Price for New Canvas

[Mulv80]

How much do you think a canvas shop will charge to fabricate a new top based on my old canvas as a template? No zippers for clear windows and using the old frame? Tough question looking for ballpark answer?
I'm thinking about asking my dry cleaner who does alterations if I give her the material maybe she can do it.

[regidog]

Take a look at Defender marine. They sell the materials this will give you an idea of material costs. Labor can range but to totally fabricate my guess is from $1200 to $1500 here in Jersey. I just bought the replacement zippers and they ran me $100. I am going to replace myself.

One thing make sure you use the right thread and materials or your will be replacing it in less than two years.

[Airslot]

Mulv, I just had a new top made using my frame. I got a bunch of quote 1800 -2500....got the job done for under 1k and it was great. Only problem is your likely not near Salisbury, MD

[Mulv80]

I don't want an enclosure, Just a top and I have the frame I can't believe that it could cost that much money :o

Hey Slot I'm in Philadelphia, so I'm not that far away but i'm sure there must be a reasonable canvas shop closer to me. I've seen your top and it looks awesome 8)

[Mulv80]

I just found a place in CA that will fabricate a new top from the old template. They claim the average cost for a 6ft bimini is $218 so I assume a convertible top with a zippered flap would be a little more.

[Airslot]

Gotchya, sorry, I misunderstood. What you want should be a piece of cake. You can probably find one by googling bimini top. Most of the box stores sell the same stuff and you order the frame seperate from the top. I've never meassured, but I'm guessing the V's use a 3 bow 6' bimini top.

[Mulv80]

My original top was like PD's boat minus the side curtains

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c374/rtmulv/P8200215_sized.jpg

[randlemanboater]

*

Hey Slot I'm in Philadelphia, 8)


Hey MULV,

You use the blue route to get around?

[msbhammer]

Mulv, if your gonna get a new top, get the front zippers put in for a future front window. Having that front window coming home on chilly nights is a big help.

[macojoe]

If you are handi with a sew machine or know some buddy that is, ck ebay they have some good deals om sunbrella!

[Mulv80]

Randleman, I live in Northeast Philadelphia so I'm relatively close to the city and thankfully don't use the blue route often. I'm about 15 mins from center city Philadelphia with no traffic, 45 mins with traffic.

Hammer, No need for zipper in front the top I want will connect directly to the windshield via snaps.

MJ, I thought about doing it myself but I didnt think a regular duty sewing machine would have the power to run a seam in such heavy material?

[macojoe]

I have a old white sewing machine and have sewed windows for my old boat on it.
It won't take as thick a thread as I wanted at the time but they lasted 3 years easy and I sold the boat

Also sewed a Tonneau cover for my truck with it.

Try taking some old jeans and double or triple them over and see if you can sew thur them, thats not much less then you will be doing with sunbrella.

[Mulv80]

I'm going to call around this week and get a couple of prices. If its too much maybe I will give it a go. I have an old White from 1927 that I use as a computer desk so maybe I'll try her out.

[randlemanboater]

Randleman, *I live in Northeast Philadelphia so I'm relatively close to the city and thankfully don't use the blue route often. *I'm about 15 mins from center city Philadelphia with no traffic, 45 mins with traffic.




When is there no traffic, 2 am?

My wife is from up there, when we visit and I ask one of her relatives how to get somewhere they look perplexed for a minute or two, then with glee they remember the blue route.

It's like its a road that just opened yesterday and they forgot about it.

I only go with her to visit for the steaks and hogies. ;D

[Mulv80]

Randleman, Thats funny the Blue Route really is realtively new compared to all the other traffic jammed highways in this area. Its actually called the Blue Route because when they were planning the road they had 3 proposed routes. One route was drawn in Red, one in Green and finally the route they went with in Blue.

[regidog]

Old straight stitch sewing machine will generally work. Youll need at least a 18 needle for the machine first see if your machine will handle that. Lay it out and use rubber cement at the seams to hold it together while you stitch. Used to work in a shoe repair and did alot of these repairs. Rubber cements is easier than pins. Double stitch all seams for durability. Run over the seam with some sealant (wax etc..)

[randlemanboater]

I would think that by the time you buy canvas, thread, needles, glue, wax, take apart your computer, cut out the canvas, buy more canvas cause you cut wrong, glue it, sew it together, wax the seems, you would be better off buying one from Overton's, Boater's World, or Bass Pro for 200-250 bucks with a new frame.

But thats just me.

[regidog]

I agree if you are only doing a top but not for a full enclosure.

[Mulv80]

Just came back from the canvas guy. He wants $375 to fabricate a new Sunbrella top and use my existing frame, I don't think that is too unreasonable.

[Airslot]

Mulv, I agree it's not a bad price for custom work. Do you want the "low rider" top or would you rather be able to stand under it?

[Mulv80]

Air, i want a top that snaps to the windshield i guess this is what you call a "low rider". Im not crazy over the clear plastic as it looks like its hard to keep free of scratches. Also I like having the top lower because of less wind resistance and better sun protection. I think I'm going to give him the go ahead on Monday after I make sure I like the way the old top fits, I never actually had it on the boat it came with it.

[macojoe]

$375 for a flat piece of cloth sewed at one end for the frame, and a bunch of snaps at the other end??

Must be my ***ish side, but I think thats a bit high??

[Mulv80]

MJ, I agree. He is putting in a zippered flap above the center of the windshield and snaps where the top will secure to the frame. The funny thing is I asked a well respected shop in NJ before the winter and they told me $600.

[macojoe]

Well with the flap and stuff I guess it ok, I missed that some were when I read this.
I thought you were just going from the windshield back, nothing extra.

Just go for it!! Its only money, you get payed again next week ;)

[parishht]

I got mine done by a local Pa. Dutch guy,
and it worked out well.

I had to move some of the snaps and there are some areas
that could use some stitches to tighten it up.

He did use my old canvas as a template.

He charged me $366 but it included the side panels
and the rear rain cover.

[parishht]

Just looked back through my old posts,
Here's the link to that section.


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Repairs;action=display;num=11469724 60;start=1#1

[Mulv80]

Parish that sounds like a great deal. Is he still in business?

[parishht]

As far as I know he is.
I haven't been up that way in a while.
I could check if your interested.

[Mulv80]

Parish, Probably a little too far for me but thanks for the offer.

[parishht]

An hour and 1/2 ride from center city Philly.

I fly out of PHL sometimes and early in the morning, no traffic, I can make it there in 1 hour.