Canopy Advice

[shetty]

Hi All, My name is Colin, my wife and I bought our first boat April this year a 1977 Shetland 640 hard top with a 1600 ford diesel engine and Enfield outdrive, I joined this forum June this year so new to both boating and this forum, we have spent the most of the summer updating our boat/going out for rides and reading a lot of your posts old and new ( leant a lot from this forum so thank you all for posting) Apart from our dog our boat is now our pride and joy’ we are baste in Ely/Littleport and use the Ouse between Ely and Denver slues a lot. Now this is where we need your help our canopy is old and tired so we need to give her a new one, I have had 3 estimates Bailey & Stone Gt Yarmouth, Titan boat canopies Huntingdon, they will both come out measure up/make & fit on site then an estimate from Shetland but there canopy is off the peg so to speak, so what I need to know from you guys is have you bought a canopy from any of these suppliers which are good or which are bad, thanks if you can help. Sorry for long post. Colin

[DavidW]

After getting quotes from one or two aftermarket firms, I bought a canopy directly from Shetland for my Saxon about 2 years ago.

I haggled with Mr Reinman and got a reasonable deal, and it was delivered fairly promptly considering the lead time quoted.

The added bonus is you know it’s going to fit

Some have had problems dealing with Shetland but I can only go on my own positive experience.

Regards

David.

[admin]

Give Nauticover a ring. Ask for Phil

They carry pattens for most Shetlands. Very reasonable and I have used them on a couple of occasions

http://nauticover.co.uk/

[shetty]

Thanks Sue And David for your advice, Since then I have spent 3 months looking for a new canopy for my Shetland 640 and now settled for Titan Boat Canopies in Huntingdon (15 miles from me) I spoke to Steve who was very helpful and said he was going to the marina were I moor my boat to fit a new canopy and I can meet him there so I could see for myself the canopies he suppliers and he will came and see my Shetland and answer any questions I might have, When we met he spent about an hour telling me what I need and cost which I found was a very good price which included new stainless steel frame (my old one is old thin alloy tube) He gave me the address of a marina in Huntingdon were he had fitted canopy to a Shetland 640 the same as mine which I went to see and was very impressed of the quality and fitting So now I have paid a small deposit and it will be fitted end of February and will not have pay the balance until I’m happy after fitting, I found both Steve and his wife (who answers the phone) very polite and helpful. Hope this helps anybody who in looking for a canopy. I will update when my canopy is fitted. Thanks again Sue and David
Colin.

[shetty]

Thanks Rem44, I found Steve and his wife very helpful and nothing was too much trouble.
Colin.