Making a Window Cover

thecode9000 · Post by **thecode9000** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:06 pm

Im looking to make my own front window cover with some sunbrella fabric, similar to one pictured below. Has anyone done this? What are the stainless buttons called? Any specific measurements I should take? Thanks

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:18 pm

thecode9000 wrote:Has anyone done this? What are the stainless buttons called? Any specific measurements I should take?

Have not done it myself, I used a Pro $400 Can their website:
http://www.jtstopshop.com/products/index.asp
See the results on my boat here, first is old one, 100% dark.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32233258@N ... otostream/
There are some other views so look around the site.
also http://www.flickr.com/photos/79664671@N ... 171836650/

I would suggest you consider to use their perforated material (I used 90%) that lets light in while maintaining privacy, from the inside one can see out clearly.
You can buy the snaps and domes from any canvas shop or your local boat outfitter should have them. Consider going around the corner of the windshield to finish it off neatly and keep it snug which is key when underway. Do you have acess to a commercial sewing machine to do the stitching?

How to do it:
Make a template using brown paper to size the material. Make sure you stitch a strengthening strip under the fold of the edges along with an exterior soft strip. Put the male studs on the boat first and then stretch the material and install the domes to match.

Not diificult but to end up with a great finish, no creases and snug tight fit it does take some skill. I'm not sure how much you will really save unless you value your time at zero $$$.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:53 pm

wow,, you paid 400 bucks for the front window snap cover??? that sounds like an awful lot of money for that, I had one made last year for my chris craft which was about 8 feet long and approx 1.5 wide, and I paid 175 for sunbrella with snaps all around

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:47 pm

guglielmo6160 wrote:wow,, you paid 400 bucks for the front window snap cover??? that sounds like an awful lot of money for that, I had one made last year for my chris craft which was about 8 feet long and approx 1.5 wide, and I paid 175 for sunbrella with snaps all around

Well mine was for an F32 not a **it craft and was much larger than that, more than twice that area and it was perforated which is also more money.
Looking at $$ alone tells you nothing, I would expect the quality of the finish of mine to be much more than anything you could get for $150! Does yours have elastic in the top so that it fits snug right up under the bridge?
That is also Can $ which back then was equal to $300 US...so in fact was cheaper as it was twice as big.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:53 pm

g36 · Post by **g36** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:16 pm

i have made several canvas projects on my f32 including a front window covering. i used phifertex mesh and 2"edging of sunbrella. it blocks the sunlight but still allows the ability to see out. this is not hard to do all. if you make a pattern it will be easy to sew. l ihad not done much sewing before this and i believe anyone could do this. give sailrite.com a look and a call if you want they are very nice people and will be happy to help with advice and they carry all the materialsyou will need.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:08 pm

400 bucks is the going rate I paid 300 but that was becuse he had statred on it for the last owner and never finshed. Till i got on his case

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:18 pm

My windshield cover cost $100. as an add-on when they made my full canvas. The canvas guy originally told me to make it myself because it was so easy but for $100. it was worth having him make it. Look at some others and do it yourself and save the money for more important things. They said any home sewing machine will work for most canvas. I used solid canvas so people can't see in at night when we have the lights on.

And as you can see, it keeps the rain off. Like ready123 said rap the corners around so you don't have to use snaps across the top front (tucking it up under the flybridge) just one snap each around the top side corners. Then for the bottom use two on each corner front and side and one on the side bottom straight down from the side top, then a couple on the front bottom just below the windshield.

thecode9000 · Post by **thecode9000** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:28 am

Wow thanks for the fast replies guys!

Im going to tackle this one myself anything over $100 is too much for me espcially since its a small area on my F30. But I will get a pro on the center console cover I need to get redone.

Dan Faith · Post by **Dan Faith** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:43 am

Here's what I did. I needed a bridge cover for my F32 had a local person look at it and he wanted $1,000.00. I have worked with an Amish canvas shop near me so I made rough measurements and he sewed me up Sunberella about 8" larger than my measurments. He expained how he wanted it marked with tailors chaulk I took it and marked in place on the boat he had the equipment to do all the cutting and finishing he supplied two poles and added the gromets for them. Total cost $375.00. I have worked with him in the past and purchased a quality snap fastner. He also supplied the snaps (both sides).

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:46 am

Thought I would show the advantage of the perforated window shield, no heat from sun but 90% of the light. Ignore the mess there were four of us aboard that weekend.

thecode9000 · Post by **thecode9000** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:13 pm

Nice! I definately like the perforated look.

Do they sell Sunbrella in a perforated form or is that a diffrent brand?

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:19 pm

This previous thread may help a bit...

http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... =sunbrella

Trojan Boat Forum

Making a Window Cover

Making a Window Cover

Re: Making a Window Cover

window covering

Light pass thru' with perforated cover.