"Mark" wrote:

Does anyone know the technical specifications for the vinyl windows used on
canopies, and possible sources to purchase (preferably around South Eastern
Ontario or Northern New York state to minimise shipping costs)?

We bought some to replace our side curtains in the cockpit but I don't
know what kind it was - the originals were going foggy and splitting
too.

We have a flap of the bimini material as a cover for the bimini window
- it is sewn on one side and there is a zipper opposite. On the sewn
side there are two little cords with a loop, so you can unzip one end
and roll the flap up and tie it when you are sailing.


The windows on our canopy are getting old (10+ years) and have gone foggy
and now getting stiff (and starting to split in one spot as well). The
Sunbrella material is still in reasonably good condition and with my wife
being an avid sewer / seamstress (having already re-stitched most of the
seams and zippers), I would like to source some replacement vinyl. We have
tried the local canvas shops and they bascially say "Oh bring it in and we
can do it". This may be a better avenue to go in the long run, but I want
to try sourcing the material to compare costs and give my wife the option to
accept the challenge.

I know there are different grades (thicknesses and quality), but are there
benefits to going thinner (for flexibility) or thicker (for durability)?

Are some types of vinyl material better than others?

By the way, my wife purchased one of those $20 sewing machines at Canadian
Tire not long ago and it works great! It runs on batteries or AC and she
was able to re-stitch the canvas with it while relaxing on the boat at one
of the local islands.

Mark (the Rail, Canopy, & LifeLine Hook guy)
www.ripnet.com/vtf/prod03.htm