www.iFourWinns.com

How exactly do you store your camper canvas? There isn't a ton of room on my boat, but I want a bag I can just roll it up in and store it in. I am having a VERY hard time finding anything. The only thing I can think of is a bag like those folding chairs come in, but I have yet to find one big enough. Any ideas?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

You can get some big military duffels on ebay (in black) for $30.00 ish... They are BIG big enough my dinghy rolls up and fits in one.. I think they are 45 or 50" long 19 inches wide.

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Brett DiMichele

Thanks Brett. I think that might be the ticket...looks like the price is right also!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I should take my own advice and buy another.. My canvas is strewn about in the mid cabin as we speak!

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Brett DiMichele

I have cut up 4 floating noodles. I then wrap the side windows together and roll up, then the side curtains for the rear, one for the front and one for the back drop.....all having an old sheet cut to size to stick between the glass. I then have four bags, the ones used for folding chairs (accordian style chairs for 11.99) and place the wrapped up canvas in them. then store it away!

I also use Plexius on my glass at least every other week.

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

I store mine in a secondhand sail bag I picked up at Bacons in Annapolis. The side panels on the 348 are way too long for duffel bags. When I'm going to be storing them for more than a day or two I put a sheet of flannel between them to avoid zipper scratches. Then I just roll a couple of them together around some cardboard tubes I picked up from a fabric shop. A bit of overkill, perhaps, but it's keeping them looking good.

The noodles are a good idea.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

A hockey bag would do a good job, they are strong and quite large.

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"Kokomo"
2006 Four Winns Vista 318

Ken- Where did you get the folding chair bags? I'm guessing you had to buy the chairs to get the bags?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Yes, I had a couple older chairs that I replaced, thus allowing some spare bags.

I had used a larger canvas bag for awhile, but it just held them together thats all!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

Any updates on this front? Right now we are using this bag, 30x50 Canvas Bag, and its way to big. Rolled up, my four combined pieces of canvas measures 12" x 48". Any better ideas?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

My entire canvas for my cruiser fit in two of those bags for the chairs. Front and back section in one and the sides in the other. Worked great, had a carrying handle and took up very little room. You do need to roll them tight.

I can't answer the original question but have some observations.

Each model has different sized canvas. Not all of them will fit in the same sized baggage. That and not all of them roll up very well. The aft panels on the 348's camper canvas are HUGE and don't roll up easily because of the rubber gasket for the radar arch edge.

When rolling the canvas it helps extend their life to make sure they can't fold and that there are no rough edges like the zippers or mesh screen rubbing. Folds will crack the clear vinyl, or leave a crease that won't come out. Rough edges like the zippers will also scratch the clear vinyl or leave a permanent impression.

I've taken to either storing mine flat up on the forward berth or rolling them up with flannel in-between them. I've used some left-over cardboard tubes I picked up from a fabric shop. But I've also seen suggestions of using those foam swimming noodles. This isn't a bad idea, unless you need to use the noodles when the canvas is rolled (which is likely because the canvas gets stowed when you're most likely to be swimming).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista