Owning a small boat is not only the pleasure of cruising, but also constant care for the safety of equipment. Motorboat It's exposed to the harsh environment of the sun, salt water, rain and dust, and one of the most effective ways to extend the life of the body and the interior is to have a good shelter, and tailoring your case yourself can help you to take into account the individual specifications of your model and save a lot of money.
Many owners are faced with the fact that finished awning products are either unreasonably expensive or not suitable in size. Transportation awningA handmade stainless steel is perfect if you approach the process responsibly. In this article, we will examine all the nuances of the choice of materials, removal of patterns and sewing technologies that will provide reliable protection for your boat for many years to come.
Before you start to open, you need to clearly understand what functions the product will perform. winter-coverAnd the right design approach will not only protect fiberglass from burnout, but also save the upholstery of the seats from mold and fungus.
Choosing the optimal fabric for the awning
The basis of the durability of your product is the material. The market offers many options, but not all are suitable for water topics. The main enemy of fabric on water is ultraviolet light and high humidity. A conventional tarp or a low-quality Oxford quickly lose its properties, begin to rot or fade.
The modern industry offers specialized materials such as Okaplan, Topplan or TarpaulinThese fabrics have a complex multilayer structure, and a polyester base provides high tensile strength, and an external polyurethane or acrylic coating protects against moisture and sun. Tissue density It plays a key role: for summer shelter, 220-240 g / m2 is enough, while for winter storage it is better to choose options with a density of 300 g / m2 and higher.
Special attention should be paid to water resistance. The fabric should not only retain water, but also have a self-cleaning effect. A high-quality material allows dirt to roll with the rain, leaving no stains. If you plan to use a boat in marine conditions, resistance to salts that can destroy the structure of the threads is critical.
- 🧵 PVC-coated polyester Absolute water resistance, but less vapor permeability, which requires ventilation.
- ☀️ Acrylic tissue (for example, Sunbrella) - excellent protection against UV, air is allowed, but can pass water in heavy rain without additional impregnation.
- 🛡️ Oxford with polyurethane - Budget option with good wear resistance, suitable for off-season storage.
When buying fabric, be sure to request a certificate indicating the resistance to UV radiation (in hours) and the temperature range of operation.
You don't need to skimp on threads. You don't need conventional cotton or synthetic threads to sew awning fabric. You need reinforced threads, for example. LL-45 or LX-45They have high strength and resistance to rot, which guarantees the integrity of the seams even under strong tension.
Measurement and patterning
Precision at the planning stage determines the outcome of the entire work. Taking measures It's a creative process, but it requires mathematical precision. You can't just measure length and width; you have to take into account all the protrusions, deck fittings and shape of the board.
Start by sketching. Draw a top view and a side view. Set the main points: the forehead (nose), the transom (feed), the midle (widest part). It is important to measure the height of the board in the nose, in the midfield and on the transmolator, as they may differ. To create the lekal, you can use an old sheet or special paper, applying it to the body and fixing it with pins.
☑️ Preparation for the removal of measures
When designing the pattern, be sure to lay the allowances on the seams. For awning fabrics, the minimum turn is 2-3 cm, and for docking the cloths - 4 cm If the cover will sit tightly, as "tension", add technological reserves for shrinkage of the material, which can reach 2-3% after the first contact with moisture.
⚠️ Attention: It is better to leave extra centimeters and sew the product than to find that the fabric is missing by 5 cm, which will require the insertion of additional wedges.
The transom area requires special attention. It often has a motor installed here, and the cutout shape must be perfect so that the water does not flow in, and also consider the height of the stern glass or the rundooks if they remain in place.
Equipment and tools required
Working with heavy technical fabrics requires a specific set of tools. A typical household sewing machine may not be able to handle the thickness of the layers, so it is important to prepare professional equipment. The main tool will be an industrial or semi-industrial machine with a lower transporter, capable of stitching thick materials.
To cut the fabric, you'll need sharp tailor scissors with long blades or, better yet, a disc knife. Dumb tools will chew synthetic fibers, leaving shaggy edges that are difficult to process, and you also need chalk or a special marker for the fabric that is easily washed away with water.
- ✂️ Breaking table - flat surface length of at least 3 meters for easy work with large canvases.
- 🧵 cruising foot - an essential element for the uniform advancement of slippery awning fabric under the needle.
- 🔨 Pierces and luvers - for installation of fastening fittings (rings, buttons) with a diameter of 8-12 mm.
Can I sew on a household typewriter?
If you have a powerful household machine (for example, an old type of "Podolsk" or modern models with a metal frame), you can try. However, use a needle number 100-120 and strings LL-45. For frequent sewing, it is better to rent industrial equipment.
Don't forget about personal protective equipment. When you work with synthetics, you get fine dust, and needles can break and fly away. Safety glasses And you can also prepare a high-powered iron or a building hair dryer to smooth the seams and install heat-adhesive tape, if it's used in your technology.
Technology sewing: from cutting to assembly
The sewing process begins with cutting the main cloths. If the width of the cloth roll (usually 150-310 cm) is less than the width of the boat, you will have to make a seam in the middle. The bands must be joined by a seam glue or double stitch for tightness. water-repellent tape (GERMO) is glued to the seam on the inside, preventing leakage through the holes from the needle.
Next comes the grinding of the main parts. The seams are made in double or triple stitches with steps of 4-5 mm. It is important to stretch the fabric evenly so that there is no distortion. Once the trough is assembled, the edges are processed. The turn is double, often inserted a soft cord or cord to give a stiffness and aesthetic appearance.
The quality of the seam determines the tightness of the entire product. Use a line pitch of no more than 5 mm and be sure to fix the beginning and end of each line.
At the finishing stage, the fittings are installed, which can be buttons, zippers or lights. Luver ribbon It reinforces the rings, spreading the load over a large area of fabric, and if the cover is designed to provide ventilation, plastic deflectors are sewn into the pre-cut holes.
| Element | Recommended material | Installation step | Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luvers | Brass/Stainless steel | 50cm perimeter | Cord fastening |
| Lightning | Detachable, spiral number 10 | Center or sideways | Access to the boat |
| Screaming | fitting-belt | If necessary, | Tension of the tent |
| Buttons | Plastic/Metal | 15-20 cm | Fixing the screw |
Moisture protection and ventilation
One of the biggest mistakes when creating a cover is turning a boat into a sealed bag. condensateThe humidity that comes from the temperature changes can do more damage than rain, and the moisture must be able to escape, otherwise the mold will multiply inside, which will spoil the upholstery and the wooden elements.
To organize proper air exchange, you need to provide ventilation holes, located at the highest points of the cover (where warm air accumulates) and at the bottom (to create traction), the optimal solution is special fans-fungi or simply holes closed by a net from insects.
⚠️ Attention: Never make the cover fully sealed. Even if the fabric is "breathable," forced ventilation through the deflectors is mandatory for long-term storage.
You can also use moisture absorbers inside the boat for winter storage, and place a few bags of silica gel or special pellets in the cockpit area, which will help maintain optimal humidity levels, especially if the boat is stored in an unheated room.
Installation and fastening on the boat
A properly sewn case should sit on the boat as if it were injected. When you first try it on, check if there are any saggings in which water can accumulate (the hammock effect). The water is of considerable weight, and its accumulation can deform the frame or tear the fabric. To prevent this, support posts of pipes or wooden bars are installed at critical points.
The mounting of the case to the boat is done in a variety of ways, and the most reliable is the use of regular bolts or specially pasted pistons, the cord is passed through the luvers around the perimeter and tightened, and it is important to use an elastic cord or add shock absorbers so that the gusts of wind do not tear the fabric.
If the boat is on the trailer, the case is often lowered below the waterline of the side and fixed on the sides of the trailer itself, in this case, a long cord is used around the perimeter. For transportation at high speeds, additional rod straps are needed, thrown over the top of the cover and fixed to the frame of the trailer.
- 🌬️ Wind protection Use wind slats or additional belts so that the case does not slam in the wind, abrasing on the fittings.
- 🔒 Vandal protection Locks and complex mounting units will protect from theft of expensive equipment during parking.
- 👁️ Reflectors If the boat is stored near the water or in an open parking lot, sew reflective elements for safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fabric to choose for a cover if the boat will winter in the open air?
For wintering in the open sky, the choice will be a fabric type. Oxford 600D It is a polyurethane coating with a density of at least 300 g/m2, it withstands snow loads, does not tan in the cold and has high strength, and acrylic fabrics may be less preferred because of the risk of getting wet in prolonged rains with snow.
Do I need to make gaps for windows and windbreakers?
If the case is constantly pulled on the sharp corners of glass or plastic windbreakers, the fabric will be quickly wiped, it is better to make cuts and wrap them, or provide an internal frame (spreads) that will keep the fabric at a distance from sharp objects.
How to treat the stitches so that they do not leak?
For sealing seams, special adhesive tapes (GERMOs) are used, which are glued with an iron or a hair dryer, or liquid sealants for fabrics on a polyurethane basis. Simple impregnation of the seam with threads will not give 100% guarantee against leaks in heavy rainfall.
How often do I need to change my cover?
The life of a quality case is 5-10 years depending on the operating conditions. If the fabric began to crumble in the hands, faded to loss of strength or the seams stopped holding water, the product requires replacement. Regular care (wash and drying) prolongs the life of the awning.
Can I wash the awning fabric?
Yes, but with caution, use soft detergents without chlorine and bleach, hand wash with a soft bristle brush, machine washing is not recommended, as aggressive mechanical action can damage the protective coating of the fabric.