plastic arch above door and windows

V

Viewfinder

New member
Wondering if anyone has replaced the plastic arch above door and windows?
Is that piece available? Due to the camper back snaps, over the winter it has broken in several places near the snap installation. Always stored inside, but not heated garage.

Happy Ventures
Viewfinder C-Dory 22 2004
 
Viewfinder":38bpacuv said:
Wondering if anyone has replaced the plastic arch above door and windows?
Is that piece available? Due to the camper back snaps, over the winter it has broken in several places near the snap installation. Always stored inside, but not heated garage.

Happy Ventures
Viewfinder C-Dory 22 2004
Click to expand...
I'm not exactly sure to what piece you are referring. Can you provide more detail as to the location, color etc.?
 
Since you have a 2001, I think I know what you mean. Let me describe it, and if I have it right a replacement should not be too hard. My boat has a cabin door made of white Starboard™, with a half window. I would think yours does too. The door sits flush, so to do that it is in a "depression" in the cabin bulkhead. This leaves a space above the door that is also inset. So, a "dummy" piece of Starboard is placed here to make it flush with the door. Is this the piece you mean? Only thing that seems questionable is that my bimini attaches to awning rail that is on the cabin roof, and you mention attachment points. Anyway, if it is the piece I referred to above, then you should be able to use matching Starboard. There is white, and then I think the cream color is "Seafoam," but check for yourself (and see of course what color your door is).

Otherwise, if you mean the plastic "track" that the bimini "rope" slides into (if you have that style), then that is called awning rail, awning track, or Keder rail or track and you can get it at places like Sailrite.com. Note that on some of them the groove is "on top" and on some it faces the side (which would be aft). You'll likely want to match what you have.

Here is a photo that shows the first thing I thought of when reading your post, which is the above-door "filler piece" -- although it's not above the windows but only the door, so (?). I'm not at the boat right now to look at how it is attached, but my guess is that it would be fairly straightforward.

Door_filler_piece.jpg
 
Reading the post, I believe that it is the awning rail which is broken. Pretty hard for Starboard to break in that location (which is the same as my boat also.

Another option for purchase is a local RV repair place. Many keep awning rail in stock. You will want the PVC most likely, although the aluminum can be fairly easily flexed to the roof contour.
 
Agreed, re-reading it probably is the awning rail. Except... broke where snaps attach to it...? Mine slides in with a "bolt rope" and the only snaps are one on each side (on the blue brow though) that anchor the very outboard edges.

Now I wonder if this is one of the bimini installations wherein a section of teak or plastic was used to anchor snaps that take the place of the awning rail. I think some canvas shops have done it that way. If so, I'd be tempted to consider changing over to the rail/bolt rope, as I think it's a better method. A little canvaswork would likely be needed. On mine this is only a thin "strip" of the bimini that is attached, and then a zipper attaches to that strip (which allows easy cockpit ingress and egress).

Now we just have to wait to find out what is really broken!
 
I have an awning rail with snaps across the roof which cracked apart about every 5 to 7 years. It was a clear plastic and I believe it was HDPE. First replacement was supplied by the awning maker (Proctor Canvas in Proctor,MN). For the second one I ordered a custom cut Starboard from Boatoutfitters.com . It's been in 3 years (also stored inside, no heat, sometime below 0 F) and shows no sign of cracks which the HDPE would have by now. Boat Outfitters gave me great service; surface orientation was critical and they got it right with a lot of pre-discussion; not knowing the industry lingo I ask a lot of questions to make sure we're talking about the same subject. Only downside is shipping was extra fees because of the long length and more than the product.

Jay
 
I almost mentioned Proctor Canvas, as I remembered them as being one who used an anchoring strip of plastic (or etc.) and then snaps to attach the forward end of the bimini. Maybe that's what Viewfinder is asking about.
 
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