Canopy maintenance

Keeping your boat's canopy, cover and sprayhood in good condition can be challenging, especially with stains and hard-to-open buttons. Here are some tips to make your essentials last longer and easier to use.

Difficult to open/close buttons

By the end of a boating season, the buttons on your canopy may become difficult to use. This is usually because the metal parts oxidise in damp, salty environments.

Different metals corrode at different rates, but if you pack away the canopy before it's dry, corrosion can make the buttons hard to open and close. This can lead to tearing around the buttons, resulting in expensive repairs.

Tip: Spray the buttons with lubricating oil, like CRC 5-56, at least once a month during the season and before winter storage. This prevents corrosion and ensures smooth operation.

Boat canopies and covers come in various designs, often featuring snap buttons, press buttons, and canopy holes. As mentioned before, regular maintenance of these buttons is essential to avoid problems. The longevity of your canopy depends significantly on how well you maintain it.

It is also crucial to remember that properly packing the canopy will ensure its designed lifespan. For example, the plastic used in canopy windows is much stiffer than the fabric itself and can crack if the canopy is folded in a way that creates stress points.

Proper maintenance sequence:

1. Washing and Cleaning
2. Drying
3. Impregnation
4. Storage

Washing and cleaning

Stains on the canopy can be caused by repeated exposure to saltwater and by not letting it dry completely (for example, when driving in cold conditions with sea spray hitting the canopy and then packing it away before it has dried).

To avoid stains and dirt: Rinse your canopy with fresh water, ideally after each trip, especially if it has been exposed to saltwater. Let it air dry thoroughly before packing it away.

Drying

A good rule to avoid the rotting of seams and joints is to wash your canopy thoroughly and then dry it even more thoroughly. Always let the canopy air-dry before packing it away.

Impregnation

Impregnation is essential to maintaining the canopy's strength, shape, and function. After cleaning and drying the fabric, impregnate every 6-12 months to ensure top condition.

If your boat is brand new, you can skip this step. This is usually needed from the second season onwards.

Storage

Always store your canopy in a dry place to prevent mildew or rot.

By following these simple steps for washing and storing your canopy, you can get good use out of it for many years to come and ensure the value of your boat if you decide to sell it.