serendipity
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2024
- Messages
- 162
- Location
- Marion, MA
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-27 (Outboard)
- Vessel Name
- Serendipity
While there have been discussions about the bimini on the R27OB, I wanted to share my recent experience with our 2023 R27OB bimini. Yes, we do get puddling on the top, but that is not what concerns this posting, We have had our new 2023 R27 since April 2024, and prior to that the boat was under shrink wrap at the dealer. For the past 3 years, we have moored our boat in New England from the end of May to the beginning of September: between 3 and 4 months. The bimini is cleaned and retreated each year and stored inside all winter.
As I was removing the bimini this year for the winter, all of the stitching holding for the velcro failed. The Sunbrella was fine, but the thread was completely rotted. Since I have had other boat canvas on sailboats last over 10 years, I believe the reason for the thread failure was the type of thread used. Most canvas shops use either a UV resistant thread (Sailrite sells this) or a Goretex thread to significantly reduce thread failure to UV.
Based on the exposure over 3 short New England seasons, it is clear to me that the bimini, at least, was sewn without using UV resistant thread. While the repair will entail a sewing project this winter, it is a minor repair. However, others should check the stitching on their biminis, as sometimes you can notice the beginnings of thread rot before a complete failure.
Surprisingly, the stitching on the window covers do not show any deterioration: maybe they were sewn with UV resistant thread.
Regardless, we love our R27OB!
As I was removing the bimini this year for the winter, all of the stitching holding for the velcro failed. The Sunbrella was fine, but the thread was completely rotted. Since I have had other boat canvas on sailboats last over 10 years, I believe the reason for the thread failure was the type of thread used. Most canvas shops use either a UV resistant thread (Sailrite sells this) or a Goretex thread to significantly reduce thread failure to UV.
Based on the exposure over 3 short New England seasons, it is clear to me that the bimini, at least, was sewn without using UV resistant thread. While the repair will entail a sewing project this winter, it is a minor repair. However, others should check the stitching on their biminis, as sometimes you can notice the beginnings of thread rot before a complete failure.
Surprisingly, the stitching on the window covers do not show any deterioration: maybe they were sewn with UV resistant thread.
Regardless, we love our R27OB!
