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New Canvas for JD

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/10/2013 : 04:47:31

We ordered new canvas for JD in the fall last year. The company said it would take at least 10 weeks to complete the order which I thought was a bit steep but they were highly recommended.

We ordered several items:
New Bimini: Our 7 year old, over a thousand miles of travel on the road and years of blistering Florida Sunshine was fried. I had resewn it several times and the frame was bent during a close encounter with a dock pole a year ago. It was time for a replacement.

The new Bimini was to have a couple of better features. I wanted the bimini to be able to fold and be wrapped in a Bimini Boot to protect it while on the road and on the trailer. A baggy on the underside of the top to hold stuff (gloves, Spot etc.) and a shade flap hanging off the back end to provide some shade in the evenings (The wind here is mostly from the East). Also, the old Bimini had a zipper from the side to the back stay hole which I thought was nuts! If we wanted to remove the Bimini we really had to release the back stay so that the frame could be folded back. So the new Bimini was to have a sock for the back stay.

Blue Water Canvas visited our boat several times for templating and fitting and we finally had JD's new outfit installed in time for our New Years sailing trip.

Basically I'm impressed! The quality of the workmanship puts the original Bimini maker to shame. All of the seams are really well done, the fit is perfect (I really did not want the front of the Bimini to be bashed by the boom each time we went about). It really is a beautiful job.

Now, the owner of Blue Water Canvas is not a sailboat guy, in fact a notice on his door suggests that blow-boaters go elsewhere. But I knew that his small company did a lot of work for many of the boat sales companies in Fort Lauderdale and the quality really was good. So I joked with him (Kerry) and he agreed to do the job. I'm glad I did.

In addition to the Bimini, we had a new companion way cover made. Seriously, you would think the original was made by an amateur! The quality of the replacement is so much better. It fits! It uses all of the available snaps and has a reinforcing panel along the top aft edge where it wraps over the padlock.

Finally, we had a new Boom tent made. The old one I made several years ago from a cut off of sunbrella at the local marine flea market. I thought I did a pretty good job. Kerry made a lot of improvements. The new Boom tent covers the pop top and provides rain coverage over the pop top windows. It has a Zippers to connect it to the Bimini and is really finished well.

The last item in the package was a Bimini boot. Now I can fold the frame with the Bimini canvas and zip on the boot which keeps it neatly wrapped up and reduces the wear and tear during trailering. If we need to fold the bimini on the water, I still have to disconnect the back stay, but then the Bimini can either fold forward or back and rest on our 'poles' (Solar Panel pole and TV Antenna pole)

So, it took them a long time to get the job done, but they were up front about that at the outset. Not the cheapest in town and there are plenty of canvas companies around here, but the quality of the work is excellent.

And I think I may have changed his opinion about blow-boaters too!

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 11:42:07

OK....as you are the gate keeper of the pic gallery, we want pics!
What a great entrance into the new sailing season/year

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 12:23:45

Congratulations! The new bimini & boot & tent sound great! You can prove it with the pix.

I'm waiting for my homemade bamboo & sailcloth bimini to wear out so I can get a new one. Since I store it inside a homemade boot made out of an unused roller furling sleeve, that is made of heavy sunbrella, it seems to be lasting forever.

Please show us your pix!

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 18:20:20

Sounds like a nice set up Paul. That Bimini boot will pay for its self, especially during your across state ride to B.E.E.R. 2013, can't wait to see it

see you there.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 19:14:08

Will there be any BEER this year Tom?

Paul

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 19:27:30

We are thinking about trying to make it this year. The wife thought it might be a good vacation to try and see old friends. Problem is the old O28 is to big to trailer to Florida and I don't have time to sail around. It would take me a month to get there

Edited by - Tom Potter on 01/10/2013 19:37:25

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2013 : 21:15:42

Paul, It took my years to convince me to fork out the cost for a bimini. I keep going back to the over the counter ones but they really didn'r do the job I wanted. I finally took the plunge and get a custom job. I got frustrated however after the first two estimates as they still were not what I imagined. An acquaintance hooked me up with a guy who did custom work and saw my vision. Couple of weeks later, I had what I wanted. Yes it cost me but over the last 3 years or so, I have immensely enjoyed my bimini. It was the best investment I have made. I know you understand coming from similar climates. The added protection has made sailing a joy 10 months out of the year.
Funny,its been a little chilly here lately and I am about to remove it for a couple of months.
Seven years is pretty good Paul. I am hoping I can do the same or more. She is pretty much exposed to the elements all year round. But the sunbrella is one tough material. I do have the bimini boot but the framing does rest on my back stay which is the reason I just remove the entire setup. I don't like the pressure on the stay. BTW, don't know if yours has the cat bird seats like mine but I put in 2 windows over them as I do most my sailing from them.
Good luck and you will never regret it, especially with all the miles you put on JD.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 01/10/2013 21:20:10

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2013 : 07:50:22

<center>[url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+1000+81"]

<b>New Canvas</b> click to see the album[/url]</center>

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bsmalley47
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2013 : 08:51:55

I purchased a Bimini from Ameriseam a couple years ago......pictures posted on the forum at that time and also in the current gallery. Was a bit pricey, but attaches to the catbird seat rails and fit perfectly. Still completely satisfied!

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2013 : 14:09:20

Great pics Paul. And now I want a pouch!

Steve A

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