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enclosure

JHWardJr@aol.com

Tue, May 3, 2011 9:43 PM

I just had an epiphany today!

My full enclosure top on my Present 42 (seems to be pretty standard design
as others look the same - factory?) is in too good a condition to replace,
but not too pretty anymore. Made of vinyl on top and sides are vinyl, as
well (white). Spent it's life in FL, so the winter stiffness I endure in
NC was not as much of an issue there. Plus, the plasticizers are on
permanent leave and I fear cracking every time I roll up a smiley. I have a sense
that a totally new enclosure will be 10+ boat units - ugh!! Want to use
Sunbrella (flexibility) in a forest green to embrace my new accent color,
but will use the discussed vinyl on the top (semi-truck trailer cover manly
stuff).

What is really bad is the #%$^*^# thread they used. As always, it's the
damn thread that fails. I will NEVER use anything but Tenara (or equiv) in
the new enclosure. But now I got thread failure and none of the pros want
to hand stitch my junk, so I am doing it myself (the removable panels are
not the issue - it's the top zipper half).

So - I did my best to contort myself to thread Tenara through the existing
holes in situ. Fingers punctured and hurt (thimble and palm marginal).
Used an awl, used curved needles, used pliers, used forceps, used many cuss
words. Drank some, sweated, did more. Always a little POed.

Decided to see if hotmelt would hold (I use this as cheap 'double sided
tape) when sewing, if you could call it that) through the lap stress. Did
it, sewed the stress points, seems to be set. Burned my fingers setting it
(you gotta squeeze till it soaks into the zipper fabric and cools).
Reinforced the weak points (I guessed) with thread.

Then the epiphany! The isenglass and top overall shrank and was taught
like a drum (I have more vulgar expressions, but I'm trying to be nice). I
backed off the adjustments that hold the various triangular bows and dropped
the stress dramatically! Shoulda done it long ago.

SO - the message - when your top shrinks, if you can, back off a little.

Hope it holds until my coffers fill...

Time for a bone-dry.

Regards, Jim

I just had an epiphany today! My full enclosure top on my Present 42 (seems to be pretty standard design as others look the same - factory?) is in too good a condition to replace, but not too pretty anymore. Made of vinyl on top and sides are vinyl, as well (white). Spent it's life in FL, so the winter stiffness I endure in NC was not as much of an issue there. Plus, the plasticizers are on permanent leave and I fear cracking every time I roll up a smiley. I have a sense that a totally new enclosure will be 10+ boat units - ugh!! Want to use Sunbrella (flexibility) in a forest green to embrace my new accent color, but will use the discussed vinyl on the top (semi-truck trailer cover manly stuff). What is really bad is the #%$^*^# thread they used. As always, it's the damn thread that fails. I will NEVER use anything but Tenara (or equiv) in the new enclosure. But now I got thread failure and none of the pros want to hand stitch my junk, so I am doing it myself (the removable panels are not the issue - it's the top zipper half). So - I did my best to contort myself to thread Tenara through the existing holes in situ. Fingers punctured and hurt (thimble and palm marginal). Used an awl, used curved needles, used pliers, used forceps, used many cuss words. Drank some, sweated, did more. Always a little POed. Decided to see if hotmelt would hold (I use this as cheap 'double sided tape) when sewing, if you could call it that) through the lap stress. Did it, sewed the stress points, seems to be set. Burned my fingers setting it (you gotta squeeze till it soaks into the zipper fabric and cools). Reinforced the weak points (I guessed) with thread. Then the epiphany! The isenglass and top overall shrank and was taught like a drum (I have more vulgar expressions, but I'm trying to be nice). I backed off the adjustments that hold the various triangular bows and dropped the stress dramatically! Shoulda done it long ago. SO - the message - when your top shrinks, if you can, back off a little. Hope it holds until my coffers fill... Time for a bone-dry. Regards, Jim

dave stephens

Tue, May 3, 2011 10:22 PM

Oh! I so wish I had that problem, I'm just the opposite, as I age, and back
off a little, my top does not shrink, it has expanded!

SO - the message - when your top shrinks, if you can, back off a little.

Hope it holds until my coffers fill...

Time for a bone-dry.

Regards, Jim

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Oh! I so wish I had that problem, I'm just the opposite, as I age, and back off a little, my top does not shrink, it has expanded! SO - the message - when your top shrinks, if you can, back off a little. Hope it holds until my coffers fill... Time for a bone-dry. Regards, Jim _______________________________________________ http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering<http://li sts.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options (get password, change email address, etc) go to: http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/trawlers-and-trawlering<http://lists .samurai.com/mailman/options/trawlers-and-trawlering> Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.