CANOPY

As i have said ordered a new canopy also the support bars  are very tired would aluminium be a suitable material for the job or is stainless the way to go
Cheers john

Stainless would be better as it will be a lot stronger than aluminum for an equal wall thickness. Having said that, I think the frame on my F22 is made from copper. But back then the wall thickness of copper tube was a lot more than the wafer thin Chinese rubbish you get now.

I have stainless and they don't leave dark marks on the inside of the canopy

I’d go stainless just because as Jed says, Aluminium will certainly discolour the canopy, I’m surprised copper doesn’t

Prof Pat Pending wrote:I’d go stainless just because as Jed says, Aluminium will certainly discolour the canopy, I’m surprised copper doesn’t

It does 

There you go then, stainless would be the best choice.

Stronger and stiffer than both is an added bonus

Don't know if your canopy is made yet but if you are replacing the frame it's a good chance to adapt it to what you need then get the canopy made to your new frame, maybe a little higher etc.

Thanks Rich did thing of that my canopy is due to be made 26 may, found a couple of companies doing stainless at quite reasonable price
will do frame when receive canopy 
                                         Cheers John
PS seems the ducks like my canopy even laying eggs on it and the boat. I was inside the boat and one landed on the canopy gave it a gentle nudge would not move could almost  feel it thinking I am happy here bugger off

ordered to lengths of 6000 mm stainless steel for canopy making a new platform for steering chair and batteries forgot how hard sawing 18 mm marine plywood is I am knackered also like the new stains just wash the brush in soapy water brought white spirit for  nothing

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ready to go on boat received[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] stainless steel 19 mm tube can this be bent with a pipe bender like this
Cheers John

Yes, but depending on the wall thickness it could be bloody hard work.
I used a big floor-standing bender to shape a new front rail for my pulpit....
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Thanks, Botleybouy
                               Wall thickness 1.5 mm total cost two 6000 mm lengths £105.00 not too bad I thought
had a word with Oliver and he said he can do it may have to heat it up I am useless at this sort of thing

This is the pipe bender I used...
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Before I had a go at the stainless tube I got hold of several lengths of aluminum tube (from a skip) and practiced on that. It took a lot of attempts before I felt ready to take a risk and bent the stainless.

A different beast I must admit will let you know how it goes

Yup, 1.5mm wall stainless is probably going to need a fair bit of brute force and ignorance 

If you use benders make sure it's for the exact size pipe you have, plumbers bender are normally 15 and 22mm. So if say your pipe is 20mm don't be tempted it put it in a 22mm bender as it will end in creases and look awful.

Went to the boat yesterday with my daughter-in-law removed the canopy and supports and packed them up. DPD picking canopy up tomorrow
must say well pleased with the way things are going. My son says Dad when are you ever going to stop spending money on that boat but to me, half the fun is making it look and work right I know people have said do no put the single lever control in the boat but to me, it has made a tremendous difference once I get my new Canopy I will post pictures and wait for comments

Are you getting a Nauticover canopy ?

Yes £724 for canvas canopy a bargain compared to others sending tomorrow old canopy for them as a template very pleased with the service so far

Did they come and measure up or are they making one remotely from by using the original one your have sent them as a template?

£724 sounds like a bargain compared to what the usual suspects charge so I think a lot of us will be watching this with interest.

Not a huge deal, but you have to fit it yourself, including cutting the holes and adding all the fixings

Derek wrote a guide that can be found in publications

They do not measure up but copy your existing canopy although they have templates of various boats including freemen but as we know
al canopies are different mine is due to be made on the 28th of May when I completed the installation of the canopy I will post pictures on here also of my new single lever control a great addition to the boat no more gear stick standing up and I do not care what other people say makes the steering area look so much better

bigscale wrote:........... also of my new single lever control a great addition to the boat no more gear stick standing up and I do not care what other people say makes the steering area look so much better

Got any photos?

Prof Pat PendingNot a huge deal, but you have to fit it yourself, including cutting the holes and adding all the fixings

Derek wrote a guide that can be found in publications 

Easy peesy   and well worth the saving being made. I guess if I went for one it might be slightly more expensive because of the big zip between the front & rear sections.

Yes must give credit to Derek for sharing this company my canopy does not need many holes because the tyes run along the bottom
 folded edges of the canopy so the three bungees at the rear of the canopy should be easy to position along with the studs on the side windscreen 
well that's the theory anyway (SAID THAT BEFORE )

Nauticover has just informed me they are about to make my canopy and you are right Derek £60 for the turnbuckle tool but £50 refundable on return