| Taking care of the canvas accessories of your | | | | area under the top from the weather elements. |
| boat need not be a time consuming or difficult | | | | Usually the side curtains are attached to the |
| task. A little regular maintenance and attention to | | | | convertible top by means of a zipper or small, |
| detail when you are boating will make your | | | | metal button snaps and also attached to the |
| canvas last the life of your boat. | | | | gunwale or windshield of the boat by button |
| Normally the canvas components of a boat are | | | | snaps. Care must me taken when storing these |
| very few: a convertible top, side curtains (which | | | | curtains to ensure that the clear plastic material is |
| usually are not really much canvas), boots, and | | | | rolled up and not pinched as it is stored as this will |
| boat covers. Let's address each of these items. | | | | result in cracks and tears in the plastic material. |
| Convertible Tops Most boats have some sort of | | | | Like the snaps on the top, the buttons should be |
| convertible top. Whether yours is a small fishing | | | | removed one at a time to ensure that they do |
| boat, a runabout, a sailboat or a family cruiser, | | | | not tear or rip. Zippers should be periodically |
| thy all employ the same basic principle. There is a | | | | lubricated with wax or Chap Stick. When the side |
| metal (usually aluminum or stainless) frame that is | | | | curtains are stored, make certain that they are |
| attached to the gunwale of the boat by means of | | | | stored in a dry space and that heavy objects are |
| a swiveling piece of hardware which permits the | | | | not placed upon them or other items which might |
| top to fold down or stand up in a position to yield | | | | tend to move and scratch the plastic. |
| sufficient shade to the boat's occupants. When | | | | There may also be an aft curtain to fully enclose |
| deployed the top may be attached to a | | | | the cockpit. Usually, these are mostly canvas and |
| permanent windshield or other boat structure by | | | | sometimes contain a clear plastic window. The |
| means of small button snaps or perhaps by | | | | same techniques for storing, folding and deploying |
| means of a zipper. Care must always be taken | | | | apply as with side curtains. |
| when attaching or detaching the canvas to pull the | | | | Boat Covers When mooring, storing or trailering |
| snaps directly up from a grasp that is very close | | | | the boat, it is advisable to cover the boat from |
| to the snap. Many tops have been ruined by | | | | the elements. When left outside and uncovered |
| crewmembers trying to grab the canvas at one | | | | for any extended period of time, boats tend to |
| end and, with a single yank, try to unsnap more | | | | get very weathered and lose much of their |
| than a single snap. Where zippers are used, care | | | | appeal and value. Boat covers tend to come in |
| must be taken to get the zipper started properly | | | | two varieties - Storage covers which fully enclose |
| before attempting to zip the length of the zipper. | | | | the boat and are tied down to the trailer for |
| You may ease this process by removing pressure | | | | movement along a highway, and Mooring covers |
| on the canvas by detaching the aft end of the | | | | which are intended to cover the boat while it is |
| top from its clips to get the zipper started. You | | | | docked, moored or otherwise sitting still. Most |
| will find this to be considerably easier. Marine | | | | mooring covers are not intended for use while |
| zippers tend to get dry and hard to work. | | | | trailering as the wind can sometimes get under |
| Applying a little chap stick along the zipper and | | | | the cover and cause it to rip off of the boat. |
| zipping it open and closed a couple of times will | | | | Having left a couple of very expensive mooring |
| tend to ease zipper problems greatly. | | | | covers along the highway, I would strongly advise |
| Whenever the canvas convertible top is not | | | | against pulling a boat along at highway speeds |
| deployed, it should be secured in it appropriate | | | | with a mooring cover in place. Mooring covers are |
| 'Boot" (Usually a small zip up canvas cover that | | | | usually designed to snap onto the gunwale (and |
| safely covers the folded up convertible top in its | | | | perhaps the windshield) with small, metal button |
| closed position.) or secured in such a way that it | | | | snaps. When attaching a cover, if you will pull the |
| will not 'catch air' as the boat moves along in the | | | | canvas a snap or two ahead of the one that you |
| water. When closing the top to place it in the | | | | are intending to attach, it will make the process |
| boot, be sure that it is neatly folded and not | | | | go much smoother. When removing the mooring |
| simply crammed into the boot. If you must cover | | | | cover, be sure to remove on snap at a time to |
| the top when it is wet, be certain to open it up | | | | avoid damaging the canvas or the snap |
| and let it air dry before leaving it in the boot for | | | | All marine supply stores sell rather inexpensive |
| any extended period of time. To store a wet | | | | repair kits and extra snaps so that damaged |
| piece of canvas is to ask for mold and mildew | | | | snaps can easily be repaired. It pays to do this in |
| which are the biggest enemies of canvas beyond | | | | advance of the need for the cover. |
| human neglect. | | | | A little bit of prevention thinking and care and |
| Side Curtains Many times, there are small, custom | | | | maintenance of your boat's canvas will save you |
| made pieces of clear plastic which provide closure | | | | a lot of trouble and make your voyage a lot |
| between a deployed convertible top and the | | | | more enjoyable! Have a great cruise! |
| gunwale of the boat. This is to fully enclose the | | | | |