Pram cover has shrunk

[Swanky pirate]

not been on as we've been out cruising wont fit now has shrunk any ideas how to stretch canvas on the outside plastic on the inside thanks 

[Kendorr]

Try heat from a hair dryer as a first attempt, there may be enough heat to 'relax' the material.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

If I've deciphered that correctly from the absent punctuation and capitalisation, you have a pram hood cover that you can 't fit on to the boat after being off while cruising? Try getting it warm first. This afternoon looks to be forecast for 20C and some weak sun around the Soar. Leave it over the frame in the sun, then try and get it over the frame and down to the fixings. People try and install hoods when it is warm, so they don't sag in hot weather, but this makes them harder to fit when cold.

[Tracy D'arth]

I think its a lack of punctuation that is shrinking it.  Try a full stop on the colon.

[Quattrodave]

3 hours ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

If I've deciphered that correctly from the absent punctuation and capitalisation

 

Yeah I read it 3 times, didn't really understand it, and couldn't be bothered to try again...

[Alan de Enfield]

Maybe it you disolve half-a-dozen 'blue pills' in a bucket of water and then put your crutch cover in the bucket it may 'grow larger'.

 

Worth a try ?

 

Intentional error !

Edited September 24, 2023 by Alan de Enfield

[Naughty Cal]

Wet it and then put it on.

[cuthound]

It happens over time. I'm in the process of replacing my 16year old cratch cover. The manufacturer of the new one says they rarely last more than 10 years before shrinking to the point where they no longer fit.

Edited September 24, 2023 by cuthound
Spillung

[Tigerr]

10 yrs max. 5 yrs if you don't have it rigged under strong tension has been my experience. It's very irritating. It is possible though to fit extensions, skirts to take up the slack. Much cheaper then replacing the whole lot. 

[Momac]

I agree wit the suggestion of wetting the canvas which will allow it to stretch a little more 

 

[Naughty Cal]

3 hours ago, cuthound said:

It happens over time. I'm in the process of replacing my 16year old cratch cover. The manufacturer of the new one says they rarely last more than 10 years before shrinking to the point where they no longer fit.

The hoods on NC were about 11 years old when we sold her and still fit just fine. 

 

We gave them a good clean and Fabsil every year and they were still in excellent condition in 2021 when we sold her. 

 

Fast forward to this year when we saw her in July, the new owners had obviously done nothing with them and they barely fit at all. They looked terrible!

 

If you look after them they will last. We were on a friend's boat not long back and his Hoods are 17 years old now and still look in good condition. Gey a quality product and look after it and it will last.

[cuthound]

Just now, Naughty Cal said:

The hoods on NC were about 11 years old when we sold her and still fit just fine. 

 

We gave them a good clean and Fabsil every year and they were still in excellent condition in 2021 when we sold her. 

 

Fast forward to this year when we saw her in July, the new owners had obviously done nothing with them and they barely fit at all. They looked terrible!

 

If you look after them they will last. We were on a friend's boat not long back and his Hoods are 17 years old now and still look in good condition. Gey a quality product and look after it and it will last.

 

I agree, mine were originally made by Wilson's and still look reasonably good (I've cleaned with Fabsil and re-stained it with Renovo on a regular basis), but it has shrunk by about six inches, so the press studs on the roof no longer line up and the overlap on the gunnels no longer overlaps... 😖

 

The replacement is coming from Kinver Canopies, who staff used to work for Wilson's.

[Swanky pirate]

Thanks for all the advice guys