Zippers on Board
You've already gotten the advice I'd have given, and I learned something too - suntan lotion!? After 7 years of liveaboard cruising in the tropic islands I've found that wonderful as they are, plastic zippers don't/won't/can't last when exposed to UV. We spent months at a time in the out islands where finding materials to make boat repairs of any type is difficult at best, my first choice is always to do whatever project in the manner least likely to fail. In the case of plastic zippers that means having every exposed zipper covered with a sacrificial trim. I learned that useful as hook-and-loop Velcro-type closures are, they don't last out doors either. So, I would choose metal snaps; Sailrite's "common sense" fasteners, or even rope ties where possible, before using something which will degrade. This will save you time, annoyance and lots of $$$. NOTE: If or when you have any canvas work done you will be wise to add "all exterior zippers to be covered with matching Sunbrella" on your specifications. My favorite source of information on these kinds of boat projects is: "This Old Boat" by Don Casey. Coast Guard or no, Chapman's goes overboard before this truely practical, light hearted book does!
