PosessionSound26PC
New member
Another project undertaken this spring (2019) was to replace the zippers on the stern portion of the boat canvas which had deteriorated to the point of being unusable and to add a water-based water-proofer to the canvas to make it more effective.
The teeth of the two upper zippers above the boat transom, joining the port and starboard canvas panels to the top panel, were badly deteriorated such that the zipper no longer stayed zip and would come undone at the slightest breeze. The four zipper halves were determined to be as follows:
1. YKK, #10 Vilson, White, Double Pull
2. 32" zipper half at the top of each of the port and starboard panels
3. 33" zipper half at each side of the top panel
36" replacement zippers were sourced at Sailrite.com, along with size V-69 Sunstop UV resistant white polyester thread. Sailrite.com noted that size V-69 is the thickest thread usable in home sewing machines and although Sunstop thread is not as good as Lifetime or other much more expensive threads, the canvas is 30 years old and won't be around too much longer, so good enough!
Old zipper:
After the zippers were fixed, a water based water-proofer was sprayed on the outside and inside of the canvas to increase its water repelling effectiveness. I used Star Brite Sea-Safe Waterproofing Spray from Amazon and applied as directed.
The teeth of the two upper zippers above the boat transom, joining the port and starboard canvas panels to the top panel, were badly deteriorated such that the zipper no longer stayed zip and would come undone at the slightest breeze. The four zipper halves were determined to be as follows:
1. YKK, #10 Vilson, White, Double Pull
2. 32" zipper half at the top of each of the port and starboard panels
3. 33" zipper half at each side of the top panel
36" replacement zippers were sourced at Sailrite.com, along with size V-69 Sunstop UV resistant white polyester thread. Sailrite.com noted that size V-69 is the thickest thread usable in home sewing machines and although Sunstop thread is not as good as Lifetime or other much more expensive threads, the canvas is 30 years old and won't be around too much longer, so good enough!
Old zipper:
After the zippers were fixed, a water based water-proofer was sprayed on the outside and inside of the canvas to increase its water repelling effectiveness. I used Star Brite Sea-Safe Waterproofing Spray from Amazon and applied as directed.