questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Getting back on topic, if I use a breathable fabric like weathermax80 for a mooring cover (but i'm most likely going to make this cover go down to the rub rails to avoid any water getting in), do i need vents or will the material do fine? If I need vents, which would be better, the support pole vents (so 3 total) or have 4 or 6 clamshell vents sewn in?

and, what are the best support poles to get? its a 16' pontoon so i only need 3.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I am using the Vent II style vents on the pontoon cover I made although it probably doesn't even need vents since I am using Sunbrella and I don't go down to the rub rails. I like the vents mainly because it holds the poles firmly.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Getting back on topic, if I use a breathable fabric like weathermax80 for a mooring cover (but i'm most likely going to make this cover go down to the rub rails to avoid any water getting in), do i need vents or will the material do fine? If I need vents, which would be better, the support pole vents (so 3 total) or have 4 or 6 clamshell vents sewn in?

and, what are the best support poles to get? its a 16' pontoon so i only need 3.

Venting wise, both will work well. I'd definitely go with the support pole vents. They provide a better surface for your poles to hold up and they are more durable. I have the sewn in clamshell vents and the little holes in the shell are already ripping because the shell is such thin plastic.

not sure there is a big difference in poles. As long as they are the adjustable telescoping variety. About $15 each.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I am using the Vent II style vents on the pontoon cover I made although it probably doesn't even need vents since I am using Sunbrella and I don't go down to the rub rails. I like the vents mainly because it holds the poles firmly.

Just a novice question... is that fabric the entire width one piece or did you have to sew it together? If you had to sew it, how did you waterproof the seams?

Very nice cover! What are the pockets for along the side?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I sewed 2 pieces down the center. It is trimmed along the edge of the railing and a skirt is sewed down from there. I do it this way so there are less darts needed to be sewn...way cleaner.

Those "pocket" are actually flaps with velcro where a bimini pole would go. I don't have my front bimini mounts and that us why there are 2 extras in the front. The extra one in the back is if I have my bimini up with the cover on.

Typically you don't need to waterproof the seams, especially on a boat cover. It's a flat felled seam so it isn't necessary. The stitches will leak eventually but not the seam itself.

here is my thread on my boat cover:
http://forums.iboats.com/pontoons/new-pontoon-cover-638866.html

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Just a novice question... is that fabric the entire width one piece or did you have to sew it together? If you had to sew it, how did you waterproof the seams?

Very nice cover! What are the pockets for along the side?

From my limited experience, the seams seemed to leak were the threads 'pierced' through...everywhere else the water sheds as you would expect. I would definitely recommend sealing the seams and threads for the peace (piece) of mind with a waterproofing sealer (303). I believe bruceb58 used seam tape, which has a 'sealing' function (bruce, correct me if I'm wrong on the use of seam tape?).

As far as vent's go, the pole style ones are more than enough (I'm switching to on my mooring covers a.s.a.p.), however, sewn-in ones are the industry standard? I didn't add any to the mooring covers and I plan on adding some to my full cover (when I make it later this summer?).

~brett

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I don't use seam tape except when I need to hold things together when I sew.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

What is a good spacing for the snaps?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

What is a good spacing for the snaps?

That will vary. Most of mine were around 18" apart but I added more in places where it needed it. Now that my boat is in the water, i see a few places where I need another one.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I don't use seam tape except when I need to hold things together when I sew.

How many yards of 60" wide fabric did your cover end up taking?

 

[biglurr54]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I dont know if im too late to the game but i have toput a plug in for RSI 18 oz Vinyl coated Fabric. Its cheap, waterproof, strong as anything, can be welded with solvent. Its great stuff. I made a mooring cover three years ago. I use a bucket to scoop out the water after it rains. I need to set up bows for it but it just ponds the water and nothing leaks through. This last winter the boat was pulled out late because we were using it until deep freeze. Then I pulled it and put it out back and we got a huge snow storm before I put the ridge pole and epdm winter cover on. The mooring cover ended up spending the winter covering the boat. 3 ft of snow with no support and not even a torn seam, drop in the boat, or popped snap and its still the same size. It didnt seem to stretch. I cant believe the stuff. Im in the process of recovering a gazebo with it. google it and check it out. Just be warned that it is not breathable. But it is water proof.

I made cushions for my outdoor sectional with Top Gun fabric. Its a similar product to Sunbrella. middle of the road for sunbrella type material. I left the cushions out in the rain after a week and they stayed dry. By the end of the first summer (three months) I left them out in the rain again to see how they would hold up and all of the cushions were soaked through. Not a big deal cause the cushions come in when were not using them. It would be a big deal if they were a boat cover. The cost was very close to the cost of sunbrella.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

How many yards of 60" wide fabric did your cover end up taking?

I bought 25 yards but didn't use close to that amount. Not sure how much I have left. I am going to guess that I used less than 20. My cost for Sunbrella is a little less than $16/yd so the fabric was around $300.

Need to add in the cost of binding, webbing and thread.

Bottom line, the labor is normally way more than what the fabric is going to cost. Get the fabric you want as the delta cost of the final product isn't that great.

Personally, I wouldn't use anything other than the Sunbrella. They make the best product in my opinion.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

I am not a fan of vinyl coated fabrics. besides the fact that they don't breathe well, that vinyl will eventually start flaking off. Sunbrella covers will last more than 10 years. The vinyl coating won't.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

The material is used for boat house roofs, trucking tarps, and other industrial applications. I completely understand the issue with the vinyl flaking. Its a worry of mine as well. But three years into it and i have zero signs of degradation. I know sunbrella is the go to stuff but im one of those people who dont trust something that breaths. If air can get through water will get through. I tried making covers out of EPDM roofing rubber. best stuff ever. Only issues are its impossibly heavy to lift and get into place and it does not breath. Makes for a great winter cover though. It can be found very cheap too. I buy it used by the pallet for $50.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Even in Southern California I get some mold with my Sunbrella cover. In fact, I need to ad a vent after all these years. The amount of water that gets through is minimal.

Of course I don't have a snow issue with mine and wouldn't recommend it with snow at all.

I would be interested in seeing a picture of this cover you made with this stuff.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Here's a comparison with a Bimini from bass pro shop. Looks kinda the same. I should be getting the top next week and hopefully the boat out of storage then too so I can start putting the whole thing back together

 

[bobbo268]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Honestly, it looks the exact same as the ones I saw on all the boats at bass pro, which probably would cost 700 to 1000, and is made with a thicker material, but not too thick to make it difficult to fold into the boot.

 

[MinUph]

Re: questions about covers and bimini tops fabrics

Boat looks great. Nice job on everything.