www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all, did a quick search, but didn't get a clear look at costs. I have my Vista 328, 2003. I am going to guess I may have the original Sunbrella Canvass: full camper/bimini set up. I also have a full cover for the boat, but that is still in pretty good condition. My camper enclosure is showing some serious sun rot, as the screens are falling apart. I am still very impressed with the quality. Anyone replace a full camper enclosure and top lately and have an rough idea of the cost? Also, can I just call Sunbrella, give them make/model and slap it on, or do I need a person to come out, measure, etc.....

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Ziggy
2003 Vista 328
Twin 5.7GXi
1996 Crownline CR-260

Sunbrella make and distribute canvas, I don't think they make up finished products. The labels on my original canvas say the Sunbrella material was sewn up by Great Lakes Boat Tops. You can find a company such as that who may have patterns/stock for your model of boat or find a local canvas worker. The chances are they all use Sunbrella material.

The Great Lakes Boat Top Company lists your make and model and can provide an online quote.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

Correct, and they sometimes have a sale in late Winter. Trick is knowing when and getting in on the deal.

Note, canvas panels do not usually come with the bottom snaps installed. This because all boats are slightly different and canvas varies a bit. You'd have to use a canvas snap tool to attach them. You hang the canvas, make note of where the old snaps are located and then put on the caps. Also it helps to do this when the canvas isn't cold. It expands a fair bit when warmed by the sun. If you place the snaps when it's cold then the material would be too loose in the Summer sun. This is especially true for the clear vinyl panels.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I replaced the full camper canvas on my 328 last year. We re-configured all the poles so the canvas connected to the arch (original was under the arch) and so there was a lot less poles - only 2 uprights in the back and 2 in the front. With all the re-work and completely new canvas, we paid $6k. Not sure if that was competitive or not, we just went with the guy in our marina that has the best reputation.

Steve.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

John, Bill Steve, Thanks for the info! Makes sense now that I couldn't find much at Sunbrella's web site.
Appreciate the help,

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Ziggy
2003 Vista 328
Twin 5.7GXi
1996 Crownline CR-260

four winns keeps all the patterns and I believe you can still order from them, but as mentioned above, snaps will have to be finalized once canvas is hung on boat.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Which is partially true. FW certainly has patterns. You can order from them, through a dealer. But FW doesn't actually make the canvas, they subcontract that out to Great Lakes. So if you call Great Lakes directly you're talking to the source and they also keep year/model pattern references. I'd imagine there's added markup and delays for getting it through FW and a local dealer.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Ziggy take a close look at the snaps on your canvas because if it's from Great Lakes Boat Top it often says it on their snaps.

Just for reference I contacted Great Lakes Boat Top for a complete camper canvas set for our 268 and received a quote for 3200.00 today. That price seems very competitive with local shops and I know the quality is there. They asked for my HIN# and said if I had their original panels and some were still in good shape that I could hold off on replacing those and just replace the ones that are damaged!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Now there's a vendor that knows what's good for them... don't spoil the relationship with the boat vendor by preying on the end purchasers. Though I sure do wish those panels were so eff'in 'spensive...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Ben, tks for the approx. quote info. Tomorrow running the river from Prairie du Chien, WI to Dubuque, IA. Not as exciting as running the Great Lakes, but us Brown Water Sailors are easily satisfied. I will check the snaps out. BTW, accidently came across your Blog, great blog, info. Really liked your fuel flow meter, great ideas for my next year upgrades. Tks, Z

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Ziggy
2003 Vista 328
Twin 5.7GXi
1996 Crownline CR-260

Thanks Ziggy! Btw one last thing to add is there is a 20% discount for GLBT if you are a Boatus member till mid November. I'm thinking if you aren't a member it could be worth it to join just to get that discount plus many others available with a BoatUS membership. Have a great trip!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Having a custom canvas shop replace ours and make some major modifications. Using StrataGlass. Full enclosure and then a full screen enclosure. Adding a morning sunshade for the windshield, windlass cover and a dash cover. Cost is $5,400.

When we replace ours next Spring I'm leaning toward having them custom made. Mainly because I'd like to have a way to keep the panels up but also shade the interior. I'm thinking along the lines of having panels made that cover the clear windows, using those twist-lock fasteners. If not all of them, just the windshield and front side panels.

I don't think we'll go for Strataglass as there's no good place to store the panels when we're under way. They're too stiff to roll up (and too expensive to mishandle).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista