The most effective way to protect your boat is with a canvas cover. If properly fitted, a full or partial cover safeguards the boat from dust and moisture, preventing the build up of mold, playing a fundamental role in maintaining a clean, attractive and well-functioning craft.
If you’re buying a boat cover for the first time or replacing an older one, it’s important to understand what to look for given the various options available. From fabric choices, to fastening and securing systems to overall design of the cover, we can guide you every step of the way. In order to help, we have provided a comprehensive breakdown of what to consider when choosing a boat cover for your vessel.
Choosing Fabric
The industry standard for boat covers and other marine applications is Sunbrella Marine Fabric. A 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabric, Sunbrella provides the ultimate UV protection and fade resistance. Its fibers are colored all the way through the fabric as opposed to just the surface. It is water, mold and mildew resistant as well as highly cleanable, and has a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Opt for Custom Work
A custom cover from the Canvas Works is designed with your boat, and your needs in mind. Covers are the first line of defense from deterioration due to sun exposure, moisture and airborne grime.
The right cover should fit snugly, and be made to the precise specifications of your boat. It is critical to use a high-quality fabric that is waterproof, UV resistant, and mold and mildew resistant. These qualities will go a long way in protecting your watercraft, and whether your cover will last for a single season or a decade.
Why is UV Resistance so Critical?
An important factor in any outdoor fabric is its UV resistance. The better the material resists degradation in sunlight, the longer the cover will last. Sunbrella fabrics are proven to hold their vibrant color even with constant exposure to the sun and harsh marine environments. Sunbrella is constructed with a unique fiber saturated with UV-stabilized pigments to prevent sun damage over time. Many off-the-shelf covers are made of materials that do not provide the proper UV resistance, which ultimately can damage your boat.
The Canvas Works uses only high quality Teflon thread that is exceedingly strong and UV resistant. Often the first thing to give out on a marine cover is the stitching, as polyester threads degrade in UV rays. Our boat covers are built from the highest quality fabric and thread for a long lasting product.
Fastening and Securing My Boat Cover
A cover without the proper fit and fastening system can be extremely difficult to put on and take off. Snaps and fasteners are an integral part of the success of your cover. We know the importance of this and work with you to hand pick fasteners and properly place zippers so your cover is secure and user-friendly.
Not all fasteners are alike. Each system has it’s own benefits and characteristics. We have a wide selection of hardware and the expertise choose and install the proper fittings. If a cover does not contain appropriate fasteners and reinforcements, a number of problems can arise for the boat owner.
The ideal covering should cater to the needs of the customer as well as the design of the boat. We take into account the material, strength, profile and convenience of each type of fastener to help you sort out the best system for your boat cover.
In addition, we reinforce all high-abrasion areas with 18oz PVC to extend the life of the cover. All fasteners are installed with extra reinforcement and hems are either double, 2” hems or PVC reinforced. Cutouts for lines, shrouds, and stays are bound against abrasion and finished with rain flaps to minimize water intrusion.
Run-of-the-mill boat covers are obviously less likely to provide your boat with the ultimate protection it needs, as it has not been created according to the exact specifications of the boat or the boat owner. At the Canvas Works, we consider ourselves to be both engineers and artists. We visualize the end product, with the input of the customer to ensure that the cover not only functions extremely well, but also is aesthetically pleasing.
How Should I Care for My Canvas Cover?
Taking good care of your cover will ensure that you have your cover for a prolonged period of time. Mistreating and neglecting a boat cover, can lead to costly repairs or replacement.
Keeping your cover clean will ensure that it stays free from buildup of mold and mildew. The mold and mildew are attracted to the dust particles so routine rinsing off dust, debris and salt will go a long way to preventing problems.
In the case that you need a deeper clean, Sunbrella can be bleached to maintain an attractive, clean aesthetic. Sunbrella may also be treated with 303 Fabric Guard to bring back its full water and stain repellency.
Minor damages like tears, holes or torn out fasteners, should be taken care of quickly. Preventative measures are important so your minor issues don’t become major repairs. In attempts to prevent unnecessary wear and tear, our fabricators determine potential problem areas install additional PVC or leather reinforcment for excellent and long-term stability.
Why the Canvas Works?
We pay attention to every detail of your custom cover. Our team meticulously plans and executes each step of custom production, from preparing an accurate template to delivering and installing a beautiful and functional finished product. We make it happen!
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