Practical Boat Owner – August 2019

2

Use pliers to squeeze the metal

clips closed between the teeth on

both sides of the zip.

3

Cut away the excess length of zip,

above the mark (on both sides),

being sure to leave a bit extra to form new

tape ends for attachment to the canvas.

5

A finished zip channel. Complete all

the zip channels in the same

manner. Use a piece of stainless tubing

(the same diameter as your bimini frame)

to check the newly cut zip and Velcro

sections will have sufficient width to wrap

or enclose the tubes.

7

Measure the original and cut new

pieces to form the Velcro closure.

8

Mark the centre opening on the new
canvas for the backstay flap and
around the hole. Cut the opening and sew
a Velcro flap on to each side – hooks on
the lower surface and loops on the upper.

9

Edge the backstay opening and all
of the outer edges of the bimini with
grey tape for neatness and strength.

6

The bimini’s central Velcro channel

has Velcro stitched onto the reverse

and right sides to allow the canvas to curl

around and encase the stainless steel

frame. Draw around the canvas strips, cut

them to length then stitch the Velcro in

place. Here I used quilting clips to hold

the Velcro while sewing.

4

Edge each piece of canvas with
matching grey fabric tape which will
protect and neaten the raw edges of the
fabric/canvas. Then use double-sided
sticky tape to hold the zip in place when
sewing it in. This stops adjacent layers
slipping during sewing with the machine.

4

Use small pieces of plastic material

to cover and reinforce the unused

exposed teeth of the zip. For additional

strength, over-sew the zip end two or

three times and double-stitch all zips

along their length.

1

These stainless steel zipper top

stops are used to create the end of

travel of the zip slider when done up.

The rear of the bimini has a hole to allow
the backstay to pass through it. The
canvas in this section has to be cut and
Velcro is used to close the gap.

Choose zips with plastic teeth, as metal

will rust in a marine environment.

Use the original zip to measure the exact

length required, including the end tapes.

For the sprayhood, if you’re making new

channels, measure the length of gap in

which to insert the new zip. This will be

from the base of the zip to the top. Mark

the final length with a pen, and where to

cut.

PRACTICAL

BIMINI BACKSTAY SLOT HOW TO SHORTEN ZIPS