yellowing, protects from scratches and keeps them crystal clear. Meguire's Mirror Glaze clear plastic detailer is good stuff too.
I store the enclosure and windows in a zippered bag that the canvas shop made up for me out of the matching Sunbrella fabric. I roll the enclosure up and also roll the windows sandwiched between thin blankets to prevent scratching. Everything stores in the bag and is held on with two bungies on the rear platform. I can set all up with in 5 minutes if a storm is approaching. We boat almost every weekend and have only gotten drenched once in the last 4 years from a freak storm that did not appear on the weather radar, but came over a mountain range.
I figure for the money I spent at the canvas shop, I'll get at least 1/2 of it back if I needed to sell the rig. Everything still looks brand new, even though it's 4 seasons old already.
And price wise it was actually a bargain to me, after I saw how much labor and stitching goes into making up a custom enclosure
Don't mean to be too wordy and off topic from the original posters question, but I've seen what some of the local shops can do with canvas . . . it is really a form of art. And I figure "you" would appreciate how I take care of my stuff, because I know how some boaters neglect your creations after it leaves your shop!
If it ever stops raining here, I'll detail again the enclosure and the trailerable cover for this upcoming season.
