Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

[Rod Tait]

Looking for review from actual owners who have used these products. Internet states Sunbrella is longer lasting, but Weathermax appears to be less expensive. Don't mind paying more for Sunbrella if it is truly a better product.

[rgthom]

I made a tent for my boat from Weathermax 65 eight years ago. The tent snaps on and fits tight, so any change would be noticeable. It is still in fine shape, color and dimensions as new. The boat is garaged, and gets much more use in sun than rain.

- Rick

[Todd Bradshaw]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Sunbrella tends to change its feel over time, which most of the polyester cover fabrics don't do as much. A Sunbrella cover that is a few years old will still work and look fine, but it will be much softer than it originally was. Therefore, there are issues to address with Sunbrella. I reinforce any spot where a fastener will go (like snaps) usually with an internal patch of Dacron sailcloth. The same is true of obvious spots where it will be pulled down over a piece of hardware as chafe prevention. Either Dacron sailcloth or one of the vinyl-coated nylon truck tarp fabrics are used for this, because they won't soften over time.

The bow light on my Boston Whaler's cover has such a patch, as do the grommets for the cover's support poles. The Nordica sailboat's cover has a 2" wide band of Dacron along the edges to reinforce all those fasteners along the edges of the cockpit. It's not absolutely critical to do this, but it makes a huge difference in how long the cover lasts. Sunbrella also needle-puckers, so it should be sewn with a long (4-5mm) straight stitch. Once you address those issues it is great stuff and really lasts.

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The Hobie kayaks have Weathermax covers. It was done mostly for price as they don't spend much time out in the sun between uses. It takes a bit less reinforcement than Sunbrella but the issues still exist, so it's worth doing. I have noticed a little bit of color change (fading) but not much so far and it is doing OK. The Blackstone griddle in the back has a cover made from Top Gun coated polyester. It is heavier and stiff but weatherproof (a bit more weatherproof than I'd like for a boat as breathability is often at least as important as waterproofness, especially on wooden boats).

Hobies.jpg

The big canoe's cover is Odyssey III polyester (6 oz.) I've used it for kayak cockpit covers and other, somewhat lighter covers for many years and it's nice both for price and keeping the stowed weight and bulk down.

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In a perfect world, I would sew them all using Tenara Thread (GoreTex/Teflon thread). It won't sun rot, but costs about $60 per spool the last time I looked. Instead, I use standard polyester thread that covers have been sewn with for decades. These cover fabrics will generally last about twice as long as the thread holding them together, so down the road you may need to do a bit of touch-up re-sewing.

[Edward Pearson]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

There’s a few different weights of Sunbrella. Sunbrella plus, feels alot tougher and is properly waterproof though less breathable. My rowing boat cover is that and its of an order ‘tougher’ to feel than some ‘normal’ Sunbrella end of roll i’ve bought to have a go at making a cover. Just saying to know what you’re buying as its more a collection of fabrics than a specific one. Todd do you use the Plus?

[Toxophilite]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

You have a Nordica 16!?? Cool! I had a Danica 16 for quite a while. Nice boats. Kind of miss mine.

Sunbrella tends to change its feel over time, which most of the polyester cover fabrics don't do as much. A Sunbrella cover that is a few years old will still work and look fine, but it will be much softer than it originally was. Therefore, there are issues to address with Sunbrella. I reinforce any spot where a fastener will go (like snaps) usually with an internal patch of Dacron sailcloth. The same is true of obvious spots where it will be pulled down over a piece of hardware as chafe prevention. Either Dacron sailcloth or one of the vinyl-coated nylon truck tarp fabrics are used for this, because they won't soften over time.

The bow light on my Boston Whaler's cover has such a patch, as do the grommets for the cover's support poles. The Nordica sailboat's cover has a 2" wide band of Dacron along the edges to reinforce all those fasteners along the edges of the cockpit. It's not absolutely critical to do this, but it makes a huge difference in how long the cover lasts. Sunbrella also needle-puckers, so it should be sewn with a long (4-5mm) straight stitch. Once you address those issues it is great stuff and really lasts.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]127088[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]127089[/ATTACH]



The Hobie kayaks have Weathermax covers. It was done mostly for price as they don't spend much time out in the sun between uses. It takes a bit less reinforcement than Sunbrella but the issues still exist, so it's worth doing. I have noticed a little bit of color change (fading) but not much so far and it is doing OK. The Blackstone griddle in the back has a cover made from Top Gun coated polyester. It is heavier and stiff but weatherproof (a bit more weatherproof than I'd like for a boat as breathability is often at least as important as waterproofness, especially on wooden boats).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]127090[/ATTACH]

The big canoe's cover is Odyssey III polyester (6 oz.) I've used it for kayak cockpit covers and other, somewhat lighter covers for many years and it's nice both for price and keeping the stowed weight and bulk down.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]127091[/ATTACH]

In a perfect world, I would sew them all using Tenara Thread (GoreTex/Teflon thread). It won't sun rot, but costs about $60 per spool the last time I looked. Instead, I use standard polyester thread that covers have been sewn with for decades. These cover fabrics will generally last about twice as long as the thread holding them together, so down the road you may need to do a bit of touch-up re-sewing.

[Todd Bradshaw]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Sunbrella plus is coated, so I don't usually use it and prefer a more breathable option. Yes, we had a Nordica for a while. I bought it cheap. It had been owned by an old couple who let it fill up with rainwater on the trailer until the rear support pads broke through the hull and it also got lots of gelcoat blisters. It took me about six months to dry it out, fix the breaks, sand and barrier coat the hull then paint it. At the time we had our trimaran out on a mooring and I also had my Mini 12 Meter in the garage, so I eventually sold the Nordica to a friend because it wasn't getting used. It was a really neat little boat and of all the boats I've worked on out in the driveway, it was the one that got the most attention from folks wanting to buy it.

nordica-4-copy.jpg

[Breakaway]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Never owned or used WeatherMax

Have gotten many years of service from both manufactured and self-made covers, awnings, enclosures, etc made of Sunbrella.


Kevin

[Bruce Bateau]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Looking for review from actual owners who have used these products. Internet states Sunbrella is longer lasting, but Weathermax appears to be less expensive. Don't mind paying more for Sunbrella if it is truly a better product.

Rod, I agree with things people have said above. I have used Sunbrella, and Odyssey with success for boat covers and cockpit tents- but you didn't tell us what you were planning to cover and how it would be used. I've found that the lower priced materials don't last as long and delaminate. They all work pretty well for a short-term project.

Things to consider:
* the area you need to cover- the costs can add up quickly
* the weight of each fabric- heavier material may be harder to deal with on the boat and sag more.
* breathability- are you trying to keep water from getting in? Is it ok if something is a little wet if most of the water stays out?
* Are you sewing it yourself? How much can your machine handle?

[Todd Bradshaw]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

A few other things to be aware of. Your covers will both work better and last longer (including the thread) if you re-treat them every two or three years. The substance you want is a fluorocarbon and the best is 303 Fabric Guard pump-spray. My hand gets tired, so I stick mine in a cheap Harbor Freight spray gun hooked to the compressor. Just don't later try to spray paint or varnish with that gun. Do not use silicone sprays as they are not compatible with the original treatment that came on the fabric. The Fabric Guard will increase and refresh both water and UV resistance.

The best thread weight is going to generally be V-69 or V-92 (heavier but bobbins don't hold as much). Dabond Anti-wick polyester is what I use, and lines of stitching which don't show on the outside where possible don't suffer UV damage. Usually, if a sewn seam or joint is more than three layers thick there might be a better way to engineer that section. Also, a hot knife of some sort is the best way to cut these fabrics while preventing eventual raveling of cut edges.

[ulav8r]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Tenara thread from Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Gore-Tenara-M...2-63e904010ad0

[Todd Bradshaw]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

What a deal and it's only an 8 oz. cone. Yes, it is really good stuff if you can get your tension plates adjusted to grip on something that slippery, but the price is crazy.

[Rod Tait]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Cover will be for Elfyn which is in another thread. Customer has chosen Sunbrella and will advise to coat the cover every few years. Not sure if stored outside or inside. That will be up to owner. Using mast as ridge pole.
ridgebeam.jpg

[Jack Loudon]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

I had a 31 ft powerboat that came with a big Sunbrella enclosure that covered half the boat. When the boat was sold 14 years later the original Sunbrella was ready to be replaced but that's a long time with no tears and no leaks. I was impressed.

[Garret]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

Possibly won't help you, but my insulated coveralls have 10+ year old Sunbrella knee/leg patches that have stood up just fine!

More useful maybe is my gray Sunbrella mainsail cover which has 3 full Florida years & 8 Maine summers & is still fine.

[Toxophilite]

Re: Sunbrella vs. Weathermax80

So people use sunbrella for boom camping tents? I was going to use sunforger canvas but a friend has some surplus sunbrella

Rod, I agree with things people have said above. I have used Sunbrella, and Odyssey with success for boat covers and cockpit tents- but you didn't tell us what you were planning to cover and how it would be used. I've found that the lower priced materials don't last as long and delaminate. They all work pretty well for a short-term project.

Things to consider:
* the area you need to cover- the costs can add up quickly
* the weight of each fabric- heavier material may be harder to deal with on the boat and sag more.
* breathability- are you trying to keep water from getting in? Is it ok if something is a little wet if most of the water stays out?
* Are you sewing it yourself? How much can your machine handle?