OK..this may seem really ridiculous, yet, here goes nothing. My sail and wheel cover are royal blue and I would like for them to be dark navy blue. I suppose that I could buy new ones eventually..but I really don't have the money and I hardly consider this a priority!! Can canvas be dyed??..by myself or professionally?? Or maybe I can make my own covers??..Does anyone know where to buy canvas for the best price by the yard?
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Canvas
James, I don't know if you can dye Sunbrella or not, but most of the major marine stores (Boat US, West, Defender) sell it by the yard. Sailrite may have the better price, but all are around $15-$16 per yard. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
James, I don't know if you can dye Sunbrella or not, but most of the major marine stores (Boat US, West, Defender) sell it by the yard. Sailrite may have the better price, but all are around $15-$16 per yard. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Royal Blue Not Bad !
The sail covers, bimini and dodger on my boat are all dark blue. I prefer the royal blue. The darker colors absorb the heat from sunlight much more than the lighter colors. I prefer Royal Blue as was on my previous boat.
The sail covers, bimini and dodger on my boat are all dark blue. I prefer the royal blue. The darker colors absorb the heat from sunlight much more than the lighter colors. I prefer Royal Blue as was on my previous boat.
Dying sumbrella
I looked into that a few years ago with my old boat, (H27, 1980) and was told my my sailmaker that the fabric could not be dyed. The fibers in the fabric are made of acrylic (plastic) and are nor porous to take the dye. Good luck. Steve, s/v Obsession...
I looked into that a few years ago with my old boat, (H27, 1980) and was told my my sailmaker that the fabric could not be dyed. The fibers in the fabric are made of acrylic (plastic) and are nor porous to take the dye. Good luck. Steve, s/v Obsession...
Canvas Options
James, check the emporium on this site for canvass. I did and found them to be very competitive (ie cheap) with local So Cal fabricators. If you want to try a do-it-yourself, check the web for sailrite kits. In years past, I have made a sail cover, bimini, dodger and other items from kits supplied by them. Not inexpensive, and a lot of time and mistakes, but good if you want to unravel the mystery of this art.
James, check the emporium on this site for canvass. I did and found them to be very competitive (ie cheap) with local So Cal fabricators. If you want to try a do-it-yourself, check the web for sailrite kits. In years past, I have made a sail cover, bimini, dodger and other items from kits supplied by them. Not inexpensive, and a lot of time and mistakes, but good if you want to unravel the mystery of this art.
Canvas fibers and dyes
Practical Sailor publishes a book called "Outfitting" in their Practical Sailor Library series that has a whole chapter on Awnings, Dodgers, and Custom Canvaswork. Interesting reading. Canvas is not a single material -- it can be made from a variety of natural and synthetic fibers. These all vary in their ability to take dye (and to withstand rotting, stretching, and abrasion). Most modern boat canvas is either acrylic or dacron. Acrylic dyes well, dacron does not. Your covers are probably acrylic. Unfortunately, Sunbrella and other treated fabrics probably don't take well to re-dyeing.
Practical Sailor publishes a book called "Outfitting" in their Practical Sailor Library series that has a whole chapter on Awnings, Dodgers, and Custom Canvaswork. Interesting reading. Canvas is not a single material -- it can be made from a variety of natural and synthetic fibers. These all vary in their ability to take dye (and to withstand rotting, stretching, and abrasion). Most modern boat canvas is either acrylic or dacron. Acrylic dyes well, dacron does not. Your covers are probably acrylic. Unfortunately, Sunbrella and other treated fabrics probably don't take well to re-dyeing.
Make new
As long as you have existing pieces to use as a pattern, it’s not difficult to sew them up yourself. You might try some scraps on the wife’s sewing machine first. I may keep you out of trouble later
As long as you have existing pieces to use as a pattern, it’s not difficult to sew them up yourself. You might try some scraps on the wife’s sewing machine first. I may keep you out of trouble later
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