New Canvas - what to do

[kirk a]

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.

 

[SkunkBoat]

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.



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

 

[JJF]

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.

 

[seasick]

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

 

[wspitler]

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.

 

[JJF]

..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.

 

[DennisG01]

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.