Camperback frame

F

fisherkb

New member
Last Friday I had the pleasure of meeting Tex (Texasair) while he was in Austin. I purchased a full King Marine camperback canvas set from him (great condition -- Tex thank you!). Anyways, I'd like to install it but I need a frame. I contacted King Marine and they have the frame for $385. This seems reasonable but I will still need to do some work on the install (e.g., placement of the proper snaps on the hull, etc.). I was wondering if anyone knows if the camperback frame is a standard model that can be ordered. I ordered from King Marine a boat cover and I know that that they are very good but I'd like to know of any options prior to jumping into the install.

Many thanks!

Karl
 
fisherkb-

Maybe someone here can help you here that has some broad experience with King Marine, but I'd guess that no one knows the answer to your questions better than King Marine themselves.

I'd see if they can identify the specific canvas you bought from their order history for Tex, or whoever bought the canvas originally, and if the order has specifics that you need to know.

I'm sure they'll share any standard measurements with you that you need for the frame and front aluminum luff rope rail.

Many of these companies have sold do-it-yourself canvas projects to folks living away from the maker, and may have installation instructions and measurements already written up!

Be sure to ask them about how tight to set the canvas snap position up on the frame/boat, considering the existing shrinkage considerations with a used canvas.

Some of the installation will be just common sense and good judgement!

Good Luck!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Thanks Joe. I got in contact with King Marine and I am sure they will be able to help. Thanks for the tip on the snap spacing.

My boat must have had a Bimini at one point because their are rivets on the cabin edge ( the kind that stick up and have a turning swivel) as well as snaps along the hull. The spacing doesn't match the new canvas so they were probably from a different manufacturer. I will need to remove them and put the new snaps in. Has anyone done this and if so do have any tips?

Thanks.

Karl
 
I would order the frame from King. Their frames are good, and should fit the camper back/Bimini--I assume that the camper back came with the Bimini top!

You have your choice of putting in new snaps in the canvas or removing the old, and putting in new male snaps on the boat. The latter will be easier and more satisfactory. You may want to plug the old fastener holes, and gel coat over them.

If you have the snap, plus the turn button, the turn button female fasteners are a bit harder to cut and set. (I have friend who has the specific punch and setter. The plain round fasteners are fairly easy to set either with vise grips and dyes or a punch tool and dyes. I like to put a small piece of dacron under the inside of the snap when setting it, to give stiffness. I also like to put the hole in the canvas with a pencil soldering iron. This gives a hole which will not ravel, with heat set edges.

As for a boat cover--in my opinion the best and cheapest is Angola Canvas of Indiana. They made my cover in a couple of days and the price was right, with all of the right padding etc. In my opinion better than King's product. King can vary with who is doing the work. I have seen good work from King, and some which was not so good.
 
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