Canvas camper back

Thanks Warren, places are limited down here. If I've got to install it, I'd like to make it. Already ordered the hardware and replacement tops. Now all I gotta do is get the 1" ss tubing and find someone that will bend it. I'll use the old frame as a template after I make sure the new top will fit the same frame. I'll take pix for those that might follow in my footsteps and try to avoid any mistakes I make.

Charlie
 
JD,
Very nice. I agree with Peter's comment under one of your pictures that it looks like a product of the former "Canvas Riggers". Same as ours with the exception that ours does not extend out over the lazarettes.
 
nimrod":2qk02xx1 said:
Oyster Creek canvas in Bellingham did mine. I couldn't be happier. Pictures in my album.

jd
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Very nice JD. What is the "glass" made of? Is it permanant or replaceable with screen or solid "walls"? I like the little forward facing windows next to the cabin sides.

The TC255 has a nice square stern because of the Armstrong bracket so the back is a lot easier to fit/design/construct.

Charlie
 
There is a huge specturm of quality of canvas work. A good worker will use Tanara thread (UV resistant gortex). SS bows, SS fittings, quality awning rails, free standing frame, so you can use it as a bimini with air flow in hot weather. Better zippers, highest quality material, binding of seams etc.

I had King make a unit for the 25 because I was in a hurry, and the quality was not what my local worker does.

Educate yourself on what are the best features-look at other ones, access, both from the sides and stern etc.
 
Charlie,

The "glass" is some type of vinyl, I believe. The construction was unique in that two sheets were laminated together. Greg at Oyster Cr. explained why this was preferred over single thickness, but his explanation escapes me.

The windows are permanently sewn into the canvas. My other half made curtains that can be attached to the inside for privacy. We don't have too many problems with bugs here so I wasn't concerned with being able to screen in the camperback.

jd
 
thataway":34h0pldg said:
There is a huge specturm of quality of canvas work. A good worker will use Tanara thread (UV resistant gortex). SS bows, SS fittings, quality awning rails, free standing frame, so you can use it as a bimini with air flow in hot weather. Better zippers, highest quality material, binding of seams etc.

I had King make a unit for the 25 because I was in a hurry, and the quality was not what my local worker does.

Educate yourself on what are the best features-look at other ones, access, both from the sides and stern etc.
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Thanks Bob, sage advice as always. Ecucation is what I'm after here, I intend to build all of the best features in as I do it.

JD, two sheets laminated together seems problematic as, if any moisture gets into there, it will quickly become non crystal clear. Maybe it's totally "fused" together so that won't happen though. Gets pretty hot here in the summer, I'll want screens or some capability to have air flow through there. Do your sides zip to the top at the edges?

Charlie
 
Captains Cat":3m8n04zc said:
Found a place on line, Marinepartdepot.com that's currently having a very good sale plus free shipping for the fittings needed. (Prices/free shipping good through today) Ordered all the fittings I needed (for 1" stainless tubing) for less than $200 and now will research 1" SS tubing for the frame. I'll get the bends done locally.

Charlie
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The bimini hardware came today, and I'm very pleased. The fittings are very heavy, highly polished and look to be precise in their machining. It says that they are SS 316 so we'll see how they hold up. When I went back to the website to see about ordering some more stuff, I found that the "sale" that was supposedly over the day I ordered them (17 Oct), apparently extends day by day and was good through today.

I found a local place that will cut the 1" SS tubing using my aluminum frame as a template, so I'm good to go. Will take pix as I make the new bimini frame and report on those cheap bimini "skins" I ordered through iboats too. The parts came from marinepartdepot.com . Take a look, I think it's one heck of a deal they have going. I have no "interest" in that company other than to like what they sell and the price they sell them at.
 
another good place to get hardware is McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). They have good selection of stainless items, are fast (especially west coast), and have fair pricing. I can usually find the hardware that Fisheries Supply, Defender, West Marine etc sells at McMaster-Carr.

jd
 
It *can* be challenging to navigate the website. I usually go with a keyword search, e.g. "stainless hinge". The interface takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty simple.

jd
 
Charlie,

McMaster Carr doesn't really stock "marine fittings" per say but they do stock a lock of different hardware that can easily be used for marine applications - chain, stainless fittings and hinges, even cleats. However, you won't find the full range of marine fittings that you would find at a marine supplier.
 
Finished installing the Bimini except for some adjustments. The new 1" SS is much better than the old 3/4" aluminum. Total cost so far $35 for the "skin", $320 for the bows and probably $200 or so for all of the SS fittings.

Since the bows are one piece, it was kind of a pita to put the skin on it but since it'll not be taken down until I have to replace the skin, I endured. The old Taylor bimini cost about $550 I think, this one is much better.

Eventually, I'll have our local canvas maker come down and measure for sides/screens, etc and have him fabricate the remaining new skin as a full enclosure to replace this one.

I have all of the old "plastic" bimini fittings for 3/4" tubing if anyone wants them.

Charlie
 
I have a custom, fixed bimini top, with full camper back from a 22 Cruiser.
I took it off Bettie's Bateau.
It is located in California near lake Tahoe open to offer or trade. Camper Canvas is like new and bimini is ok.
send me a message if interested.
 
Too bad you didn't tell us that you wanted to take that Cantilever top off--we would have either traded for an excellent condition standard Bimini, or a fair price before you had the boat hauled to Calif.

I wonder why you would want to take that off? It was a work of art! Shipping to get it anywhere will be costly...But it is well worth it--one of the best tops made for a C Dory!

DSC01580.sized.jpg

That is a "jungle Gym", to swing aboard with--no obstructions for fishing... covers all of the way back.

If not sold by Christmas--and we would have some way to get it without going over 3500' elevation (my limit with oxygen)--we may be interested...Don't know how it would fit on my Yukon--but maybe?
 
Too bad I don't have a bigger truck. I could have one of the California brats bring it up to our upcoming Snake/Columbia River run, I grab it, then bring it down to Hontoon in March. But I suspect it's too much for my 5.5' bed, and no where to store it over winter... That is a nice unit! Colby
 
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