Canvas blind question

R

rob_g

Active member
Got a new gator trax boat and am going to build a canvas blind on it to block the wind and use as a backer for the fast grass to attach to. I'm wondering how or what would be the best way to attach the canvas to the top of the gunwale. I like the blind to pull tight on both sides when it's raised. Any opinions, suggestions, or insight?

Looking for hardware but not sure what is heavy duty enough. I'm not afraid to drill holes in the boat either.

Thanks
 
rob, i made a nailer out of wood. staple the fabric to the nailer then screw down to boat with heavy SS screws with finish washers. works great. 8-10 screws on each side and blind comes right off. if you want some pics, let me know...
 
Yeah thanks for the replies. I don't want to staple the canvas. I'd rather just go directly from the canvas to the gunwale of the boat. I was thinking of grommets in the canvas and some type of hd clasp on the gunwale for attaching it. I'd like it to be as a heavy duty as I can make it.

Thanks

Rob
 
Rob, I have used stainless steel snaps that screw into the gunwale with a small stainless steel screw. I place the snaps along the bottom edge of the gunwale around both sides and around the bow. You could also do them along the back edge of the transom. Then snap your canvas top on. I wouldn't place the snaps along the top edge of the gunwale as the fabric could become taught enough or with enough wind pressure, could encourage the snaps to come undone. I have never had a problem with snaps letting go from the bottom.


I have also run bungee cord down the length of the boat just below the gunwale. The bungee cord gets run through a "pocket" in the blind fabric and also through a looped fitting attached through the side hull of the boat with either an aluminum rivet or a stainless machine screw and nylok nut.

Hope this may give you some ideas.
 
Just a question. Do those snaps have the screw attached to the stud or you supply your own screw? Will those screws hold well in aluminum also?
 
I bought the snaps where the screw was a separate piece. Yes they do hold well in aluminum. That is actually the application I used them for and have had no problems with them.

The top part of the snap was two pieces which I pressed together onto the blind fabric myself.

I was very pleased with the results.
 
Which tool did you use for pressing them together? Looking to order everything I need today. Any recommendations on where to get these from?
 
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