Operation of a small vessel requires not only a serviceable engine and a reliable hull, but also high-quality protection from external factors. Sewing awning for the boat It becomes a necessity when standard factory solutions are unreasonably expensive or do not fit specific storage and transportation conditions. Owners often find that the finished awning does not sit well on the frame, has weak seams or is made of material that burns out in one season.
Self-made covers allow you to take into account all the nuances of the geometry of your boat. tissue-densityThis not only saves the budget, but also ensures that the product will last for years, protecting fiberglass or PVC from UV light and precipitation, and it is important to understand that this process is time-consuming and requires attention to detail, especially when working with industrial sewing machines.
Before we start to reveal, we need to decide on the functional purpose of the product. transporterProtecting against dust and dirt on the trailer, or massive winter-tree The answer to this question depends on the choice of materials and technologies of sewing, which we will discuss in detail below.
Selection of materials: PVC fabrics and fittings
The basis of any quality awning is a material that can withstand the aggressive effects of the environment. PVC For lightweight running awnings that are removed when moving, the best choice is a material with a density of 630-650 g/sq.m. It is flexible enough to fit complex shapes, and easy to work. stationary or winter cover, which will lie on the boat for months, the density should be at least 850-900 g / sq.m.
The key characteristic of the material is not only density, but also the presence of UV protectionWithout a special coating, the fabric will quickly lose elasticity, start cracking and fading under the sun. antifungalThe color of the material plays a role not only in aesthetics: lighter colors are less heated in the sun, which reduces the load on the seams and reduces condensation inside.
Just as important is the right fittings, cheap plastic fixtures or thin straps can be the weak link in the whole structure. LL 45. or LL 70It's very tensile and rotting-resistant, and fasteners like luvers have to be made of brass or stainless steel to prevent rusting on the fabric.
- 🧵 PVC reinforced fabric - the main material requiring selection by density (630-900 g / sq.m.) depending on the purpose of the awning.
- 🔩 Luvers and half rings metal attachment elements, which must have an anti-corrosion coating for long service.
- 🧶 Capron threads - provide the strength of the seam, require a special needle and tension settings when sewing.
⚠️ Attention: Never use cotton or conventional synthetic threads to sew PVC awning. Under the influence of moisture and sun, they will rot or break down in one season, resulting in a rupture of the seam and loss of sealing.
Design and creation of patterns
The sewing process begins long before the sewing machine is turned on, and the most critical step is to create accurate patterns. A design error can cause the finished case to either not fit on the boat or to hang around collecting water and creating sailing during transportation. There are two main approaches: creating a pattern "by eye" with a stock or accurately measuring from the frame.
For complex shapes, such as transformer awnings or covers with integrated windshield skirts, it is recommended to use a mock-up method. Take a cheap fabric (like a spanbond or old sheets) and assemble a pre-model directly on the boat, which will allow you to see where the fabric is stretched too hard and where unwanted folds form. After fitting, the layout is carefully removed, marked and transferred to the main material.
In calculating the sizes, you need to take into account shrinkageSome PVCs can change their linear dimensions slightly when they're hot or when they're first exposed to water. It's also important to put inlets on the seams. For the overhead seams that are most commonly used in PVC, the inlet is 2-3 cm on each side. If you plan to use hot air welding instead of threads, the connection technology will be different, but the patterning will remain the same.
Equipment and tools required
For high-quality awning, a Seagull or Podolsk sewing machine is only suitable conditionally, and then with serious limitations. The main problem is the puncture of several layers of dense PVC and thick capron thread. The needle can break, and the mechanism can not cope with the promotion of the material. The ideal solution is to rent or buy a specialized one. needle-detacher (e.g., class 1022 or class 22) which is intended for leather goods and technical fabrics.
In addition to sewing equipment, you need a set of specialized tools. Cloth cutting is best done with a sharp cutter or an electric cutter, because the scissors quickly blunt against the reinforcing layer. To install luvers, you need a special press or a set of hand-held forceps of the appropriate diameter, and you can also do without a powerful building hairdryer if you plan to seal the edges of the seams or make welded joints.
The organization of the workplace is another critical factor. The awning for the boat is a large-sized product, so you need a large flat table or a clean floor. The materials must be free, without cladding. When working with glue or solvents to degrease the seams, the room must be well ventilated, because the vapors of chemistry are toxic.
☑️ Preparation of the workplace
Technology of sewing: step-by-step instructions
The process of making the awning can be divided into several successive steps, first, the main parts are cut according to the prepared patterns, the edges of the sections are recommended to be immediately melted with hot air to prevent the reinforcement threads from falling, which will also facilitate the subsequent docking of the parts.
The main seams are then assembled. The fabric is folded overhead (usually 20-30 mm) and splashed with two parallel lines; the distance between the lines should be sufficient to prevent the fabric from being "waved" between them when the load is applied; additional tapes of the same fabric or reinforced braid are sewn to strengthen the structure in the places of attachment to the frame and tension.
The final step is fitting and fitting, and the Luvers are installed in 30-50 cm increments around the perimeter, depending on the wind load, and in places where the awning comes into contact with the sharp corners of the boat or the frame elements, protective linings of denser material or leather are necessarily sewn.
| Work phase | Tools | Key parameter |
|---|---|---|
| Open it. | Knife, cutter, ruler | Precision +/- 1 cm |
| Cross-linking | Industrial machine | Step line 4-5 mm |
| Installation of loovers | press or forceps | Step 30-50 cm |
| Hermetization | Fen, roller | Temperature 300-400°C |
⚠️ Attention: When you're firming the corners and joints of several layers of fabric, you need to slow down the speed of the material, and a sharp jerk can break the needle and damage the machine mechanism, and also cause ugly puffs on the seam.
Features of winter conservation and ventilation
If you sew a winter storage awning, ventilation becomes critical. A sealed boat becomes a thermos, where temperature changes cause a lot of condensation. Moisture accumulates on the inner walls of the cover and settles on the sides of the boat, which can cause mold and damage to property. So the design of the winter awning must include a system. ventilation.
The simplest and most efficient way is to install ventilation ducts (deflectors) in the lower and upper parts of the awning, through the lower holes will enter cold dry air, and through the upper ones - warm wet air, and you can use special ventilation valves with a mesh that prevent insects and rodents from entering, but provide constant air exchange.
How to calculate the number of ventilation holes?
For a standard boat, 4-5 meters long, it takes two pairs of vents (only 4) diagonally arranged, one hole at the bottom of the transom, the other at the top of the nose, and so on both sides, and this creates natural thrust.
It is important to ensure that the structure is rigid so that the awning does not sag under the weight of the snow, for this purpose a frame of slats or pipes is installed inside, or internal struts are stretched, the fabric must be stretched evenly, without sagging where water can accumulate. reinforced PVC High density is a prerequisite here.
Tent care and extension of service life
Even the best-striped awning requires regular maintenance. The main enemy of PVC fabrics is dirt and organic residues (leaves, bird droppings), which, when decomposed, can damage the protective layer of the material. So regular washing with a soft brush and soap solution is a must. Do not use aggressive solvents, chlorine-containing agents or abrasive sponges, as they destroy the material. UV-protective coating.
Before long-term storage (for example, in the summer, if the awning is removed), the product must be thoroughly dried. folding the wet awning is guaranteed to lead to difficult to remove mold spots and unpleasant odor. It is better to store the case in an unswerved form or in a loose roll, avoiding permanent cracks in the same places, which can lead to microcracks.
Periodically check the condition of the seams and fasteners. If you notice that the thread has begun to "fluff" or thin, it is better to sew the problem area in a timely manner, without waiting for a break, and it is also worth lubricating the metal parts of the buffets and locks (if any) with silicone lubricant to prevent corrosion.
To remove complex PVC awning stains, use a mixture of warm water and a small amount of dishwashing agent. stubborn stains can be gently scrubbed with a soft brush. Avoid high-pressure washers as they can damage the coating fabricing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make a boat awning on a regular household typewriter?
Theoretically, if the machine is metal and powerful (for example, the old models of the Podolsk or the Seagull with a metal body). However, for thick layers of PVC (more than 0.6 mm) and the use of thick threads (LL 70 and above), a special needle (No 120-140) will be required, perhaps removing the lower plate and manually scrolling the flywheel. For regular sewing, it is better to use specialized equipment.
Which fabric is better: Oxford or PVC?
For boat awnings definitely better PVCOxford fabric is typically polyester or nylon with polyurethane or PVC coating, lighter and cheaper, but less resistant to UV and mechanical damage. PVC reinforced is stronger, more durable and better shaped, which is critical for protecting the boat hull.
Do I need to make allowances for shrinkage of tissue?
Yes, high-quality reinforced PVC can shrink, especially if it is subjected to heating (when welding seams) or prolonged exposure to the sun, it is recommended to lay the technological start of 2-3% on linear dimensions, and also take into account the allowances for seams (2-3 cm).
How to strengthen the places of attachment to the frame?
In places where the awning is attached to the frame or is under maximum tension, reinforcement patches ("petaks") of the same material must be installed. Luvers or fastener is installed directly through this patch, which distributes the load over a large area and prevents tissue from rupturing.
Independent sewing of the tent is a savings of up to 60% compared to the order in the studio, provided that the appropriate equipment and skills to work with dense materials are available.