New Canvas - what to do

kirk a

kirk a

GreatGrady Captain
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Location
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Model
Express 330
Yesterday, the replacement canvas for my 330 arrived from A&J. It is at least a month before the boat will be in the water and I'll have access to it. Am I better off removing the canvas from the shipping boxes, or leaving it in them? Never have had new canvas before. I did not even think to ask A&J prior to sending the old one back to them.

While on one hand, I'd like to at least verify the right # of pieces, I fear that once out of the boxes, they will take up a ton of space.
 
I bought some canvas track and put it on my basement ceiling. I can hang my canvas up for the winter.
I don't like to fold the vinyl and my front pieces are rigid polycarbonate.

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Looks like the price went up considerably....


I did that for two years but I got lazy and now I leave it on the boat
 
I would take them out and lay them flat on top of each other with a sheet/towel separating them. They can be stored under the bed to be out of the way.
 
I also store my curtains with pieces of old bed sheets in-between the panels. The goal for storage to not have the clear plastic in contact with other clear plastic or lay on top of a zipper or other things that can scratch. If possible lay panels flat. The panels can be rolled sometimes. Just make sure that the plastic doesn't crease and hard parts like the mounting channel don't roll but rather lay flat in the bundle.

I like the under the bed option but doubt that my wife would agree:)
 
When you install them, plan on letting them hang on the boat for a day or two in warm weather before placing the lower attachment hardware. In the past, A&J did not install the bottom fasteners when shipped. Be ready to fit the bottom snaps, etc. They lent me the tool to do it back several years ago. If strataglass, it's best to lay them out early as they take a considerable time to uncurl, particularly in cool weather.
 
..and if you do store them rolled, a large foam roller is good to keep them from getting flattened or creased. Again, protect with sheet/towel.
 

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One way that I've done... I rolled them (with sheets in between) around a 4" PVC drain pipe (ligher than Sch 40) and then stored all (8) pieces (this was a Sea Ray cruiser with more/larger pieces) in the storage bag they originally came in. In the Winter, I felt better taking them inside - I built a small, drop-down, shelf one foot below my garage roof for them to lay flat.

On my Grady, over the offseason, I just lay them in the cabin with some sheets in between.

Yes, if they are currently folded, remove and lay them in the sun to flatten out. Although regular isinglass (clear vinyl) is pretty forgiving.

What are yours made of? That determines care/storage.
 
They are brand new, rolled up in boxes from being shipped. The clear is stratoglass.
 
OK, so SG is basically the same as normal isingglass - but better with a special coating, too. BE CAREFUL with cleaning - use only recommended products (Imar, for example). But in terms of the "storage", the same applies to SG as mentioned above.
 
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Rolling is OK to ship but get them out of the box and flat like they will be on the boat. I would store them flat separated by sheets in a warm spot inside.
 
I always take them down and lay them flat or over the back side of a sectional in a spare room for winter with temp at approx 55 deg. About this time, I'll clean and polish the glass and put them up before splashing for the season. I think they last longer this way.
 
You can always call Linda down there and ask. Mine were in the boxes for 2-3 weeks before I could install them. Had no issues. They did a great job on my 265.
 
I went with the white Stamoid that GW used originally from A&J Canvas when I redid mine. On my 282 I had the blue Sunbrella.. I think both Sunbrella and Stamoid are a solid choice.. Have to say that the waxy Stamoid has been great with weather and stains so would get a tad higher rating.
 
Thank
Fishtales said:
I went with the white Stamoid that GW used originally from A&J Canvas when I redid mine. On my 282 I had the blue Sunbrella.. I think both Sunbrella and Stamoid are a solid choice.. Have to say that the waxy Stamoid has been great with weather and stains so would get a tad higher rating.
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Yeah. My wife would not go for the white look. Was concerned about staining, etc. I liked the modern look it provides. Happy wife, happy life, and that was not the hill to die upon. Thrilled to have clear panels, to say the least!
 
The white doesn't wear bird droppings well.
 
Does anyone have a snap installation tool such as the sail rite press n snap fastener tool they might want to move on from? Would be interested in buying, renting, or simply borrowing. Preference is to buy however.
 
Next question as the panels are lying flat and we are working out the bends. When it is the initial installation time, is there a system that works best? Here is my current train of thought.

Insert the front 3 pieces into place across the top of the windshield, then adjust side to side. Add the lower snaps and secure. Repeat process from bow to stern on first piece on both sides. Then Hang the two small aft pieces on each side, but before installing the snaps, hang the 3 rear panels and adjust fit as needed before adding the snaps to the last two aft pieces. Finish by adding snaps on the 3 rear panels.

Thinking is that getting the front centered will get the other parts to fall into place correctly, and the two rear corners probably have the most play in terms of snap placement to get the smoothest/tightest fit.

For those who have done this, is there a better order of operations?

The mechanics of adding the snaps with the tool is straightforward, however any learned lessons about placement and making things easier would be appreciated.
 
SkunkBoat said:
I bought some canvas track and put it on my basement ceiling. I can hang my canvas up for the winter.
I don't like to fold the vinyl and my front pieces are rigid polycarbonate.

View attachment 39025

Looks like the price went up considerably....


I did that for two years but I got lazy and now I leave it on the boat
Click to expand...
i do the same. i feel this is the best way. my canvas guy just gave me a few extra pieces of the track
 
Depending on your temperature, let your Canvas hang for a day or two before you install the snaps. It will stretch out and the Canvas will be loose if you do it too early.
 
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