DIY awning for a PVC boat: drawing, pattern and instructions for a homemade awning

Kinds

Boat covers come in different types. Each differs in purpose, characteristics, material:

Nasal. Designed for installation on the bow of a PVC motor boat. Can be frame or cap. Used to protect against headwinds and waves.
Running gear. Used as a canopy over the entire area of the boat. A running awning can be used for PVC boats if their design provides the necessary fasteners.
Parking boxes are used to store the boat when not in use. This type has a specially designated area to cover the motor. Mooring awnings are attached to the boat using a cord or thin cable that runs along the entire hull of the vessel, along the side.
Transportation. The main application is to protect the vessel during transport. They are made from coarser types of fabrics that can protect the boat from aggressive and mechanical damage.

The types of boat awnings differ in one more nuance. Transport and parking ones do not have a rigid frame. They simply cover the boat as they are only used for storing the watercraft. Bow and running coverings are often framed. They are used taking into account the speed of the boat and the wind speed. The frame helps to increase the area above the boat for a comfortable stay in it.

Materials and tools

To make a bow or running PVC awning for a boat you will need:

Do-it-yourself boat awning

Nowadays there is no problem in buying a parking awning for a boat. Their variety is very great. There are awnings for specific boat models, there are universal ones, you can buy very high quality ones, or you can buy simpler ones. However, we should not forget that something well made is most likely expensive. The cost of a very good boat mooring can cost more than the boat itself. A very cheap awning can bring only troubles instead of the expected conveniences.

Based on the above considerations, some fishermen believe that it is better to make a parking awning for a boat from PVC with your own hands: you will get exactly what you need, strictly according to the dimensions of your boat, and it will be much cheaper.

To complete this task you will need the following materials and tools:

waterproof fabric;
masking or adhesive tape;
fastening buttons or eyelets;
scissors;
markers.

It is better to immediately reinforce areas subject to constant mechanical stress with pieces of durable fabric.

The parts of a boat parking awning can be sewn together, or they can be securely glued together. However, when choosing an adhesive, it is necessary to take into account its compatibility with working materials.

Manufacturing and installation of a parking awning for a boat:

Such canopies usually do not rely on the use of a frame. The boat is completely covered with awning material.
Having placed the fabric so that it covers the desired part of the boat, it is cut to size, leaving allowances at the edges for placing fasteners and stitching the drawstring for threading the rubber cord.
On the fabric stretched across the boat, the location of additional elements is marked: pockets, zippers, etc.
Then the necessary seams are made using a sewing machine.
The finished awning is pulled onto the boat.
It is important that the awning covers the boat tightly; to do this, its lower parts are pulled down and fasteners are sewn in the right places, which are attached to the side fittings of the boat.

Advice:

when cutting fabric, leave allowances of 20 cm along the edges of the future awning, which, if necessary, will help you make the edge of the awning tighter due to additional hems;
For convenience when cutting fabric on site, we recommend using adhesive tape to create a more successful pattern.

Keep in mind:

poorly performed work will cause the awning to leak;
incorrect placement of eyelets and other fasteners will lead to their rapid tearing out and weak tension of the material;
To prevent the upper part of the boat mooring awning from sagging due to water accumulated on it, we recommend installing a stand in the middle of the inside of the vessel under the awning.

It’s easy to make a parking awning for a PVC boat with your own hands, as some people think. But practice shows that for an inexperienced person this is quite difficult, since you can make a mistake when cutting, not take into account some little things that will later become a problem, and, in the end, incorrectly calculate the required amount of material. To avoid such mistakes, we recommend that you first make a test version from old rags or cheap fabric.

If your time and boat are valuable to you and you believe that everyone should mind their own business, buy a high-quality ready-made mooring awning at an affordable price and have fun communing with nature.

Sizing

One of the main fastenings for an awning on a PVC boat is a long cord threaded along the entire line of the sides. It is this fastening that is the key point in measuring the material for the awning.

Next you need:

Determine the length of the vessel if a pattern is planned along the entire hull.
Determine the height of the future awning. For boats with an inflatable or rubber bottom, it should be 20-30 cm higher than the owner’s head. Boats with a hard bottom allow you to move around the vessel at full height. Therefore, it is worth taking into account the owner’s height and adding 20 cm to the height.
The awning must be stitched, taking into account the overlap of the fabric.

For the most accurate measurement, you can use an old blanket or plastic film. You just need to cover the boat with material, raise it to the required height, and take into account the length along the sides.

It is also worth considering how many parts the awning will be made of, whether it will have openings for viewing, a lockable exit, side pockets, and a hatch.

Frame making

First of all, for a PVC boat awning, you need to make a strong and lightweight frame. For its manufacture you will need aluminum, thick-walled pipes with a diameter of 30 mm. They need to be bent in the shape of the letter “P” or in an arc. Before bending, you need to accurately determine the height and installation locations. Some models of PVC boats have factory fastenings under the bow or running awning. If there are no such fasteners, you can purchase similar parts and install them in the right places using glue.

For the bow tent, the fastenings are installed 20-30 cm from the center of each cylinder towards the nose. Fastenings for the frames of running awnings can be installed in the center of the cylinder or 30 cm towards the stern.

Having decided on the dimensions of the future frame, each pipe needs to be bent. It is difficult to bend pipes on your own. It's better to turn to the experts. They bend the pipes on a pipe bender to exact dimensions.

All bent pipes are additionally checked. They are laid on top of each other, checking for exact matching in width and height.

Frames

The following frame materials are used:

aluminum tubes;
steel wires with spring properties;
fiberglass rods with spring properties.

The shape of the frames is either angular or arc-shaped. The characteristic properties of springing serve to firmly stretch the awning. Aluminum frames are structural, taking into account the insertion of one part into another.

What materials are used

The main material for making awnings is synthetic fabrics based on nylon. For the manufacture of viewing parts - windows, windshields - polyethylene or lavsan is used. However, long-term use affects the quality of the review. Therefore, it is better to use polyvinyl chloride-based film.

Create a drawing

To make a drawing of a homemade PVC boat awning, you need:

Measure the length from the fastening cord to the last frame pipe. The length is taken into account with an error. Take at least 20 cm on each side. The edges are stitched with an overlap to ensure reliability during their subsequent fastening.
Measure the width of the material. The measurement is taken from the fastening cords along the sides, the height of the frame, and the width of the frame. All measurements on one side are multiplied by “2”. The location of the narrowing towards the bow is also taken into account.

All measurements must be transferred to paper. If necessary, additions are made to the drawing of the PVC boat awning: windows, hatches, pockets. It is also necessary to include all fasteners, hooks, and rings in the drawing.

The pattern of the bow awning is simpler. It includes only 1 or 2 frame elements. There is no need to measure the center of the boat.

The pattern for mooring or transportation awnings is made according to measurements of the width of the vessel, the narrowing towards the bow, and the pocket for the engine is taken into account. All fasteners and their installation locations are transferred to the drawing.

Manufacturing

After making all the additions, you can proceed to production:

The material is cut according to the pattern of the bow awning for the boat.
It is stitched along the edges taking into account the overlap.
A rubber cord is threaded inside the passage sleeve.
Depending on the chosen fastening, hooks are sewn on or holes are made in the throughput sleeve.
The material is reinforced with slings. They are sewn parallel to the fasteners on the cylinders.

The finished awning is installed on the boat. All fasteners are mounted in place. Additional tension is provided by adjustable pins.

Bow awning

In manufacturing, for reasons of safety, convenience and “dryness,” moisture-resistant materials and appropriate components that optimize the quality of water resistance will be required.

Stages

First you need to decide on the exact dimensions of the boat and, if necessary, make the corresponding drawings. In addition, to determine the fastening of the frame, it is necessary to inspect the fastening fittings located on the sides of the boat.

Manufacturing and installation:

In production, a frame is used on which the material will be stretched. The size of the arc is determined depending on the size of the boat.
To determine the height of the frame arc, you need to stand on the helm of the boat and tilt the arc until a “dead zone” of 7 m is formed.
After this, to give the required angle to the frame pipes , the pipes must be placed in a vice and carefully bent until they acquire the desired arched shape.
To determine the correct shape of the arc, it is necessary to place it on a flat surface. If there is a tight arrangement on the plane, the work is done correctly. If there are deformations in the arc, then when positioned on a plane, curvatures will be revealed. To eliminate them, you need to perform additional bending actions.
Next, when the frame is ready, fastening devices with holes for bolts are put on the ends of the frame tubes and with the help of them you need to fasten them to the fastening patch.

Thus, a supporting frame for the awning is installed. Next, work begins with the elements of the awning. As a rule, it is advisable to make the manufacture of tent elements and its pattern using approximate material, by cutting out corresponding sketches on it on a flat place.

To form an awning you will need:

waterproof material;
hooks;
slings;
zippers;
rubber belt;
nylon threads;
needle.

Step-by-step instruction:

To begin with, you need to cover the frame arc and bow of the boat with material.
To determine the length of the material for preparing the lower part of the awning , you need to stretch the material to the fittings located on the boat cylinder.
The lower part of the material and the area covering the frame arc must be provided with additional material of at least 8 cm to form a throughput sleeve. This part is highlighted by folding the edges of the material into its inner part.
On the bottom of the awning you need to make marks for placing hooks on them , through which they will be attached to the side fittings of the boat.
A rubber belt at least one meter long must be threaded into the sleeve on the bottom of the awning , which will serve as a shock absorber.
After this, marks are made in the lower front part of the sleeve for the passage of slings , attached to the eye of the handle and hooks, attached to the fittings of the front part of the boat.
Next, based on the cut out sketches, the awning elements are prepared on the base material.
When sewing the top of the awning, which will cover the arc of the frame , zippers are sewn on the inside at a mark of 8 cm to the edge on the inside.
The lower side parts of the awning are equipped with hooks located at intervals of at least 10 cm from each other.
Slings (in the middle) and at least 4 hooks are sewn into the front lower part of the awning.
After working on the machine, awning material is stretched over the top of the frame.
First of all, the arc of the frame is covered by the upper part of the awning and secured with a zipper.
Next, the side part of the awning is pulled down along the side fittings of the boat and attached with hooks to the fittings.
The front lower part of the awning is attached to the eye handle and hooks to the fittings using a sewn sling.
In order to strengthen the edges along the entire length, you need to make a patch in the sleeve area , taking into account the location of rubber shock absorbers on them.
Thus, the awning, being attached to the side fittings of the cylinder and secured with a zipper in the upper part of the frame, forms a dense structure. The areas of the frame post where the splitting is done must be sanded.

During installation, special attention should be paid to the ability to use oars;
When decorating the awning, you can sew additional pockets in its inner part, which will allow you to use them to store necessary things.

Features of manufacturing each type of awnings

The article focused on the simple design of the bow canopy. Each type has features:

The chassis are structurally more complex. When designing, you need to take into account all fastenings along the length of the sides. Additionally, cords are sewn onto the ceiling and walls for fastening to the frame elements. This way the awning will not “inflate” from the wind or sag from accumulated rainwater.
Transport ones are the easiest to manufacture. Does not require complex calculations. The dimensions of the boat are taken into account and the distance to the fastening elements on board is taken into account. If necessary, these elements are installed separately. The size of the throughput sleeve is also taken into account. Next is to cover the boat with material. Mark along the edges and trim. Sew in the edges, install hooks or make holes, reinforcing them with metal inserts. The awning should be as tight as possible, this will protect against damage from headwinds.
Parking bars are manufactured according to the principle of transportation ones. A special feature is the consideration of the engine dimensions of motor boats. At the location of the engine, the awning should be wider and higher and have a fastening cord. Parking structures are often made to fit the bottom. In other words, the installed awning completely covers the sides of the boat, the edges are tightened with a cord threaded through the passage sleeve.

All types of awnings have a similar design, differing only in the presence of a frame.

The advantage of making an awning on a PVC boat with your own hands is the ability to take into account the individual needs of the owner. It is not always possible to choose a completely suitable option from ready-made options. However, you will have to tinker with the production - purchase materials, make a frame, draw patterns and sew.

Author: Denis Lapin, especially for Mmotoaria.ru

Varieties

Awnings according to their purpose are divided into:

intended for parking;
for swimming;
for transportation.

Parking

Protect the boat from external factors when laying up. The awning completely covers the boat, turning it into a vessel, which, for example, allows necessary repair work to be carried out under the roof.

Pros:

the motor is tightly closed and protected from water ingress;
fastening is done with cords threaded into special rings of the awning design fittings;
The simple design ensures fast, reliable and durable installation.

Swim awnings

Nasal. Performs the function of protection against splashing water. Installed on the bow of the boat. Options:
without viewing glass.
Characteristics:
primary colors of green and gray;
small volume and weight;
easy installation;
aerodynamic shape that helps maintain initial speed and stability.
Running gear. The awning reliably protects the fisherman from exposure to the sun, wind and water. Consists of front, side and rear structural elements. There are 2 types of awnings by design:
with connected elements.
Transformer. This type is the best option for protection and convenience. The unique name was obtained due to the presence of six transformation positions, through which ventilation is ensured, as well as fishing on inclement days. Made in a tent style, with easy installation and use, taking into account the complete cover of the boat.
Frame. These awnings are also called “roof awnings”. Provide protection for the fisherman and his accessories from excessive exposure to the sun's rays and precipitation. Quite easy to install and use awning. The presence of high strength and long-term use are its characteristic distinguishing features.

Transportation

The function is to reliably protect the surface of the craft. As a rule, awnings should not allow moisture, dust and dirt to pass through. The “blanket” is equipped with fastening devices, through which it is firmly fixed to the boat.