The Facts

This is probably the question we hear most and there is actually no definitive answer; it depends on the intended use of the cover, its location/environment and, to an extent, personal preference.

Ideally  the fabric protecting your boat should be breathable to keep down condensation and preventing trapped moisture building up beneath the cover which leads in-turn to mildew and mould growth, but there are many other considerations to take into account which will influence the final decision.

To make the best choice, it’s important to weigh the facts about different types of fabrics and think of what would work best for your lifestyle, your boat and where you sail/cruise. We’re going to give you an overview of a few of the features we believe are important to consider when choosing fabric for your next cover or canopy.

The first question to address is breathable or non-breathable?
or, to put it another way, water resistant or waterproof?

The terms “waterproof” and “water resistant” may seem to be interchangeable but they are not. Waterproof fabrics will always repel water, even if the fabric is old. Fabrics described as waterproof are usually vinyl, vinyl-coated or laminated. Water resistant fabrics do not inherently repel water but, rather, are treated to not let water soak through. In these fabrics, the coating will deteriorate over time and let water leak through. Water resistant fabrics can also leak when water is allowed to pool on their surface.

So, on the face of it one would assume that 100% waterproof is the way to go. Well, it isn’t quite as simple as that because not only will a waterproof fabric keep water out, it will also keep in moisture  which can present serious problems in the UK climate. Then there is also the issue that waterproof fabrics are generally much heavier due to the PVC coatings.

When it comes to breathable marine fabrics, two standout options are Acrylic Canvas and uncoated Polyester fabrics such as Weathermax 80 or Top Notch 9. Both are designed to allow moisture to escape, helping to prevent condensation, mildew, and mould—common issues in the UK’s damp climate. Acrylic Canvas offers a traditional look with excellent UV resistance and colour retention, it also has a Polyurethane back-coating making it more water resistant. Polyester fabrics like Weathermax 80 are lighter, stronger, and offer superior dimensional stability, (less shrink/stretch) making them ideal for larger covers and more demanding marine conditions.

Here’s the low-down on each of the fabrics we currently offer:

This is a fairly heavy fabric which tends to become stiff with age. It is generally coated with a PVC layer which has a grained texture on the top side and a smooth surface on the  underside which is often silver/grey in colour. Some PVC’s have a canvas backing; these aren’t really suitable for boat covers due to strength and shrinkage issues.
Pros
100% Waterproof
Low maintenance: (they can easily be cleaned using soapy water, a hosepipe or even a power-wash. They don’t require any special treatment and will never need re-waterproofing.)

Cons
100% Waterproof (Not breathable hence more condensation)
Colour fades with time
Fabric is heavy and more difficult to manage
Stiffens over time
Life expectancy – 8 – 10 years

This is a lighter-weight fabric made from woven solution-dyed acrylic yarn and looks much like a traditional canvas material. It will retain its colour for many years and remain flexible throughout its lifetime but does require more care and routine maintenance including cleaning and re-proofing. It is available in a plain uncoated or PU coated versions. The uncoated is more breathable but less water resistant.  It is typically used for making sprayhoods, sail covers and equipment bags/covers.

Pros
Breathable
Water resistant to 70cm (PU coated) or 35cm (Uncoated) (Figures may vary between different brands)
UV Resistant guaranteed 5 years
Life expectancy 10 – 15 years (Depending on maintenance)

Cons
Not as hard wearing as most other fabrics
Prone to Green on damp shaded areas
Prone to Mould & Mildew in warm moist environment.
Will need regular cleaning and re-proofing to keep in top condition
Can shrink and/or stretch over time
Life expectancy – 10-12 years