Cockpit Canvas

[KKRCRACE]

C-24 cockpit canvas
I have a 2018 C 24 and was wondering how long the cockpit canvas should last. We purchased our boat towards the the end of 2018 and use our boat 6-7 months out of a year. The rest of the time the canvas is stored in a dry place. At the beginning of 2021 all the stitching started coming out and I had to have it redone. I have friends with boats and their canvas has lasted for 10 years. I was wondering if this is normal or just poor quality materials used on my boat? Also the rear seat cover is falling apart.
KKRCRACE

 

[dbsea]

There are many different grades, thicknesses, and corresponding durability levels of canvas. Let’s just say the cutwater canvas is not the best from what I can see…

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

KKR,

Bought our 2019 C-28 in June, 2021. The stitching on the factory bimini was already tearing apart. Did a quick repair but two months later, most of the stitching was falling apart. Bad thread is my guess, not UV resistant.

Spoke to the factory and the reply was that the bimini's only had a one year warranty. I didn't like that, it was obvious that the maker of the bimini used the incorrect thread. As I recall, this was a $3800 factory option at the time for the original owner. The boat was very lightly used and I don't think that the bimini had been used much.

The factory offered to sell me a replacement for $500 but I thought that the stitching would be the same so I dug out my heavy duty sewing machine, used Sunbrella thread and re-sewed the top myself.

Bob/Bradenton

 

[KKRCRACE]

Bob, thanks for the info. Mine is getting in bad enough shape that I will probably have a new one made. It will be expensive but will last a long time. I had planned on making a carbon fiber hard top to replace the canvas but have been to busy to get to it.
KKRCRACE

 

[osfmom]

The stitching on our 2020 R25 lasted less than 2 years in SW Florida. It was pretty expensive to have it all restitched with UV resistant thread.

 

[gwishon]

I’ve had the stitching of the cockpit bimini on our R-29 replaced about every other year. SWF sun will kill even UV resistant thread very quickly.

 

[S@LTD]

You have peaked my curiosity with a carbon fiber hardtop. If you go that route please send pics. I have considered a hardtop many times but seeing how sensitive our boat performance is to weight I decided not to go that route.