The canvas of a hood or bimini has a lifespan of 5 to 8 years. This difference depends on the use you make of it, but above all on the geographical area in which you sail. Besides the aggressive UV rays that"cook" the fabric or the glazing, it is also the pollution that often comes to the end of these protections.
But the end of the fabric's life does not mean that you have to change the entire soft top, including the stainless steel support. Indeed, the company NV Equipment which equips all the boats of great series kept all the gauges of the hoods, biminis or other protections of console or helm which it manufactures since 1975 ! It therefore proposes to re-equip you with a new canvas without changing the metal structure.
This proposal is valid for sailboats with hoods and biminis, but also for all motorboats (Bimini and various protections). Even if 80% of the sailboats are currently in need of renewal, motorboat owners can also benefit.
This canvas change could be an opportunity to change color and give a new look to your boat. Of course, the products manufactured, built as originally will be guaranteed. If component modifications, such as a zipper or an additional opening, have been made on these models, the new fabric will benefit.
It should be noted that on a soft top or a bimini, to renew its fabric comes back to approximately 50% of the price of the complete product (fabric more stainless). Why so much? Quite simply, because the canvas with its seams and glazing requires a long assembly. But labour is expensive...
It should also be noted that it is not possible to replace only the glass panes of a soft top. Even if these age faster in opaque and yellow front, the tensions realized on the canvas during the life of the hood do not make any DIY possible.
To renew your hood, simply contact the NV Equipment dealer on your port. The process is rigorous and will pass by the transmission of photos of your boat with the protections in place. This will define the model and remove any doubts about the origin of protection. It is a question of making sure that it is indeed an NV Equipment model and that the new protection will be well adapted on the structure in place.
With a fabric renewal, it is the assurance of having a new totally transparent glazing, a new waterproof canvas and a new style with brighter colors or simply changed.
