questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

[bobbo268]

i have a 1/4 gap between my floor and the railings to let out water. That being said, regarding the full boat covers that snap on the rails just above the siding, do you guys have any problems with rain getting under the railing, or is it usually so minimal its not an issue?

Also, i'm having my bimini top and boot reupholstered in the spring. I've read up a lot on top gun and sunbrella fabrics regarding covers, anyone have a preference? I'm assuming sunbrella to be the better simply because it has more breathability for when it gets rained on, since the majority of bimini tops are kept above the boats cover and not under it..... correct assumption? And I was leaning towards the heaviest material the upholster had for the boat cover as well, but i am guessing it should be breathable like sunbrella to avoid moisture and mold etc...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Having the fence spacers is some what common so it lets water on the deck out, I personally dont like that because while sitting at the slip it lets rain water that runs off of the cover run under the fence and on to the deck and being as it rains a lot more often than i get splash over.

And yes a bimni and a boat cover are made from the same stuff and breathable is very important, it keeps the mold down. I had my cover made from sumbrella and 3 seasons later it hasn't even faded the slightest bit yet. Over the winter I may have a new bimni and boot made.

 

[MinUph]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Sunbrella is a good choice for a bimini or any top. Make sure it is the heavy weight as it also comes in a cushion weight. I think the warranty is 7 yrs for fading so you will be good for some time. My tops are sunbrella, unknown when they were made but I would guess original with the boat and that was 1999. I washed them last season and recoated them with 303 and they look like new.
I can't see an issue with the spacers under the fence. It is a boat and is made to get wet. The runoff under the fence is a good thing.

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Yea well, rain water collected by a cover can amount to quite a bit. If the cover is on for any length of time, the floor could stay wet for a long time. Water could get under the seat bases, staying wet even longer. If the cover is used for winter storage, the areas affected could stay wet for a very long time. That's not good. That will rot, could freeze and even if uncovered to dry, it would be VERY slow or not at all due to cold temps and more water.

" It is a boat and is made to get wet. " Ah yea, the underside NOT the topside. Letting your topside get/stay wet, get/stay soaked is very, well........ toopid.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

In the winter its covered by massive tarps and pvc structures so I'm really only talking about the Warner seasons.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

sunbrella is only water resistant, and my father ever since owner a pontoon would always throw the cover on, then a tarp on top of that (during the summer months). Is sunbrella water resistant enough to keep water out of the boat as long as support poles are used?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Yes it sheds water very nicely and it will hold water in a pool on top if a pole gets knocked down, their are two types of fabric, a water proof and a breathable. The breathable is the most common in use because it allows air flow and keeps mold growth to a minim. How do I know this because ever year I hear people who have the water proof covers bitching about mold while cleaning as I motor out of the marina where I keep my boat.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

the inside of the bottoms of my railings are pretty dirty, and even though I replaced the siding, the lips that hold the siding in were/are very dirty. Even when I applied my decals to the boat, the soapy water that got inbetween the siding and the railing lip leaked out of the sides and was filthy, especially on my very light carpet (yea yea, it was lighter than i thought it would be).... so what about this, what if i have the sunbrella cover made to come all the way down past the siding to the aluminum lip at the bottom of the boat and snap onto there, that way nothing's exposed?

and, my upholsterer will make a cover out of regular sunbrella or topgun for 350 including material. I've been reading and some places say that only sunbrella PLUS 8400 series (colors starting with 84) should be used, not regular sunbrella (because regular sunbrella isn't good enough), for covers...... (plus its way more expensive and would probably be around 500). That being said, if top gun was to be used with 3 vents where the poles go, would that be enough for breathability? (i'm guessing not, but you guys obviously know this stuff better).

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I dont know of any reason why you cant make it to cover all the way down, other than it would be very hard to put on if the boat is on a slip.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

The boat is always trailered

 

[Grandad]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I've been reading and some places say that only sunbrella PLUS 8400 series (colors starting with 84) should be used, not regular sunbrella (because regular sunbrella isn't good enough), for covers...... (plus its way more expensive and would probably be around 500). That being said, if top gun was to be used with 3 vents where the poles go, would that be enough for breathability? (i'm guessing not, but you guys obviously know this stuff better).

When I made my bimini this past summer, I used the standard Sunbrella. I was a little concerned about how light it seemed next to my old boat top, but having already purchased it, I went ahead anyway. I was even more concerned when I looked up from inside to actually see the sun sparkling through its weave. However, it has proved to be just right for my bimini. I had it out in the rain and it never leaked at all. It folds/rolls easily into its boot which a heavier fabric might not do as well. I would say that it does appear to be breathable. I think that if I was going to build a more permanent cover for extended weather protection that doesn't need to fold compactly, I'd seriously consider a heavier weight than standard Sunbrella. - Grandad

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

okay, so what about Top Gun fabric and using the three air vents that go on top of the support poles? Would that be enough ventilation to keep up mold and mildew the same as using Sunbrella fabric

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

If you decide to go with Top Gun, make sure you look at some boats that the guy who is making your cover has done. Top Gun is a lot harder to work with. Seam pucker is a huge problem if he/she is not super experienced with it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I ended up with 6 vents on mine, I had extra poles added to keep rain from pooling on it. Mine is kept on a uncovered slip 10 months of the year. Even had the grill cover made out of it.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

bobbo268,

What did you end up going with? I just ordered Weathermax80 for my mooring covers and if i like it well enough I'll make a full cover? I've heard the sunbrella (and other acrylic based materials) is water resistant and can chafe fairly easily on protrusions? The weathermax80 is solution-dyed fabric that's a little more durable? I've heard great things about all three fabrics mentioned....Sunbrella, Weathermax80 and Topgun.

I also ordered a cheap bimini cover off ebay as it comes with 1" diameter double wall poles, support poles and boot for 1/3 the cost of anywhere else...I plan on fabricating a new weathermax80 cover as to match mooring covers?

Post a few pics...I know it's not the best weather...snowed about 10" here today!!!
~Brett

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I've heard the sunbrella (and other acrylic based materials) is water resistant and can chafe fairly easily on protrusions?

That's why you sew vinyl on areas that will have that issue. I would we doing the same on that material you bought.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I ended up having him do the Bimini top in top gun since it was thicker than regular sunbrella and 10 bucks less per yard than sunbrella Marine. I'll email him and see if he can shoot me a picture. He is two hours away and I just picked up my new upholstered seats so I won't be making a trip until April.

Depending on how the top turned out will tell me which way to go with a cover

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

No way top gun is $10 less per yard than sunbrella. I get sunbrella for $16/yard.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Sunbrella Marine is 25 yd. It's twice as thick as sunbrella regular which is 16 per yd

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

The Sunbrella I am referring to is 9.25 oz per yard and the wholesale price is actually less than $16/yard. You sure you aren't talking about Sunpbrella Plus that has the waterproofing coating added?

This is the Sunbrella I am referring to and I assure you the price is less than $16/yard from TriVantage where I buy it which is the one of largest wholesalers of Sunbrella in the US.
http://canvas-fabrics.com/Sunbrella-Marine-Grade/index.htm
If you go online and buy it you may pay that much but I would hope the guy that is making your top can get it wholesale. Maybe he can't which would make me wonder about him.

Topgun in comparison is 11 oz. It is less expensive than Sunbrella.