Custom canvas/hatch screens for Valkyrie!

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats!

I just had custom canvas made for Valkyrie. Although the King Marine canvas was good quality, it was too short for my 6'3" and didn't extend far enough aft for enough shade or rain protection.

The new canvas is free-standing and doesn't have to attach to the cabin top, but can in case of rain. Also, it has 6'8" of headroom and extends all the way to the transom.

It can be folded back or forward against the cabin for more room when we are after Lake Erie walleye or fishing in the Keys or SC.

The sides are screened and the back panel snaps down at mid-splashwell, giving the cockpit a very roomy feel.

I also had the guy make snap-on screens for the forward, opening window and forward hatch. The factory side window covers were modified by adding snaps because the velcro kept falling off. Also, at midpoint, double sided snaps allow them to be folded back to allow for ventilation for the side windows.

I've just added some photos to our album showing the detail.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick - the new canvas looks good. Can't tell from a photo, but the quality looks good. Can tell from a photo, the design is outstanding.
 
Dave,

The quality is very high. The canvas guy is a small, local operation and I went to him because he did a great job on the canvas and also the upholstery in the cabin of our sailboat.

I gave him a rough idea of what we wanted and he took it from there. The free-standing idea was his and the extra air flow should be great in warm weather.

Actually, at first I thought the 6'8" headrom was too much, but he convinced me otherwise. Now, it doesn't look out of place like I thought it would because it's balanced off by the high top and the tall radar arch.

The idea for the screens for the forward hatch and opening center window was mine. It's simple, clean and no velcro.

We are really looking forward to enjoying it this summer, and beyond.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nice canvas! Is the "extra flap" that attaches the bimini to the cabin permanently attached to the bimini? Does it roll up and store beneath the bimini when in the "air flow" mode? Can you fold the bimini (or entire camper enclosure back to the stern? For instance if you want to access the arch or roof because a dingy was up there, etc. It looks like the tall horizontal support rails on each side might be hinged to allow temporarily folding the outfit back but not sure.
Some well thought out touches!

Regards, Mark
 
Mark,

The extra flap zips onto both the bimini and a zipper that is installed on the cabin top.

The horizontal SS tube is hinged and secure by a pin. Remove the pin, fold the tube and the entire thing folds back into a standard "radar arch" position very easily. The sides and back would have to be removed to fold it.

Dinghy access from the cockpit would take less than a minute.

The framework is strong enough to leave up when trailering, according to the canvas guy.

Also, he said that the black screen material also has a "shade" effect to it, as well.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Nick,
I really like the snap-on screens. Do you get a tight enough fit to keep out the little buggers? Is the edge of the screen some sort of elastic or just plain edging? I want to have some made but I would think it would be hard to seal around the edges.
 
Ken,

The screens fit snugly, but I don't know how effective they will be due to a dearth of little critters in northern Ohio this time if year. We got two inches of snow last night!

The edge is not elastic, but sewn to go around the corners and provide a pretty good seal.

I imagine black flies (Canadian variety) could find their way in, but not much else. Hey, the mosquitoes in the Canadian side of Lake Erie can be kept out by closing the hatches and windows halfway!

The really interesting idea is to have a screen made to fit on the inside of the door, negating the need to put up the camper canvas every night.

The canvas guy said that he could do that, too, but I had spent a bundle already and decided to wait until next year.

I'll give everyone an after-action report later in the season.

Also, I told Darrell that when I put these shots on the site and went to the East Coast Gathering, some others might want their own made. All he needs is the dimensions of your hatch or window.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Hey Nick, did your canvas guy keep a pattern of your top so he could make about a hundered others for the rest of us? Very nice looking.
You gonna have it down at Langford in June?

Charlie
 
Charlie,

No pattern. Everything is a one-off. Darrell is very fussy (which is good) and only does one-of-a-kind work and tailor makes every one.

He's so good that he even made the new stuff so that he could use the snaps already there from the King Marine stuff.

Langford. I'm counting the days and the canvas is coming with the boat!

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
That's too bad. That means, I guess, that if I want one, I gotta bring my boat to Ohio....Oh well :sad

See you at Langford, if your top were blue, you'd have to put a lock on it.

Charlie
 
Charlie,

If you come to Ohio to do that, count on spending some time running with us on Lake Erie. Great cruising in the islands in the Western Basin and many quaint ports on the Canadian side.

Conditions are similar to the Bay: short chop, where-did-that-come-from-storms and so on. BUT, you can drink the water if you really have to, great fishing and you don't feel sticky after swimming.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Thanks Nick. I'll think on it. We can drink the Bay water too, if you don't mind salt. I would think if I put enough Scotch in it, it might be OK. :smilep

Or not.

You could always take him your boat again for a measurement and have him ship it to me?

Charlie
 
To everyone who asked about getting screens or canvas made for your boat by Darrell of Rayco Canvas:

I called his shop today and he's out of town until the middle of next week. When I have more info on pricing and if he's interested in building canvas for you by using my boat for a model and then shipping to you for installation, I'll let you know.

I'll be glad to take Valkyrie back to his shop to help out.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Hi Folks,

This is an idea I got from my youngest daughters father-in-law for screening the forward hatch.

Make a tent with cloth screening anchored with a small chain that holds it down around the hatch. The chain is sewn with a cloth tube. Then you can have the hatch open at whatever you want.

Then make a piece of canvas with grommets at the four corners. Attach the forward grommets to the bow rail forward of the hatch. Attach the aft grommets to the side cleats. This will cover the forward hatch, let air in, and rain water out.

As soon as my daughter gets a chance to sew it, I will take pictures to show you.

Fred Heap
 
Hi Brats,

We're approaching the end of the season here on Lake Erie and as someone suggested earlier in this thread, this is a report on the effectiveness of our custom canvas.

In one phrase, we love it! The added length that goes all the way to the end of the transom makes all of the difference with both sun and rain. With the sides attached and the aft panel removed we sat out a 24 hour rain while at anchor in East Harbor and had full, and I mean full, use of the cockpit.

We could have our feet on the splashwell or have the laptop with a DVD on the filet/bait prep table mounted on the rear rail with complete protection.

I would strongly recommend the added length to anyone getting canvas made.

Also, the snap-on forward window and forward hatch screen were very effective, as well. We also give all of our screen a squirt of bug repellent when the critters are plentiful.

Finally, adding the extra snaps at the mid point of the King Marine inside window covers was handy in marinas. They allowed for privacy, although not complete, while still giving us ventilation that we would not have had were the covers in place, blocking the screens.

With the addition of the new sliding, screened door window, ventilation should we even better next year.

Best regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
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