1 more T Top

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   I just recently started a small project, which consists of an enclosure for the front of my Center Console and I am already starting my research for my next project (replacing the covering on my T Top). First off, some details about my boat: T Top Covering will be 54" x 86", boat is used in salt water (but is stored on a trailer away from the water and is in direct sunlight), T Top has outriggers, radar and antenna (so it will not get the total balloon effect from under the T Top when being towed or moving on the water). I plan to construct the panel out of 60" wide Marine Grade Sunbrella (To avoid having a seam). My questions are on grommets and the edge of the panel. I have read a lot of different things as far as finishing the edge. Some people say that a double hem is strong enough, while others prefer to put webbing inside the hem. What about Shelter-Rite Tape, is that overkill? The current T Top has some sort of vinyl looking material that is sandwiched around the edged. Could I skip the hem all together and use 3" Sail-Rite Tape along the edge (sandwiching the edge so the tape will be 1.5" on both top and bottom) and put my grommets through it? And speaking of grommets, would a #3 Nickel Spur Grommet be ok, considering that my boat is used in salt water?
My feeling are not easily hurt, so all comments are welcomed. 

Thanks, Dave

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Dtray332 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 15 September 2016 Location: Tampa Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dtray332 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 1 more T Top Posted: 15 September 2016 at 12:48pm
	I just recently started a small project, which consists of an enclosure for the front of my Center Console and I am already starting my research for my next project (replacing the covering on my T Top). First off, some details about my boat: T Top Covering will be 54" x 86", boat is used in salt water (but is stored on a trailer away from the water and is in direct sunlight), T Top has outriggers, radar and antenna (so it will not get the total balloon effect from under the T Top when being towed or moving on the water). I plan to construct the panel out of 60" wide Marine Grade Sunbrella (To avoid having a seam). My questions are on grommets and the edge of the panel. I have read a lot of different things as far as finishing the edge. Some people say that a double hem is strong enough, while others prefer to put webbing inside the hem. What about Shelter-Rite Tape, is that overkill? The current T Top has some sort of vinyl looking material that is sandwiched around the edged. Could I skip the hem all together and use 3" Sail-Rite Tape along the edge (sandwiching the edge so the tape will be 1.5" on both top and bottom) and put my grommets through it? And speaking of grommets, would a #3 Nickel Spur Grommet be ok, considering that my boat is used in salt water? My feeling are not easily hurt, so all comments are welcomed. Thanks, Dave

Zach Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 10 September 2015 Status: Offline Points: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zach Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 September 2016 at 1:18pm
	Hello Dave, The most common practice I see on t-tops (if the edges are straight and not curved) is to fold the Sunbrella in a hem and place either a strip or double strip of Shelter-Rite between the hem (binding the edge of Sunbrella) for hidden reinforcement. If the t-top is curved then placing a double strip of Shelter-Rite under the t-top edges and sewing it in place is the best practice. I have never tried myself folding the Shelter-Rite over the edge of the Sunbrella, but I do not see why it would not work. I think most of the time the aforementioned techniques are used because the boat owner wants the t-top edges to be as clean as possible, just showing the one fabric (Sunbrella in this case) from the top view of the boat. I believe any of the options mentioned so far would work.
	Zach Grant Sailrite

Dtray332 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 15 September 2016 Location: Tampa Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dtray332 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 September 2016 at 3:33pm
	Which would be better, the Shelter-Rite Tape or Binding Regatta Weblon?

Zach Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 10 September 2015 Status: Offline Points: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zach Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 September 2016 at 3:37pm
	The Shelter-Rite is much heavier (18oz sq yd) and would reinforce the grommets much better than the Weblon Regatta Binding (8.3oz sq yd).
	Zach Grant Sailrite

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3012	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattGrant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 September 2016 at 7:59pm
	First let me say the #3 Nickel Grommets will be fine. I agree with Zach on everything else. But you might also consider using the Shelter-Rite tape on top and bottom as separate "tabling" strips and then cap the edge (what would be three raw fabric edges with a fabric binding of 1" width prior to sewing. This will look very nice and also be quite strong.
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite

Dtray332 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 15 September 2016 Location: Tampa Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dtray332 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 September 2016 at 8:08am
	Thanks for all the advice. I like the idea of the 2 strips of Shelter-Rite and the 1" binding to cap everything. Now I just have to see if my sewing machine will be up to the task. I'm using a heavy duty machine, but it is definitely not a commercial grade machine. The thickest thing that I have sewn through so far has been 4 layers of Sunbrella, which it had no problem. Any idea what the equivalent of sewing through Shelter-Rite would be compared to how many layers of Marine Grade Sunbrella? Edited by Dtray332 - 16 September 2016 at 8:11am

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3012	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattGrant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 September 2016 at 9:17am
	Shelter-Rite is not too hard to sew. It would be the binding edge that might present the challenge. The only way to know is to give it a try.
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite

Dtray332 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 15 September 2016 Location: Tampa Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dtray332 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 November 2016 at 4:18pm
	I finally had enough time to do it. Here is my YouTube video link. Thank you all the folks at Sailrite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aTxni_pf8Q

Bailey Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 10 December 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bailey Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2016 at 3:43am
	Wow. Good job guys :)
	vr news - 360 videos

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3012	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattGrant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 December 2016 at 9:31am
	Nice video! I turned out very well.
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite