Bespoke Marine Covermaking

Everything you expect in a covermaker and a little bit more…

A yacht is a very personal thing and the canvas work on your boat can add a tremendous amount of convenience and comfort, as well as being a practical use of space.  Hence, at Kemp Sails we respect that our customers have important aspirations regarding the features of their canvas work.  We try to ensure that by taking a structured, yet ‘bespoke’ approach we can incorporate all of the features and design aspects that you are looking for.

Our standard Sprayhood features two front windows with wrap around zipped pockets to cover the frame tubes.  The number of tubes and their specification is usually agreed during the quotation/order placement.  The wings are secured with a buckle and webbing straps for tensioning.  The standard hood also has PVC anti-chafe protection and access slits for rope leads.  Where possible we will fit the hood to the deck along the front edge with a PVC Awning track and we will use Lift-the-Dot or Press Stud Fastenings.

Material choice

As with our sails, the selection of material for marine covers is critical.  We only select materials from the best suppliers and we choose from Acrylics that are highly UV stabilised and the most dimensionally stable so they retain their shape.  We have a huge range of colours and shades available, so we can normally source materials to match existing coverwork if specified.  

An important aspect to consider is the fabric coating for additional water resistance.  Typically, a Sprayhood or Cockpit Enclosure should be made in a coated Acrylic material and thus be waterproof, yet still breathe and help avoid condensation.  Grained PVC’s are also available and they tend to be favoured where ease of cleaning is a more important consideration.

Acrylic canvas is not the most abrasion resistant material, so we are careful to use bindings and PVC reinforcements wherever we feel chafe could be an issue.

Windows

Selecting a good window material is very important as inferior alternatives can crack and tend to go ‘milky’ after only a couple of seasons.  With UV damage being an increasing factor these days, we are careful to choose top quality rolled window glass.  If ‘super’ clarity of vision is a requirement such as in hoods that will form a permanent windscreen, then we can offer pressed sheet window material as an optional upgrade.

We always try to ensure an ample amount of light with good sized front windows, however there is the option of our side ‘Panorama’ windows, as an additional extra.

Tube & Fittings

Our Service

We specialise in bespoke covers which are templated individually (even if the cover is a replacement, or re-cover using the existing fittings).  This means that we mainly operate within a geographical catchment area on the South Coast, between Chichester and Weymouth.  However, we will consider making trips further afield and occasionally make pre-arranged journeys within the South of England, and the East Coast.  We are happy to discuss the possibilities particularly if we can ‘group’ jobs together or if you are having sails as well.  Please ask for details. 

Types of Covers

Please feel free to approach us with your own canvas requirements as we are open minded towards individual designs.

The majority of covers tend to be:

Traditional Sprayhoods - normally two bars, with two windows.

Sprayhood Drops - where the hood is enclosed by an aft vertical drop.

Full Enclosures - zips onto the aft of a Sprayhood to enclose the cockpit, usually with roll up sides.

Bimini Covers - a stand alone shelter usually covering the helm’s position.

Bimini Conversions - taking a Bimini cover and frame, adding removable sides and a forward covering so as to make a complete enclosure.

Camper Top  - This creates an enclosed area to the back of a Bimini or sunshade.

Tonneau Covers  - Essentially a flat cover, fastened around the perimeter.

Flybridge Covers - Similar to a Tonneau or Cockpit cover, over the Flybridge Area.

All-Over Winter Covers - Boat cover protecting from Bow to stern.

Bow Cover - Covering an open area at the front and usually snaps on. (a.k.a. Bow Rider Cover)

Aft Canopy– Encloses the back of the boat across a frame designed for coverage and access.