Boat cover material???

[number13]

Hi,

I'm looking to make a boat cover for my 18 foot boat, but not sure what material is best. I need it to be waterproof, preferably breathable and hopefully cheap.

Any ideas?

[Festinghouse]

i made my last one out of pvc coated cordura - turned out not to be uv resistant so is now on its way out. looking now at making one out of protecta tex 610 and welding the seams with a heat gun and roller.

[m chappelow]

I was looking at some rolls of uv marine pvc material from a supplier on flea bay last week though they are only 60 inch wide so would mean joining 2 widths together, so trying to decide what's the best way of joining them heat gun or adhesive .

[Peter_C]

Sunbrella is the standard in the industry for waterproof, breathable fabric material.

Sailrite has made a reputation as a go to company here in the USA for soft boating goods.

Lots of good videos.
Sailrite stocks Videos, Covers

It will take a powerful industrial sewing machine to go through all the layers of fabric. Mine does okay, but I wish I had a walking foot to help move the fabric.

[Festinghouse]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

I was looking at some rolls of uv marine pvc material from a supplier on flea bay last week though they are only 60 inch wide so would mean joining 2 widths together, so trying to decide what's the best way of joining them heat gun or adhesive .

if you go direct to the supplier they will sell you the exact amount that you need, and should be able to weld two pieces together side by side for you, so all you need to do is make it a good fit on your boat.

[beamishken]

anything pvc wont be breathable you need an acrylic breathable fabric as used on canopies
if its not breathable it will sweat like mad & turn everything mouldy & turn any wood or ply to mush
sunbrella is a good example but there are many equivalents which are cheaper contact a canopy supplier who should be able to help recommend something
better to spend a bit more that buy inferior & regret it