GREAT CANVAS GUY ? Long Island Area

abl1111 · #1 05-09-2012, 09:52 AM

Thinking of putting on a soft top enclosure for my 23 Tsunami. Would love a hardtop but can't seem to come up with the $$$ for that.

Anyone have 'the best' canvas guy on LI ? The best does not always mean the most $$$ either.

Also, what is the best, clearest plastic , I'sing glass, available. I HATE ! boats that have clouded glass. I want stuff that is durable and does not get clouded. Need it to be as clear as real glass.

Mikem8560 · #2 05-09-2012, 04:48 PM

Prety much the best rolable clear is strataglass

bigeasy1 · #3 05-10-2012, 09:21 AM

A second vote for the Strataglass.
I have the same boat as you(74 Tsunami I/O).
If you were a bit closer to my area,I have a canvas guy who does beautiful work for very reasonable prices.
I had him do the canvas and isinglass work for me and I couldn't be happier.He made the top,the front windows,the rear drop curtain,with a zippered door,the side windows,and a rear aft curtain that runs from the top down to the transom.
Everything ran about $1,400.00.

Just my opinion here,but for canvas,I'd recommend either Seamark Sunbrella,or Sunbrella Supreme.Both have a vinyl layer applied to the backside of the fabric,which makes them totally waterproof.Both are extremely durable and very soft.It is a pretty heavy material and more durable than standard sunbrella or other polyesters.
I went with the Seamark.It's a company that buys sunbrella fabric and coats it.The sunbrella supreme is made by sunbrella themselves.It is almost the same except that the vinvl layer has a fleece flocking on it,which is nice.It wasn't avaliable in the color I wanted when I had the top made.

Mikem8560 · #4 05-10-2012, 02:03 PM

Its only a t top enclosure but i made my windows with 40g strataglass
Big easy did he use tenara (formerly gortex) thead.
The. coating traps moisture and ritten the theead in new rnglang i saw 3 year old tops that. Needed to be resewn. (im a can as guy ) here in florida ecrn faster and unless you clean the inderside regularly tou will have mold spots Eith the seamark same as weblon bolth great products i had bolth on my bosts.

abl1111 · #5 05-10-2012, 07:40 PM

Mike - fill in the blanks pls - I'm trying to decipher what you wrote...

When I do go to a canvas guy, I want to be educated about what I want - and don't...

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BTW, is the strataglass as much of a PITA to maintain as the manufacturer makes it seem ?

" No other cleaners than theirs, suntan lotion screws it up ( as much as this is my fishing machine, it's a family boat too ). "

How does it make curves, well ? I'm looking for a TIGHT, CLEAR job.

Thx all

Mikem8560 · #6 05-11-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abl1111

Mike - fill in the blanks pls - I'm trying to decipher what you wrote...

When I do go to a canvas guy, I want to be educated about what I want - and don't...

-----------

BTW, is the strataglass as much of a PITA to maintain as the manufacturer makes it seem ?

" No other cleaners than theirs, suntan lotion screws it up ( as much as this is my fishing machine, it's a family boat too ). "

How does it make curves, well ? I'm looking for a TIGHT, CLEAR job.

Thx all

What I meant was sea mark is great I've had it on my own boats. It will tighten up with the inyl coating msking a tight top you do need to clean it more regularly or mold will grow on the inside. As far as window you can get a real nice tight fit with cheap 20 guage vinyl don't get that it thin cheap and don't last long I'll use 30g at. Minimum. Any vinyl with suntan lotion is somthing you want to avoid. I d seen cheaper seat vinyl stained from it. I did a new job the. This guy son fought over his girl and she oiled all up and stained the Sunpad.
Strataglass will make nice clear windows I like to use thicker. Vinyl. For curved windows on a large. Boat I'll use. 60 guests strataglass 40 guage I fine for most jobs. In your case is it just side windows or were you say curved windows I asume you want front windows also 30 guage extruded roll vinyl would be fine and I e tight windows 40 g strataglass even better.
Oh and get gortex thread now called tenara. In will last as long as the top not needed resewing

eyezlow · #7 05-10-2012, 08:56 PM

Big Easy thats a lot cheaper than i have been quoted around my area, thats worth the trip to me whats his name? thanks

bigeasy1 · #8 05-11-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyezlow

Big Easy thats a lot cheaper than i have been quoted around my area, thats worth the trip to me whats his name? thanks

I'll send you a Pm with his name.He's in Chicopee ma.Don't know where you are on the cape so you could be anywhere from 2-3 hours away.
He's actually a fireman who started this business years ago and he's also a boater and fisherman.
His rates are less because he works out of his house,and being inland,the rates are not like they are on saltwater areas.

In reference to the reply by Mikem regarding the mildew,he is correct.My boat sits with all the canvas up for long periods during the summer,and last season I did find several areas of mildew on the inside near the stitching.(that is one downside to the coated fabric,it doesn't breathe like the uncoated stuff)
I searched the web for fabric safe mildew removers and found that plain white vinegar with a little regular hydrogen peroxide Gets rid of it.
I don't know what my canvas guy used for thread,I'm hoping that it was some type of synthetic.I'll have to call him and ask.
I learned my lesson after that and now leave some of it open to let it air out when I'm away.

Abl111,
I didn't go with Strata glass on this boat but I had it on my other,and it held up very well and retained it's clarity better.All types of isinglass are subject to damage from oil based products like suntan lotions and spray waxes like pledge.I know lots of people use the spray stuff like pledge,but it will hasten the loss of the plasticizers needed to keep the vinyl from cracking.
I remember once at a trade show when I was working with a pvc pipe mfg.One of the factory guys was a chemist,and when I was giving him a ride to the airport in my fairly new car,I was complaining about the haze on the inside of my windshield.
He told me that is was from the plasticizers leaving the dashboard material,and that the so called "new car smell",is nothing more than rotting vinyl.I never thought about that new car smell the same was after that.

oldfielder · #9 05-11-2012, 10:09 AM

Trust me- go to Dor-a-mar in Sayville. You will be totally impressed and they treat every customer really well. I have sent many people and all were ver very happy.