We have a cockpit tent which is rarely used. At the start of the season I had attached the framework without thinking too carefully about it, until one wet stay in Rothesay Mrs Dougie thought we should put the tent up.
I had some difficulty in getting it fitted and eventually it occurred to me that the framework was on the wrong way round. After changing it the tent went up tickety boo, but as the rain intensified there was a drip along the seam, caused I think by my overstretching it during the first attempt.
Wrapping a towel round the frame solved the problem as it was a small leak, but I want to fix it before the new season.
I see from a Google search that there are a variety of adhesive waterproof tapes which can be applied along the seam to rectify the problem. Does anyone have experience of such an issue and can recommend a product or supplier that will do the job effectively.
adding a tape seam to the underside is not likely to prevent rain getting through the outer side of the seam, and won't look very good on the outside, so I'd be tempted to try first of all a standard material waterproof-er such as Nikwax
A seam sealer from a camping suppliers may be the answer.
It's not an uncommon problem with tents and we had (still have) Granger's Seam Seal. A waxy semi-solid that's applied like a lipstick along the seam although the current product looks different to that which we bought 35+ years ago.
Perhaps I should have mentioned that the tent is canvas to match the Bimini. From my reading of the Grangers Seam Sealant it is apparently designed for sythetic materials - or am I wrong?
Yes that one is although the stuff I have is for cotton canvas. Is your tent cotton canvas or acrylic canvas?
do a Google search for Tent + " seam sealer". Theres one by Gelert that's suitable for cotton and synthetics. Tapes too. Not investigated in depth... thats for you to do ... but I am sure you'll find something on the camping market
__________________
Old Chemists never die. They just fail to react
SeaWych OA http://www.seawych.org/
I contacted the manufacturers 'Comfort Afloat' and they suggested Grangers, but advised me to try the local Camping shop or Chandler to save postage!!!
Told me to get back to them if I was stuck. Very helpful lady named Lynn - almost as helpful as you guys.
Go and see Sally at Jess Sail in Ardrossan . I am sure that she can sew a reinforcing strip in the correct place that will stop the drip.
73s de
Johnth
Would you believe it. We are in Almerimar now Spain. Sally at Jessail in Ardrossan fixed us up and she does not charge a lot for all the work she does. Excellent and will collect/deliver.