Replacement Canopy

[buBarry]

The wind shredded my boatlift canopy and I am looking for a replacment. I have a 24' Floe. Doing the usual web search, it seems like there are only a couple of different companies that actually make replacement canopies and a gazillion distributors.

Anyone replaced their canopy and have some advice to offer?

FWIW, the replacement from the the manufacturer is >$1000 and I have found a few in the $800 range with 5-7 year warranties.

Any advice you have to offer would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Michigan boarder]

I would definitely go with the manufacturer. Yes it's expensive, but I've seen people go cheap on the canopy only to have it sewn wrong or fit weird, and the owner unhappy with it. Then returns are an issue. The manufacturer will make a good fitting product and stand by it.

[bretski75]

I have the standard canopy on mine but will definitly consider the Seamark option when mine goes bad. I've heard its similar ti Sunbrella. Anyone???

I know its at least 1.5 times as much

Edited August 2, 2010 by bretski75

[Sixball]

One or two on my lake have used shrink wrap. One looked good. the other was not so good not a good job with the shrink wrap.

[buBarry]

The warranties on the aftermarket canopies are actually better than the manufacturer, so I am not sure that I buy that the manufacturer has the best one out there.

It probably had a lot to do with the propensity for seagulls to "visit" the top of my canopy, but the original only lasted 6 years.

Shrink wrap? Are you talking about the mooring cover?

[Michigan boarder]

The warranties on the aftermarket canopies are actually better than the manufacturer, so I am not sure that I buy that the manufacturer has the best one out there.

It probably had a lot to do with the propensity for seagulls to "visit" the top of my canopy, but the original only lasted 6 years.

Shrink wrap? Are you talking about the mooring cover?

What I meant was the factory ones typically fit better. The aftermarket one may be too loose or too tight, and it might not be until a good windstorm before you realize it's not quite right. And I only say that because I have lots of buddies with canopies and a few have gone aftermarket and had bad luck and problems. If it's a manufacturer issue, often there is a rep around that can just shoot over to your house and once they see first hand the problem they don't hesitate to make it right.

My canopy is made by Great Lakes Lift, and the frame is so old that Great Lakes doesn't make replacement vinyl for it. Instead they refered me to a guy "down the road" that does the older style canopies for them, as he has the frame dimensions. It cost around $650 for a 23' and he did a fantastic job, but I'm not even sure about the warranty. My only other option was buy a new canopy frame and vinyl.

Just my 2 cents.

I can't imagine the shrink wrap thing working well, I assume there's no overhang which eliminates a lot of coverage. Cheap though!

[Sixball]

Yes shrink wrap like you use to store a boat. You could make skirts as long as you need but the two I have seen on the lake only cover the frame. nice and tight and you can get many colors. I have seen white blue green.

[Bill_AirJunky]

Yes shrink wrap like you use to store a boat. You could make skirts as long as you need but the two I have seen on the lake only cover the frame. nice and tight and you can get many colors. I have seen white blue green.

Wow, interesting. Never seen it.

[Levi900RR]

I would love to see a picture of a Shrink Wrap canopy! That would almost match my Blue tarp boat cover...

[Badger]

I've just ordered a Floe canopy frame to go on top of my Hewitt lift. I wanted tan/beige, which the dealer said Floe has been having some issues with. He recommended a Harbor Time Tuffcover fabric instead. He claims it will last longer and was about $350 cheaper too. We'll see...

[buBarry]

Wow, I really thought you meant a mooring cover. I guess that would be pretty cheap, I might do that if the spiders don't keep the seagulls off of the new one.

That is almost as good as the suggestion to buy a used parachute. That might work too!

How do they get the shrink wrap off?

Also, FWIW, mine was gray, not sure if that counts as tan or beige, which I would say are the same color.

I will check into the Harbor Mate.