We've been having problems with a new bimini which we had constructed using
Gortex (Tenara) thread and Sunbrella. The Ship's Tailor in Deltaville, VA
did the construction. We were very happy with the fabrication, but all of
the seams leaked with water droplets forming at the needle holes. The
fabricator utilized a #18 needle and after the fact we did a huge amount of
research and have been told that they should have used a #16 needle. Based
upon partial deconstruction we saw that the fabricator sewed through the
seam-stick tape, as they should have.

We also utilized Sunbrella Supreme, which is a new fabric from Sunbrella
which is MUCH more water repellant than normal Sunbrella. The fabric had
flaws in it which didn't become apparent until we were using it. Sunbrella
was great and had a rep meet us in Annapolis to look at the construction.
Later we shipped the bimini to Glenn Raven Mills (who makes Sunbrella) and
they were absolutely great. They said that the fabric was defective and
should never had made it out of the factory. They refunded the entire cost
of having the bimini constructed ($1700) and will provide the fabric for it
to be reconstructed. I love companies who stand behind their products!

Next hurricane season we're planning on returning to Deltaville and have
the Ship's Tailor re-make the bimini. Because BlueJacket spends so much
time in the Caribbean sun, normal thread just doesn't hold up and we've
spent lots of time resewing parts of it. The Gortex thread should hold up
much better, but we're concerned about utilizing Gortex thread again.

Does anyone have positive experience with Gortex thread and Sunbrella that
they would be willing to share? Do you know what construction techniques
were used?

-- Geoff