Boat Canopy/Clears Storm Damage / Replacement (Before and After Pics) - thanks to Mel Taylor Marine Trimmers
A few weeks back we had some pretty strong and gusty winds associated with two fronts that passed over us on two consecutrive days. A couple of days later I ventured outside and noticed my boat clears had blown out, with stitching ripped and the actual plastic split. I called my insurer (Club Marine) and explained what had happened and that whilst the clears were a bit grotty they had still been water tight and useable for maybe another 12 months. I was half expecting them to say nah, sorry they are too old and we won't cover them, but to my distinct pleasure they had no problem with me getting a new set. I guess after around 50 years of boating and about 20 years with Club Marine without a single claim, they maybe felt pity on me and agreed to cover the cost of replacements less a small excess.
So I rang around and was recommended by a fellow fishwrecked mate Rocky, to give Mel Taylor Trimmers in Wangara a go. Garry at Mel Taylors was awesome, I sent him the pics of the boat as below and he quoted a great price despite it being an insurance job. His costs were well below all the other trimmers I had quote for new clears and biminis. The next day Club Marine approved the work/quote and Garry got me into his workshop the very next day. I thought maybe a week to have it all done, but no.. he took 2 days only and whilst I could have picked the boat up yesterday (another storm) I decided to leave it in his workshop and pick it up this morning.
Very impressed with the end result and the great service. Garry is a top bloke and certainly looked after me, opening the shop up this morning so I could collect the boat.
Below are a few before and after pics, so you can see the difference. Make sure you check out the pics of the strange markings on the canopy, which I have had confirmed as being hail damage. Anyway hope this might be some help to guys thinking that perhaps their clears and bimini aren't covered by insurance. Garry says they have been inundated with insurance claims recently mainly from the gin palace boats moored at Hillarys. Good to see the insurance companies actually look after you when you need them. Heres to another 50 years without a claim.
BEFORE SHOTS
Hail Damage
Split Seams
AFTER PICS
Front can be separated from the sides so I can take the whole front section off without having to take the sides off if I want to.
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
Bruce
Posts: 527
Date Joined: 11/04/12
They look great- much clearer
They look great- much clearer and better visibility from the cabin than before.
tot
Posts: 1151
Date Joined: 31/01/10
looks great!
just a question , im looking at the same sort of set up and would like to know how you get to the anchor throu the windcsreen with the clears studded to it?
I dont have the option of being able to get around the side , is this how you go about it?
cheers
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits
Andy Mac
Posts: 4779
Date Joined: 03/02/06
Anchoring
Yep, I very very rarely anchor and most times scoot around the side of the boat to get to the front rather than opening the forward windscreen.
I had my clears with a zip up flap in the middle over the walkthrough section for 11 years and found it impractical. I decided to go with the two mini windown instead this time. In fact I think I could still open the front window as long as I don't fasten the bottom studs around it.
Cheers
Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)
Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club
tot
Posts: 1151
Date Joined: 31/01/10
Thanks Andy
I wonder if short zips could be put in that were say only 100mm long, just enough to assist in the unbuttoning(is that a word??) of the clear to the door? Any trimmers reading??
Reverse cycle a/c supply and install - Ducted and wall splits