Editor’s note: Hal is a Sunbrella believer and also heads up our marketing efforts at Glen Raven. Here’s his experience with Sunbrella on his father’s boat.

My love of the water came from my father.  In the spring of 1995, he purchased a Grady White Spirit 17 center console for fishing down at the North Carolina coast.  Dad stood 6′ 4″ , so he had a custom aluminum t-top made to keep him shaded.  The t-top ended up making the boat too tall to store, so it lived out in the weather 365 days per year.  Not a problem, because the canvas on the top was Sunbrella, and dad knew it would last.  Coincidentally, I landed a job with Glen Raven – the fine folks who make Sunbrella fabric – that fall.

I still have the Grady, and still keep it outdoors year round.  My kids love spending a summer day on her.  The navy Sunbrella marine canvas top lasted longer than the original outboard motor.  In fact, the fabric still looked brand new after 12 years of being in the sun, but two years ago I noticed the sewing thread on the top side had nearly disintegrated.  The top was about to come apart at the seams.

I could easily have had the original top resewn and been good to go for another 12 years, but I love the new Sunbrella Supreme marine fabric.  Supreme is a completely waterproof two layer fabric, with traditional Sunbrella marine canvas on top, and a Sunbrella flocked fabric underneath.  It was available in a navy that matched Grady White’s signature navy, with a linen flock underneath.

The result is a very nice headliner effect that brightens the cockpit underneath the top.  The look is very sharp.  I also had a matching set of cushions made in standard Sunbrella linen marine fabric with navy piping and with mesh bottom panels for quick draining.

If you see me on the intracoastal waterway, be sure to say hi and ask about the Sunbrella Supreme t-top.  I’d love to swap fishing stories, and I’ll pass along a Sunbrella cap and keychain.  Happy boating!

Filed under: Fabrics, Marine, On The Water | 6 Comments →