How do you store your canvas? - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  How do you store your canvas?

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   How do you store your canvas?

quattro20vt posted 08-02-2003 02:05 PM ET (US)
In particular, how do you handle windshields, side-curtains, and drop-curtains with plastic windows ("isinglass")? Flat? Rolled? Covered? anything between layers of plastic?
I don't have moorage, and don't like to leave the canvas up to the elements on the trailer at home, so I lower the flying top and keep the boat covered with a tarp. I'd prefer not to leave the window-pieces on the boat (that would just be more things to take off the boat before heading out this time of year).
diamondjj posted 08-02-2003 09:08 PM ET (US)
Everything is rolled. Rolled windshield stored in storage under leaning post seat. Everything else rolled, protected and stored either in front cooler seat or in console.
gimcrack225 posted 09-28-2003 10:07 PM ET (US)
quatro20vt,
Good subject,
Boating today in the rain it was impossible to see through the PVC windscreen and side curtains (mfg'd by Mills Canvas) . After web surfing I discovered how fragile this material is or more particularly how easy it is to damage it.
You can probably take a college course in the proper cleaning and storage of PVC "isinglass" windshields and side curtains.
As others on CW have suggested, Plexus Plastic Polish http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html (west marine) is a good cleaner.
The info in the following link is opposed to rolling the plastic. I thought rolling the windows would be fine. Apparently moisture needs to be kept away during storage.
http://www.bestboatcare.com/Cleaningyourplastics&enclosure.html
gimcrack225 posted 09-28-2003 10:10 PM ET (US)
Sorry about replying on the General Forum, I didn't know how to switch the thread to a different area.
Karl
jaccoserv posted 09-28-2003 10:35 PM ET (US)
I usually shy away from rolling. I just shake my head when I see people running their boats with the windows rolled. After a few years, you can see a 1" wide scratch running all the way down the plastic from where the nylon strap was. It doesn't take much in terms of vibration to get those things chafing.
jimh posted 09-29-2003 12:13 AM ET (US)
I try to keep the canvas rolled around large diameter mailing tubes. I also have some old beach towels that are dedicated to being rolled up along with the window/canvas sections to prevent scratching. Studied this technique from LHG--his ten-year-old Mills stuff looks like new.
Ironically, we were just washing all the canvas this afternoon, trying to get some of the salt off it before putting it away for the winter. This was in the backyard, not on the boat.
gimcrack225 posted 09-29-2003 09:21 AM ET (US)
jIMh
Good point, salt crystals will scratch the plastic side curtains and windscreens particularly if you grind them in while trying to scrub. I guess the key is flood with lots of clean fresh water, air dry, and interleave with soft terry-cloth.
As far as anti-fog or anti-beading preparations, anything with alcohol is damaging, something about "leaching out plasticizers". That means forget about RainX or similar products.
You took your boat out already?
Karl
jimp posted 09-29-2003 01:01 PM ET (US)
I get a lot of rain in Southeast Alaska. For stowing my canvas on my 1990 Revenge 22 WT:
Bimini - Original. When not in use, stowed in a boot in the raised position.
Windshield - 3 years old. Put in a long, soft, cloth pillow case type envelope (I used to wrap it in towels). I got some old cloth that my wife didn't need and sewed an "pillow case" that I could put the windshield in. Its roughly 8' long and 30" wide. I left a hole in the "far" end so I could reach through and pull the windshield through. A bit of a pain, but the windshield only has minor scratches. Then I roll it up fairly tight. No pastic touches plastic - only soft cloth.
Side curtains - Original. Minimize folding the plastic, but I make it as small as possible.
Drop curtain - Original. Avoid sharp folds to the plastic, fold sides over & around the plastic, make it as small as I can. Avoid putting zippers directly on plastic.
Stuff all in an old duffle bag (about 3-ft long). Everthing is folded so it fits in the bag. The drop curtain goes in first, then the sides, then the windshield.
Several years ago, I built two storage boxes under/aft of the helm and passenger seats. The inside storage area on both just happens to be about 3' long and that's where the canvas is stowed. The starboard box holds a cooler.
JimP
Taylor posted 09-29-2003 01:53 PM ET (US)
I also use beach towels. I picked up a couple of inexpesive ones from Costco and I roll the windshield and side curtains in those. Its important that one peice of plastic not touch another. With the side curtains you can fold a flap of the canvas over the window to help with this.
A side benefit of using towels is that I now have a couple of towels on board in case someone gets wet. Last time we got caught in a rainstorm these came in handy - canvas went up, towels went around the kids.
Storing the windshield rolled separately might be good since the windshield gets used more than the side curtains. If I roll overthing together and stuff it in a long stuff sack I happen to have the whole roll fits athwartships in the console of my Montauk.
My forward shelter is stored down in the bow with its boot on, and I think that window is taking more of a beating, what with kids and dogs walking on it. Even with a towel protecting the folded window, and trying to keep the fold from becoming a crease, I think that window is going to wear out sooner. Anyone have an idea for this?
At the begining of this season I had all the window material replaced in my canvas. It was not terribly expensive ($300?) and it made the canvas as good as new.
BW23 posted 09-29-2003 04:58 PM ET (US)
I agree with the comments above. In the off season I clean it well, then use hangers w/clips and hang it in the basement or closet.
Jerry Townsend posted 09-29-2003 05:13 PM ET (US)
Hey guys - first things first - clean and DRY your canvas before storing. Rolling/folding canvas with any moisture is asking for and guaranteed to receive major problems. Make sure it is dry! ---- Jerry/Idaho
doobee posted 09-29-2003 10:01 PM ET (US)
After washing and drying, I lay it out flat on the floor under my king size bed, with a sheet in between if necessary. It stays, warm, dry, and wrinkle free all winter.
If only I could fit the whole boat . . .

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: How do you store your canvas?
quattro20vt	posted 08-02-2003 02:05 PM ET (US) In particular, how do you handle windshields, side-curtains, and drop-curtains with plastic windows ("isinglass")? Flat? Rolled? Covered? anything between layers of plastic? I don't have moorage, and don't like to leave the canvas up to the elements on the trailer at home, so I lower the flying top and keep the boat covered with a tarp. I'd prefer not to leave the window-pieces on the boat (that would just be more things to take off the boat before heading out this time of year).
diamondjj	posted 08-02-2003 09:08 PM ET (US) Everything is rolled. Rolled windshield stored in storage under leaning post seat. Everything else rolled, protected and stored either in front cooler seat or in console.
gimcrack225	posted 09-28-2003 10:07 PM ET (US) quatro20vt, Good subject, Boating today in the rain it was impossible to see through the PVC windscreen and side curtains (mfg'd by Mills Canvas) . After web surfing I discovered how fragile this material is or more particularly how easy it is to damage it. You can probably take a college course in the proper cleaning and storage of PVC "isinglass" windshields and side curtains. As others on CW have suggested, Plexus Plastic Polish http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/about.html (west marine) is a good cleaner. The info in the following link is opposed to rolling the plastic. I thought rolling the windows would be fine. Apparently moisture needs to be kept away during storage. http://www.bestboatcare.com/Cleaningyourplastics&enclosure.html
gimcrack225	posted 09-28-2003 10:10 PM ET (US) Sorry about replying on the General Forum, I didn't know how to switch the thread to a different area. Karl
jaccoserv	posted 09-28-2003 10:35 PM ET (US) I usually shy away from rolling. I just shake my head when I see people running their boats with the windows rolled. After a few years, you can see a 1" wide scratch running all the way down the plastic from where the nylon strap was. It doesn't take much in terms of vibration to get those things chafing.
jimh	posted 09-29-2003 12:13 AM ET (US) I try to keep the canvas rolled around large diameter mailing tubes. I also have some old beach towels that are dedicated to being rolled up along with the window/canvas sections to prevent scratching. Studied this technique from LHG--his ten-year-old Mills stuff looks like new. Ironically, we were just washing all the canvas this afternoon, trying to get some of the salt off it before putting it away for the winter. This was in the backyard, not on the boat.
gimcrack225	posted 09-29-2003 09:21 AM ET (US) jIMh Good point, salt crystals will scratch the plastic side curtains and windscreens particularly if you grind them in while trying to scrub. I guess the key is flood with lots of clean fresh water, air dry, and interleave with soft terry-cloth. As far as anti-fog or anti-beading preparations, anything with alcohol is damaging, something about "leaching out plasticizers". That means forget about RainX or similar products. You took your boat out already? Karl
jimp	posted 09-29-2003 01:01 PM ET (US) I get a lot of rain in Southeast Alaska. For stowing my canvas on my 1990 Revenge 22 WT: Bimini - Original. When not in use, stowed in a boot in the raised position. Windshield - 3 years old. Put in a long, soft, cloth pillow case type envelope (I used to wrap it in towels). I got some old cloth that my wife didn't need and sewed an "pillow case" that I could put the windshield in. Its roughly 8' long and 30" wide. I left a hole in the "far" end so I could reach through and pull the windshield through. A bit of a pain, but the windshield only has minor scratches. Then I roll it up fairly tight. No pastic touches plastic - only soft cloth. Side curtains - Original. Minimize folding the plastic, but I make it as small as possible. Drop curtain - Original. Avoid sharp folds to the plastic, fold sides over & around the plastic, make it as small as I can. Avoid putting zippers directly on plastic. Stuff all in an old duffle bag (about 3-ft long). Everthing is folded so it fits in the bag. The drop curtain goes in first, then the sides, then the windshield. Several years ago, I built two storage boxes under/aft of the helm and passenger seats. The inside storage area on both just happens to be about 3' long and that's where the canvas is stowed. The starboard box holds a cooler. JimP
Taylor	posted 09-29-2003 01:53 PM ET (US) I also use beach towels. I picked up a couple of inexpesive ones from Costco and I roll the windshield and side curtains in those. Its important that one peice of plastic not touch another. With the side curtains you can fold a flap of the canvas over the window to help with this. A side benefit of using towels is that I now have a couple of towels on board in case someone gets wet. Last time we got caught in a rainstorm these came in handy - canvas went up, towels went around the kids. Storing the windshield rolled separately might be good since the windshield gets used more than the side curtains. If I roll overthing together and stuff it in a long stuff sack I happen to have the whole roll fits athwartships in the console of my Montauk. My forward shelter is stored down in the bow with its boot on, and I think that window is taking more of a beating, what with kids and dogs walking on it. Even with a towel protecting the folded window, and trying to keep the fold from becoming a crease, I think that window is going to wear out sooner. Anyone have an idea for this? At the begining of this season I had all the window material replaced in my canvas. It was not terribly expensive ($300?) and it made the canvas as good as new.
BW23	posted 09-29-2003 04:58 PM ET (US) I agree with the comments above. In the off season I clean it well, then use hangers w/clips and hang it in the basement or closet.
Jerry Townsend	posted 09-29-2003 05:13 PM ET (US) Hey guys - first things first - clean and DRY your canvas before storing. Rolling/folding canvas with any moisture is asking for and guaranteed to receive major problems. Make sure it is dry! ---- Jerry/Idaho
doobee	posted 09-29-2003 10:01 PM ET (US) After washing and drying, I lay it out flat on the floor under my king size bed, with a sheet in between if necessary. It stays, warm, dry, and wrinkle free all winter. If only I could fit the whole boat . . .