Need new canvas...thoughts on color?

[JeffM]

We're looking at replacing our canvas. We need everything, including biminis, isinglass, etc. We have the tan now, and are thinking about changing to another color. We're planning to use Great Lakes Boat Tops, and have been considering the blue, green, and black. A couple of questions:

1. Does the cockpit interior get too warm with black biminis? We are likely to take down the visor and side curtains when we use the boat.
2. Are their replacement biminis made with the vinyl-backed sunbrella, as the OEM ones are?
3. I understand that sunbrella's not supposed to fade, but it looks like our tan has (it's only 15 years old, come on...). Have you noticed fading with the darker colors?

I like the black because it matches the boot stripe, but am concerned about heat in the summer. We like the blue, too, but it's pretty dark, too, and I'm not sure how much cooler it will be.

Thanks in advance!
Jeff

 

[mwph]

Our climates are different, but we never take our dark blue Bimini down. The necessary shade far outweighs any added temperature.
Also, for what it's worth, I am not a fan of the green.

 

[Strecker25]

Double check before ordering, but I asked Deanna at great lakes and she said most Searay OEM is seamark. We just ordered ours for our 98 and she said seamark was OEM and that's what the replacement will be.

 

[boltman]

Jeff we have Black canvass it's hot but we love it , makes the boat look so much more stylish .


Boltman

 

[AFD]

i have greatlakes OEM replacement in sand or tan or whatever. it is Sunbrella and we love it, much cooler than our old neighbor's black canvas. he was so disapointed with his choice in canvas but it did look great on his boat.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Looks better vs cooler....we have the black-no fading, but very hot here in the south. No doubt that the appearance is more pleasing, but the next one will be the tan/sand color.

Bennett

 

[bahamabreisus]

We just switched from tan to black. Much happier with black. We are in the south, I really did not notice much difference in heat.

 

[JeffM]

Thanks for the feedback so far! I do think that the black looks better; I'm worried that the black will heat up the cockpit and it sounds like the jury's still out on that one.

It can get pretty warm here in Maryland, but in the summer we usually run with just the biminis up. I'm also wondering if the black would extend the season a little by warming the cockpit in the fall...

 

[BillK2632]

Personally like black or drk blue. I've got a drk blue bimini and don't really notice the heat - it's just plain hot in the south no matter what color your canvas is.

 

[Quint4]

Somebody needs to walk the docks with a IR temp gun and get some DATA.

Shoot several temps on adjacent boats, dark canvas, light canvas, and report back.

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[dvx216]

Asked the site the same question this spring. I went from Navy blue to Sunbrella Pacific blue made a difference with the sun and putting off heat.One of the things that I didn't realize was the lighter color made it a lot brighter at night inside with the top on.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Somebody needs to walk the docks with a IR temp gun and get some DATA.

Shoot several temps on adjacent boats, dark canvas, light canvas, and report back.

Inquiring minds want to know.

+1

Bennettt

 

[JeffM]

Somebody needs to walk the docks with a IR temp gun and get some DATA.

Shoot several temps on adjacent boats, dark canvas, light canvas, and report back.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Yes, well:

1. I don't have an IR temp gun;
2. I'm concerned about temps in the summer heat, not now; and
3. I'm interested in all modes of operation, including sitting at anchor with just biminis up, and when using isenglass in the fall.

 

[The Bill Collector]

We love the black canvas, but on sunny days it will warm up the cockpit unless we have the windows open or off....

 

[JeffM]

We love the black canvas, but on sunny days it will warm up the cockpit unless we have the windows open or off....

Good information, thanks. With the windows open or off, is it noticeably warmer?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Good information, thanks. With the windows open or off, is it noticeably warmer?

I notice it the most when I am running the boat at idle speed with windows on & closed. The top of my head is a few inches from the canvas and it is radiating heat... With the windows off you have more air circulating and it doesn't heat up too much.

We easily add 10+ degrees due to the black.... And most summers it isn't too big of deal here in the Seattle, but this summer we set a record for the most 80' degree plus days...

 

[Quint4]

Yes, well:

1. I don't have an IR temp gun;
2. I'm concerned about temps in the summer heat, not now; and
3. I'm interested in all modes of operation, including sitting at anchor with just biminis up, and when using isenglass in the fall.

Jeff, This has been debated over and over on this site and others. There are many members on this site in Florida where it's quite warm. I would really like to prove or disprove any significant differences in temps between colors. I honestly don't know.