Quick Marine Zipper Replacement

Bimini tops are a necessary addition for my boats since the discomfort of excessive summer heat impairs my ability to focus solely of my jig pole. If you have a Bimini top stowed it needs to be booted. We have all seen a boat going down the road with the Bimini top flapping in the wind, the restraints off, the owner not knowing their top is shredding while their driving. Just clueless till the Visa Card is used to buy a replacement.

Well the boot for my Tin boat top had the zipper split right down the middle. I used my bow rope to secure it till I got home but once home I removed the top completely. No unnecessary Visa Card use for me. Anyway this is a post on replacing the very poor quality Far East Zipper with a YKK #10 replacement.

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First things first I am using a Ripper to cut the original threads between the Binding & Zipper removing both (really cheap quality) components.


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Binding the edges of this Sunbrella fabric is very necessary due to Sunbrella"s tendency to unravel.

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This type of zipper is also known as a Jacket Zipper. You buy them in the length you need or make your sewing designs fit what is available. I needed a 6ft Black Zipper which I keep 1 each length in black & white for repairs. I just replace the ones I use so I can always fix a canvas zipper (up to 84 inches long).

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Black 1 inch Sunbrella Binding on the Bias is another item I keep for projects. It's so much cheaper to buy a roll and in black, who doesn't like black trim, will work with most sewing projects.

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Check out the difference in Zipper size. A YKK #10 Zipper is a beast.

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Best way to match up the middle of the Zipper with the middle of the Boot is folding. Here I'm using a wax pencil to mark the center of the folded Zipper.

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After folding and marking you just line up the marks.

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This method of centering a Zipper you can't miss for perfect placement. But oh no, I have white thread in the machine. Quick change over and a quick oiling of the machine then we are ready to sew.

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The Presser Foot I'm using is slick on the bottom, its for sewing leather, vinyl, etc. It slips on Sunbrella and Zippers but I want to use it because on a #10 Zipper it has the perfect stich offset. A Zipper foot is missing 1/2 the foot so I have to pay close attention to where I'm sewing but this leather foot I just put the edge of the foot against the teeth of the Zipper, perfect spacing.

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To shutdown the Slip & Slide though I used Basting Tape on the opposite side or half of the zipper, really cheating for simplicity here.

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Basting tape is a double sided sticky tape that helps hold the Zipper to the Sunbrella fabric till you run it under the needle. It comes on a roll and is used widely in Marine Canvas applications for just this purpose.

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Now that you have both sides of the Zipper sewn on the issue of the Sunbrella unraveling as well as finishing the zipper off with a clean edge has arrived. That spool of 1in Sunbrella Binding in black it ready to use.

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In this picture I have installed a 1 inch Vinyl Binding Attachment to my sewing machine. This guides & folds the binding over the Zipper / Sunbrella edge finishing it off, like trim on a project.

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So you start your binding run on the same yellow wax pencil marks marking the center of the Boot and start sewing. I feed the Boot edge into the folded Binding while the machine sews the two together.

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You continue to Bind the edge till you overlap your starting point by at least 1/2 inch. Since durability is desired I overlap binding a complete inch Backstiching at the end locking it all together to prevent unraveling.

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We've all seen a Bimini Top stowed like this,

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It should always be stowed like this. I hope you find this informative.

Certainly and impressive aray of talents.

I have not had a Bimini top until thos recent acquisition of this pontoon boat. I did put it up the other day while I was cleaning. The shade was Certainly welcome.

Beautiful work!