Fabric Hatch Covers

Looking for a manufacturer or custom shop for covers for two non-standard sized teak hatches. West offers a 2' x 2' which is probably acceptable quality, but they don't have anything in my size. Anyone got an on-line resource for this?

'prof

Are you thinking about something like a Sunbrella cover for a teak hatch? If so, you might want to check with one of the local canvas shops. They could do it pretty quickly I would think.

Every and any sail loft is waiting for your visit or call.

Smaller local shops rather than famous race sail makers will do best work.

A small add in the local pennysaver might work.

We have an aft hatch that I am rebuilding in the spring. If left uncovered, it would leak. We also make our own canvas products - often out of Sunbrella from SailRite. This product has held up well and has kept us from any water intrusion. It is easy to work and you could get any canvas shop to put together a solution for you.

There are two types of Sunbrella that we use - regular Sunbrella and Sunbrella Plus. The difference is that Sunbrella Plus has a coated backing and is entirely waterproof, although our plain Sunbrella hatch covers have performed flawlessly.

I agree with FF - use a small shop as they will be willing for a smaller job like this. It took my wife 30 minutes to make ours, install the snaps and ready to go, although our sewing machine is at the house. You could accelerate the process and lower your cost of goods by creating your own template out of DuraScrim or any pliable fabric, marking where fasteners are to be placed, and provide this to your canvas shop.

mike

Islanddreamer said:

................. You could accelerate the process and lower your cost of goods by creating your own template out of DuraScrim or any pliable fabric, marking where fasteners are to be placed, and provide this to your canvas shop.

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On the other hand, having them pattern the cover means that they, not you takes the responsibility for any problems. Also, since they have done this hundreds of times, they may come up with a better way of doing it than you might think of.

A clear center in a hatch cover may need eventual replacement ,

but light below is a delight.

FF said:

Every and any sail loft is waiting for your visit or call.
Smaller local shops rather than famous race sail makers will do best work.

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Good idea. Sailmakers are in short supply here in Southern Oregon, but these guys took the contract today.

WesK said:

On the other hand, having them pattern the cover means that they, not you takes the responsibility for any problems. Also, since they have done this hundreds of times, they may come up with a better way of doing it than you might think of.

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After I posted, this occurred to me. The canvas shop would be on the hook for the error. Doing my own stuff means that I have no one to blame except me.

mike

Islanddreamer said:

After I posted, this occurred to me. The canvas shop would be on the hook for the error. Doing my own stuff means that I have no one to blame except me.

mike

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If you make your own cover, that is true. My thought was, if you make the pattern and a shop makes the cover and it doesn't fit, it's an argument who is to blame. Most likely, you won't win the argument.

I once went to a canvas shop with a plan for a project and they showed me a better way to do it.