Replacement Enclosures - Anyone have a Source?

[bartlettsails]

Hi - Does anyone know who has the pattern for replacement enclosures? After calling Carver, they only keep them for 10 years?

Anyone know who makes them aftermarket? I'm trying to avoid having a canvas manufacturer make them from scratch to save some $$$$.

This is for a 1995 Carver 280 Express. I have the bimini and need new side and rear pieces.

Thanks in advance!

[Midnightsun]

Not to burst your bubble but I do not believe you can buy canvas off the shelf that will fit your boat properly. Some people do make them from patterns for various brands however they give you the job of installing the snaps as otherwise it would not fit. Leta's top shop is a reputable place and I know they have most of the patterns for Bayliner and other brands but not sure about Carver. Worth a phone call to verify. http://letastopshop.com

[bud37]

Quite honestly,also like Hans, I don't believe you will save anything in the long run....get an estimate from your local canvas guy/gal/shop, you might be surprised and then everything will work right and fit properly.

[mjk1040]

You want a good fit and good looking canvas job have them custom mad at a good canvas shop.

[tomschauer]

Custom made, usually better fit and less expensive believe it or not. And you can change the configuration.. My 355 had zippers directly in the center of my normal forward view, not anymore.

[Viper]

Even if Carver still had them, you'd need to consider that modifications might have been made by previous owners. If that were the case, any original design off the shelf wouldn't work, and sometimes modifying an existing pattern is more time consuming than simply starting from scratch. You can also take this opportunity to have it designed to suite your particular needs. In the end, the additional cost may give you a product that you'll be happier with.

There are good canvas people and not so good ones. Get references from a few and contact them. If you're at a marina, chances are the marina works with one or two outfits so ask other marina members that have had work done if they are happy with the outcome. And don't pay for it all up front.

[SplashyLady]

Carver does not have replacement canvas/enclosures. Figure in the range of $4,000 for a quality job with Sunbrella, good clear vinyl, and front/side/rear curtains with half-moon zipper openings. You can pay a LOT more - for example, Strataglass is about $250 per sheet. It will cost you a lot more if you go with that compared with Crystal Clear or Regalite. YKK zippers and make sure they use marine quality thread. It seems weird, but some canvas suppliers use non-marine thread, and the UV from the sun kills it in 1-2 years. A quality canvas job should last 10-15 years with proper maintenance.

Good luck!

[tomschauer]

When you buy new "canvas" always keep in mind that depending on your boat, the canvas is minimal. You normally have more clear vinyl than canvas. make sure you have the best clear vinyl and zippers you can afford.