DIY bow spray canopy

MCL · Post by **MCL** » 03 May 2018, 12:16

just finished my DIY spray dodger and thought i would share the results.

I had seen a purpose built canopy for sale on ebay for £60 but I didn't want black which was the only colour available at that price.
I have seen a few how to threads so decided to have a go at making one myself. I found a suitable tent pole in the garage and various bits of sting and bungee. I then purchased the following:

* 1.5m x 2m of "600-D fabric MARINE CANVAS" £16 (inc. postage)

*Sib Hooks £7.50

*V69 polyester thread £4

*10mm eyelets / press £9.95

total spend £37.45

I went for fluorescent orange material because I thought I 1. like to be seen, 2. be a bit different! i used almost all of the material bar a few off cuts so glad I got the size I did. I spent some time adding tent poles to get the height that I wanted. (75cms from floor to top of arch). I think this bit is quite important and you need to think what you want. I just wanted somewhere for my wife / daughter to escape sun, rain, spray easily and this was the right height for them.

After using clothes pegs to hold the material onto the tent pole I cut the outline I wanted using the sib rubbing stake as a guide. The edges were them hemmed using V69 which is a strong, UV and abrasion resistant thread.

The brass eyelets were then installed, the draper kit was very easy to use and worth the money. The SIB hooks were overpriced as most marine things are but they do the job. I tried to use the Zodiacs original fittings wherever possible to help hold the spray dodger down.

I am yet to try this out on the water, I am sure that I will need to adjust / improve certain aspects of it but I love the colour of it and hopefully it will perform well.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » 03 May 2018, 13:28

Cracking job mate, I’m just on with finally getting mine done, only had the material etc for about 6 months

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 03 May 2018, 15:21

Looks great - well done!

I feel I’ve let the side down, as I bought one rather than made one...

MCL · Post by **MCL** » 03 May 2018, 16:06

Glad you both approve, it can't be to difficult if I managed to make one. To be honest for convenience it is easier to buy one for the sake of £20, but I like a project hence why I had a go.

It always good to see photos of other people set ups regardless of how they achieved it. Most important thing is to get out there and use it!

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 03 May 2018, 16:37

Absolutely agree! We were impressed with how much shelter ours gave when underway...

Bet you can’t wait to take her out for a blast!

YouTube · Post by **Martin** » 03 May 2018, 19:49

Awesome.. well done!
Nice and bright, surprisingly the colour works

MCL · Post by **MCL** » 03 May 2018, 20:35

At least we have finally have named the boat..... Tango.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 03 May 2018, 22:31

Great job and well done

You'll definitely realise the benefits of your labour once you've tried it out

Andy B · Post by **Andy B** » 04 May 2018, 06:30

Nice job

Looks very similar to one of mine

I did find it would deform at speed, but handy if it was raining...

DavidA · Post by **DavidA** » 15 Sep 2018, 08:48

Hi All. New here, and to SIBing!
Would love to add one of these sparay canopies to my Honwave T27 but would like advice as to how to locate the ends of the tent poles to the top of my tubes . Location I guess would be just forward of the seat.
Any ideas would be welcome.

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DIY bow spray canopy

DIY bow spray canopy

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