Sunbrella camper

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pcator

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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Donna Marie
I have had a really bad experience with the sunbrella camper so far. First I had mysterious holes appear in the top. Now the top is leaking in various places. Not necessarily in the seams. This thing has only been put up 3/4 times and was new in November 2006.

How are others faring?

Patrick
 
Where did you get your Camper Top/Back made? Call them or the dealer and ask the hard questions. Are you sure you got Sunbrella? or a knock-off material.
 
That would have been my question too, are you sure it's really Sunbrella? All Sunbrella covers I've had last 5-10 yrs at least, maybe the seams give out, but that's not the material's fault.
 
We only have good things to say about our Sunbrella camperback - made by Canvas Riggers in Oak Harbor. We did just notice a zipper had pulled away a bit from the material, so we will need to get it sewed up - but it has completely performed as advertised for us, don't know how we would have done without it on the Alaska adventure. Here is a good shot of ours:
Daydream_at_Sullivan_Bay_6_12_06.sized.jpg
 
I agree that if it is performing like this it either is a bad batch or it is not "Sunbrella"--another possibility is that you have aluminum bows without or bad annodization, and that salt water sat on the bows, causing detiorration of the Sunbrella . Or some acid got on the canvas.

Unfortunately there are copies of Sunbrella from SE Asia and they are not satisfactory for boat use. Sunbrella is made by Glen Raven mills. Glen Raven does make some lighter fabric, but it is not Sunbrella. We have used Sunbrella for over 30 years and never had a problem, even with full time cruising in very severe elements. Sunbrella is plain, Sunbrella Plus, which has a coating on the inside which does make it fully water proof. and SeaMark--which is Sunbrella with Hartz vinly coating on the underside.

Agree contact who made the canvas, check out the actual fabric--and please post some photos of the areas. This should be made right!
 
Brother Mike and I pulled GYPSY from the slip yesturday...and one of the stops while she is on the hard will be a trip to the canvas shop....and this is for some canvas replacement....after many...many years...and could be the original sunbrella on her now.. and as an example of the use...constant use of this top, Brother Mike and B added over 400 hours to their boat motor in one year...and he owns his own business and works about 50-60 hours a week....so they aint waiting on good weather....they just go...and use their top/camper sides.

Yep, many covers in our family of Sunbrella.

Like others.... I think I would check into/back with who ever provided you the top... but then... you can abuse them....and greatly reduce their longevity....but that was way fast...
 
Thanks for the comments. I appreciate the time you guys/gals spend giving a helping hand.

I got the camper from King Marine and it came with the new boat. I have had it opened only 3/4 times. Have not actually used it on the water yet. Have stainless steel frame. Keep it rolled up on the bow and covered with a boot when not in use.

I will get in touch with King.

Again, thanks

Patrick
 
Mysterious holes rings a bell. Do you keep your boat in the water and do fishermen cast near the docks? They do at my marina and I have collected a few lures that they have been nice enough to cut line on and not just rip out. My Sunbrella has been up most of the time for 4 seasons and looks just fine. I too fear you may have gotten something else.
 
Boy, I wish it where as simple as fish hooks. But I don't keep it in the water. I live in the mountains of western NC on a dairy farm. Never had the camper open while on the water.

When I first put up the camper, I noticed I didn't receive the screens that was ordered with the boat. It took a couple months and many phone calls and emails from my dealer to get the proper sides. I even made several calls to C-Dory.

Last week I received the sides with screens only to find out that the port side had the wrong zipper. Then yesterday it rained and I found water leaking in at places I wouldn't expect to see water. I would expect it maybe along the seems but it's leaking on plain canvas between the frame.

The dealer talked to "Dave" and he said the only time he has seen holes like this is when a tarp was used. I have a custom boat cover that won't fit with the frame up. I have to lay the frame against the cabin to put it on and I never move the boat when in this position. Pictures where sent but no reply.

King Marine said they would replace the top at a cost of $400.00. I would have to send the old one back at my cost. This on a top that was new in November.

Waiting to hear from my dealer this morning for the next step.

So far I have received a C-Dory hat from the factory and material for curtains from King Marine which I appreciate. I will need the hat to keep the water off my head from the leaking top and the material to patch the holes.

Just venting.

Patrick
 
On my other boat the Sunbrella Biminni and side curtains on the flying bridge and the camper enclosure over the cockpit are 18 years old and going strong! Of course, they have been in a covered berth that only gets some minor sun during the early morning and virtually no rain. Makes you appreciate just how detrimental the sunlight and rain are. We are also protected largely from wind, and have been in nothing but fresh water during that time. Also, we have no birds roosting in the overhead structure. Their droppings are fertilizer for mildew and rot. (That's why they put metal cones over the top of wood pilings.)

Don't forget to clean and treat your Sunbrella with waterproofing regularly.

Sunbrella Care

CLICK ON THE CLEANING AND CARE MENU AT THE TOP LEFT!

Joe.
 
AN AFTER THOUGHT:

How many of you use AEROSPACE 303 Protectant on your Sunbrella, clear vinyl, or upolstery? (Recommended by Sunbrella)

Joe.
 
We used what Sunbrella said to use, and it worked well. The mooring
cover was over 10 years old when I sold the boat, and still worked
very well. The camper itself was perfect because it was not used all
that often: 10-20 days/year. We use "210 protectant" on the eisen glass.
That works very well.

There must be something odd with the original poster's material. This
kind of thing doesn't usually happen with Sunbrella. That's probably
why King is dubious.

Is there a small piece you can cut off and send to Sunbrella? Perhaps
they can verify if the material is their's or a knock-off. Perhaps
there is recall on certain batches that King is unaware of?

Mike
 
One other thought: did King say you were getting Sunbrella, or something
"Sunbrella like?"

Mike
 
I do use 303, but there are two different products for fabric (use on Sumbrella) and vinly (on my other boat's seats).
 
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