questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

[bajaunderground]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Here is the cover I just finished(well 99% finished). Will be taking a better picture soon with no shadows in it. First pontoon cover I have ever done.
View attachment 222631

Was going to be over $1200 if I had it done. I spent around $500 in materials. Have some leftover material though. Next task is an Outboard cover. I hate the way the universal ones fit.

Bruce,

That covers looks really nice! I'm hoping you're planning a trip to Colorado in the next few weeks? I need a few "hands-on" pointers!! Did you use Sunbrella? Solarfix or Tenara? Binding?

Ciao,

~Brett

P.S. Bobbo...I think for $850, that interior looks pretty good...I can appreciate the "you get what you pay for"! I can accept a few wrinkles, for a few Benjamin's!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I used Sunbrella binding, bias cut so it is easier to go around bends although I didn't really have too many tight bends on this cover.

I just used polyester V92 thread. I didn't have my SolarFix thread yet.
Sunbrella beige 60"

I use 1". This is what the binding looks like and the snap tool that I use.

 

[eywflyer]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I had a Sunbrella cover for my 1986 Mako. 21 satisfied years later (2007), after periodic water proofing, a few re-stitchings and zipper replacements, I decided to retire the Sunbrella and had a dark blue Topgun (by rec from the canvas shop) full cover made. The boat resides on a lift on the Chesapeake which certainly is not the harshest of summer environments. Since the first year, flakes of the Top Gun?s coating could be found all over the deck when I uncovered. In the areas fore and aft of the T-top where the fabric moves in the wind, the fabric coating flaked off in creases and has begun to tear. The horizontal surface on the T-top is very weathered and has also started to rip. I am disappointed with Topgun?s short life to say the least. Pics of the issue can be seen here:

New In 2007 Photo by eywflyer | Photobucket

Everyone seems to rave about how great and tear resistant Topgun is. The pics speak for themselves. The Sunbrella cover never had this problem in triple the years of service. I really don?t want to give the Topgun another chance. The only way I see to avoid the movement in the troubled areas would be to install batten pockets or have strips of material layered up and sewn down those areas to stiffen up the fabric. Is it just me, or has anyone else heard of this issue with top gun?
The fabrics I hear about most often are Topgun, Sunbrella Marine grade, Seamark, Weathermax 80 and Weblon. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for the help.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Personally, I like Sunbrella and Weathermax80. I used the WM80 for my cockpit and bow covers as I plan on towing with them on and they offer better abrasion resistance. When I make my complete cover, I will use Topgun or similar product...no snaps or ties, all ratchet straps around and below rub rail for a snug fit!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Makes you wonder if that was really Topgun they made that out of or a knockoff.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Well I decided to have my bimini done out of top gun and that cost me $200 (the quote I got from an actual Marine and awning shop was 750), i think the full cover was actually 3 or 350. Either way here is the bimini, picture taken by the upholster. I don't have it yet as he lives far away and I will pick up as soon as we drop a boat off for the full cover. That being said, its hard to tell how it will look installed because its obviously not pulled tight and has been stored wrapped up all winter, but the seams look good from here and seem to follow the poles so it is what it is. Even if it doesn't pull perfectly tight, I still can't complain for the price. Its not a show boat afterall, just something for my small (on a budget) family to enjoy.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I wouldn't be happy but its you that needs to be happy, not me.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

thats true haha. Once i get it on the boat and pulled tight, i'll re-post a picture. The boot looks the same as the stock one did (different color of course)

 

[MinUph]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

The old saying "you get what you pay for", comes to mind. That said it looks pretty good for the money paid. I hate business people like this. They have ruined many trades with Subpar work at cheap prices.

 

[midcarolina]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I hate business people like this. They have ruined many trades with Subpar work at cheap prices.

I believe the OP stated that he is happy with the end product at the price he paid........And I'm guessing he is glad people like you don't
get to dictate to others what they must pay for services they choose to pay for......

In your world a family man that lives on a budget, but wants to enjoy some recreational activities with his family is just screwed!

 

[MinUph]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I didn't planned on a pissing contest but let me explain my comments. First of all the word "hate" was a bit strong.

Though the years in business I've seen this many many times. Someone opens a shop and does terrible work but on the cheap. They soon find they are broke and go out of business. The customer ends up with low quality work and then expect the same price from someone that does a quality job. There is a form of training people to accept lower quality work and over the years people no longer know or understand quality. This is what bothers me. I see it in all forms of business, from upholstery to hair stylist to the Walmarts of the world.
I don't feel like I dictate what anyone pays for a service. I only dictate my prices and that is all. If a job done properly takes X amount of time and X amount of materials and the customer expects quality as they should I need to make a living at what I do. Been around for over 40 years and will still be around when the low ball hacks are broke and gone.

Maybe you are from the camp that likes to get what they can for the "Cheapest Price" and that is fine. Maybe you can buy your goods from China and support the wage they pay.

There is a good saying I've read a few years ago. Goes something like this.

1. Low price
2. Quality work
3. Fast turnaround
Pick any two.

I've just spoken my piece and am done. You feel what you feel and I feel what I feel.

Sorry for the rant but I say what I feel.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

My cover is made with Aqualon fabric. WaterPROOF and lightweight. Folds more compact. 8 clamshell vents provide all the breathibility needed.
I hear too many complaints about how Sunbrella and similar water resistant fabrics leach water after they age a few years.

 

[midcarolina]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

And maybe I am a blue collar working man....... that understands not everyone can spend money for the top of the line stuff....

but.... for someone who has been in the biz for 40 years and ( will be around long after the hacks are gone)......the subject sure gets under your skin.......

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I happen to be on a budget so to have this Bimini top done for 200 and all the seats plus 1 extra seat done for 850, is a great price fur me and my family. I would love to have the money to spend 800 to have a professional place make a top, but then again if I had that kind of money I would have just bought a new boat. If you have tons of money, spend it. But for us that don't, we are forced to live within our means, for our enjoyment. This upholsterer works out of his home as a side job, I found him on Craigslist, and took the gamble when I dropped off all my ponton seats. I totally understand that I get what I paid for, but what he did for 850, I'm happy with. I would have loved to have the other shops do it that quoted me at 4 and 5 thousand, but that's just not for me. They stay in business because some people have deep pockets. ... Mine are fairly shallow

Those who don't live within their means become this guy http://youtu.be/r0HX4a5P8eE

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I say this over and over....The value of something is not what you have in it, but what you get out of it!!

The few things I see missing from this "pissing contest" is value and need.

The value is what bobbo268 gets for his money. He's not trying to impress anyone, he's trying to have a cover over his head on his pontoon. IF he couldn't afford to buy an $800+ bimini cover, but he could afford a $200 one, then that's the price point for that buyer! He needed a $200 cover, his upholsterer supplied a $200 cover.

To complain about people charging less about a lesser service is ludicrous as it one of the tenants of the capitalist system...try comparing Hyundais too Mercerdes...different demographics and definitely different price points. I would venture to say not one persons every said "tomorrow, I'm gonna go take a look at a Mercedes, if I don't like what I see, then I'm going to purchase a Hyundai..."

There are varying degrees of values that exist (and isn't it great?!).

I'm even cheaper as I would rather do it myself than pay someone for their time...example, I covered all the upholstery in my boat myself...tried the helm seats, they we're too advanced for my skill-set/patience, so I had them done/corrected professionally. I know my limitations!

Bobbo- Whether anyone likes them or doesn't, shouldn't matter...that's just more beer and gas money for you...sans sunburn!

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Bobbo- Whether anyone likes them or doesn't, shouldn't matter...that's just more beer and gas money for you...sans sunburn!

I agree. I didn't post pictures of my 200 dollar Bimini top hoping everyone would say "holy hell that's amazing" though I guess it would be nice: in the same token I didn't expect it. I was just showing what I had done, the price I paid, and to show others boating isn't only for the wealthy. I bet this top will block the same amount of sun as the ones that cost $600 more. ..

 

[MinUph]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I guess I'm not getting my point across as intended. So I'll drop it. I did not mean to say bobbo wasn't happy or even that the job was bad. It actually looks pretty good.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I suspect when its on the boat and strapped in place it will be just fine.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I know I'm crossing over posts but because we are talking about cheap labor, here are the seats that cost 850. One large back seat, 3 "love seats", captains chair and fishing seat. Again not perfect but my other quotes were 4 and 5 thousand. .. No thanks. I got what I paid for... seats that are made with high quality vinyl, soft on my arse (not all dry rotted like the originals), and a great place for my daughter to sit while watching daddy fish

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

They look fine to me.