Boat canopy care and use ..........

Pilar · 10-09-2001, 07:32 AM

I must be getting old, there is now a canopy on my boat. Is there anything to know about taking care of it? Having never owned one before I could use any advice or tips you guys can offer.

Thanking you in advance ..........

bait boy · 10-09-2001, 07:44 AM

I hear they help keep the sun off [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

scrod · 10-09-2001, 07:50 AM

Never use anthing with silicone in it like amour all. It will ruin the marine vinyl. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

SureSet · 10-09-2001, 07:56 AM

Here's my brain dump. There are different fabrics, but for mine, which is a nylon (I think it's called shark cloth), you never use soap to wash it and you are supposed to treat it with a UV protectant yearly. Obviously you roll windows and never fold them, lube the snaps occasionally and if it's tall, avoid towing or high speeds with the top up. I keep windows in the truck in the winter on the way to the ramp to get them warmed up a little to ease installation and avoid cracks. Always use very soft cloths and water to wash teh windows.

My 2c worth.

SureSet

Jeffhead · 10-09-2001, 09:14 AM

If you store your boat in the garage put the top back up (including the windows) when you get home and let it dry out. If you keep it rolled up in the cover mold will grow and damage the top.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Fish Hunter · 10-09-2001, 09:19 AM

One thing I was told was to only roll up the side panels and never store them folded. Keeps the windows looking good.

The top should cut down on air surveilance. Some curtains should help too. Enjoy your new top. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

CAGEY · 10-09-2001, 09:39 AM

Pilar, they make a good cleaner that is made specifically for that type of material. You can purchase it at a good marine supplier. The advice on the windows should be followed to the letter. Rolled up and dry when stored and never ever ever fold one or you will have cracks in them. The top should always be dry when stored. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Pilar · 10-09-2001, 12:01 PM

It's a standard marine vinyl in white. I figured on camouflaging any bird doo, I might encounter. Thanks for the help, now I just have to learn to duck and not break a rod when I set on a sturgeon.

FishinMission · 10-09-2001, 12:27 PM

Hey Pilar...tops are great on hot sunny days too...especially if you forget that sunscreen for offshore drilling!!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Oh yeah....I might ad...you might think about getting some "seam sealer" for the stitches in your top. Helps keep the drips away, and especially for the vinyl tops...be sure you put them up to dry when you get home. Most important..because they'll shrink on you if you don't. If you don't...it's a real ***** to snap.

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: FishinMission ]

SlabQuest · 10-09-2001, 12:32 PM

Dem blue tarps dont need no mantinence. When dey start to leak, jus tho em away an get a new one fer $12. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Pitch Pocket · 10-09-2001, 04:01 PM

My top was made by Tony's in Tigard. Recently took it back to repair a tear and he recommended using a cheap liquid car wax on the window portion once a year to keep them clear and flexible. No, I haven't done it yet either.

Pitch Pocket · 10-09-2001, 04:14 PM

Wait a minute!

This boat needs a canopy?

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: SjP ]

WaterDog · 10-09-2001, 08:24 PM

My second to last boat I used Armor All 2x a year with no problems. My last boat I used Armor All then swtiched to 303 Protectant. After three years it still looked like new and the clear sides and drop curtin were clear as the day I bought it. I do store the boat in the garage with the top up, sides and all.
My latest boat [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] has Bently's "top gun" cloth and is by far the best material out there. I will stick to the 2x a year treatment with 303.

Seam seal and rolling the clear vinyl is a must. The UV's is what kills the vinyl. If you keep the top under cover the top will last forever. Yes FOREVER! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 10-09-2001: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

Pilar · 10-10-2001, 07:05 AM

Where did you find that beauty, SJP? My little blue 'Pilar' fits right in the garage.

Yours is almost as big as the original.

Pitch Pocket · 10-10-2001, 08:27 AM

That's not yours? Oh. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Found it at Roche Harbor WA in July. I knocked, but no one was home.

hookem · 10-10-2001, 09:22 AM

rule #1 take top down before backing into
the garage!
rule #2 don't tow boat with top up faster then
50mph!

FM2 · 10-10-2001, 04:19 PM

My $.02

1. Treat your vinyl with a quality UV protectant. Don't wait unitl the oils in the vinyl have been depleted, your top will turn to dust.

2. If you have eisenglass or clear windows, again treat them with a vinyl glass protectant. This also keeps the oils activated to they won't dry and crack.

3. Keep all snaps lubricated (wd-40). They are zinc coated and will rust in a heart beat.

4. When stowing your boat, try to keep the top up so it will remain in the correct form. Leaving it rolled up will take the "memory" from the vinyl and the top can take other shapes(usually the dang things shrink). Also this helps to keep it dry because when you roll them up and think "there is no water", there is water.

5. Be sure to keep the top down when towing, I have seen many tops fly off boats and have observed many torn and ripped from highway speeds.

6. Treat all the seams with a waterproof sealer. Keep all the zippers lubricated (wd-40). Also wipe down the frame with a soaked rag containing again (wd-40). Keep the pins also lubricated. Rust is a bear on steel as you well know.

Enjoy the boat with your new top, just think, now you won't have to spend money on SPF 9000 sunblock for off shore drilling [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] so in some cases, maybe yours, your top will pay for itself in a short time....or a long time [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Mr. Fisherman · 10-11-2001, 01:05 AM

All ready for the 4 minute troll [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Pilar, In addition to what has been said already I would store the rolled up windows in an old pillow case. I did this and it worked great till I forgot wher I put them [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img].

Looking forward to helping you break it in.

Later,

Ray

WaterDog · 10-11-2001, 06:10 AM

If you can't tow with the top up or faster than 50mph it aint worth having. Whats the point? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] For $40 you can add some struts that will add more than enough strenght to make it towable. OR spend the extra for heavy duty tubing.

It's no fun fishing in the winter when you start out with a wet boat before you get your boat wet. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

boater · 10-11-2001, 04:04 PM

i never tow my boat with the top up on the freeway, why put it through the extra wear and tear if you dont have to, besides look at the extra drag you get, it`s probly costing you mpg with the top up. also the only thing i use wd-40 for on my boat is to spray my lure down with before i drop it in the water, i think the stuff is junk for corrosion protection. i also roll my clear side curtains up in an old bed sheet, lay the sheet on the floor then the window and roll them up together, keeps them from getting scratched. just my usual 2 useless cents worth.

Thumper · 10-11-2001, 05:00 PM

Tops are for wusses. Wuss!

aye fsh · 10-12-2001, 05:41 AM

Use parrafin on the zippers to keep them moving freely and put a little vaseline in each on of the snap cups with a Q-tip. Bentleys set me up with a product called Mermaid's to use on the widows, works like a champ to clean and preserve. It may be appropriate for the vinyl tops as well.
[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

WaterDog · 10-12-2001, 06:38 AM

Jack, tops may be for wusses, but I bet us wusses have wives! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

boater, I'll have to disagree with you on this one. If the top is well made you wont have a problem. My experience. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Besides if you have one of those old man canopys that are the double door type that is 6 inches higher than the cab, drag is not an issue. I already have lots of drag. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] Thats not to say that if I were to drive down the freeway for 6 or 8 hours that I wouldnt take it down either. My useless .04 cents worth! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Thumper · 10-12-2001, 07:16 AM

Geez WD, do you suppose that may be one reason why I don't have a wife???????