Replacing Boat Canopy Frames: A Step-By-Step Guide

Boat owners often need to replace their canopy covers due to wear and tear, or simply for a new look. The process of replacing a canopy frame on a boat hoist involves first identifying the brand and model of the boat lift to ensure the correct replacement parts are sourced. The canopy cover should be removed from its box and placed on top of the canopy frame, with the black QuikLash webbing on the inside. The cover is then unrolled down the length of the frame and unfolded across the top of the canopy ribs, ensuring it is centred and secure. The bungee loops are then attached through the QuikLash webbing, alternating from side to side, and stretched under the frame to attach to the hooks or holes on each rib. The process may vary slightly depending on the brand and model of the boat lift, with some using a puck system or spring hooks, but the fundamental steps of unrolling, centring, and securing the canopy cover remain consistent.

How to replace canopy frame on boat hoist

Unboxing and placing the canopy

To begin the installation of your new canopy, start by carefully unboxing it, taking care not to damage the fabric. Once you have removed all the packaging, you should be left with the canopy fabric, which may be folded or rolled, and a bundle of components, including the frame and any fastenings. Lay out the contents and identify each piece, checking them against the parts listed in the instruction manual.

Now, you can begin the process of placing the canopy. Identify the canopy fabric bundle, which you will place on top of the canopy frame. Carefully unroll the fabric, starting from one end of the frame and working your way down its length. Ensure you unroll it in a straight line, keeping it centred on the frame. Once fully unrolled, unfold the fabric across the top of the canopy ribs or bows. Pull the fabric down snugly over the frame, ensuring it is positioned squarely, with equal amounts of overhang on each side and end.

Check that the black QuickLash webbing is on the inside, right behind or slightly above the aluminum canopy frame, running lengthwise. If your canopy has a support bar welded across the length of the frame, you will need to attach each bungee through a perforated hole in the QuickLash webbing and stretch it underneath the canopy frame, hooking it onto the horizontal support bar.

If your canopy uses the puck system, you will only need bungee loops for installation. Attach a bungee loop through the QuickLash webbing directly in line with each aluminium rib. Then, alternating from side to side, stretch the bungee loop under the round aluminium frame and up around the white puck on each rib.

Attaching the bungee loops

QuickLash Mounting System:

Many boat lift canopy brands, including ShoreStation, Atlas, and Harbor Master, utilise the QuickLash mounting system. This system involves attaching bungee loops through the QuickLash webbing, which is typically black in colour. Ensure that the webbing is on the inside, right behind or slightly above the aluminium canopy frame, running lengthwise.

Attaching Bungee Loops:

• Positioning: Place a bungee loop directly in line with each aluminium rib or canopy rib of the canopy frame.
• Alternating Sides: Stretch the bungee loop under the round aluminium frame and up around the white puck or hook on each rib. Alternating from side to side ensures the canopy remains centred.
• Additional Support: For added stability, consider using additional bungee loops in the corners of the canopy.
• Hooked Bungee Straps: If your canopy uses hooked bungee straps, stretch the bungee underneath the canopy frame and hook it into the hole in the corresponding rib.
• Support Bar: If your canopy frame features a support bar welded across the length, attach the bungee through the perforated hole of the QuickLash webbing and stretch it upwards to hook onto the horizontal support bar.
• Spacing: Evenly space the bungees around the perimeter of the frame, continuing to alternate from side to side and end to end.

By following these steps and adjusting the process according to your specific canopy brand and model, you can ensure that your boat lift canopy is securely attached using the bungee loops. Remember to refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer for any brand-specific variations or additional steps.

Centering the canopy

To center the canopy when replacing a canopy frame on a boat hoist, follow these steps:

First, remove the canopy cover from its box and place it on top of the canopy frame. Unroll the canopy cover down the length of the frame, ensuring it is centered with equal amounts of overhang on each side and end. This is important to ensure the canopy is properly aligned before securing it in place.

For ShoreStation canopies, the black Quiklash webbing should be on the inside, right behind or slightly above the aluminum canopy frame, going lengthwise and positioned squarely on the frame. If your canopy is an older model with spring hooks, you will need to use the bungee loops and canopy clips. Attach a bungee loop through the Quiklash webbing directly in line with each aluminum rib of the canopy frame, then install a canopy clip onto each loop. Stretch the bungee under the round aluminum beam and hook it into the hole in the rib.

For ShoreMaster, Pier Pleasure, Daka, Dock Rite, Newman, Porta Dock, Feighner, Triton, Vibo, and Harbor Master canopies, the QuickLash black webbing should also be on the inside, right behind or slightly above the aluminum canopy frame, going lengthwise. These brands use individual bungees with a hook on the end. Attach each bungee through a perforated hole in the QuikLash webbing directly in line with each canopy rib. Stretch the bungee underneath the canopy frame and up into the corresponding hole in the frame rib. It is important to alternate from side to side and end to end to ensure the canopy remains centered.

Some canopy frames feature a support bar welded across the length of the canopy frame. In this case, attach each bungee through the perforated hole of the QuikLash webbing, stretch it underneath the canopy frame, and hook it onto the horizontal support bar. Again, be sure to evenly space the bungees and alternate from side to side and end to end to maintain a centered position.

Using the QuickLash system

The QuickLash system is a user-friendly and easy-to-install design with increased strength and durability over traditional attachment systems. The QuickLash webbing is a technologically designed material that incorporates lacing holes within the webbing. This eliminates the need for grommets that can loosen over time, providing a more secure fit. The reinforced laced holes are located every 3 inches along the webbing, reducing the number of needle punctures into the material. The system also eliminates O-ring tie-downs, preventing rust and brackish decay.

To install a canopy using the QuickLash system, first, remove the cover from the box and place the bundle on top of the canopy frame. Unroll the replacement canopy down the length of the frame. Once unrolled, unfold the cover across the top of the canopy ribs/bows and position squarely on the frame. Ensure the canopy is centred, with equal amounts of overhang on each side and end. The black Quiklash webbing should now be on the inside and right behind or slightly above the aluminium canopy frame, going lengthwise.

Next, attach a bungee loop through the quiklash webbing directly inline with each aluminium rib/bow of the canopy frame. If your canopy has spring hooks, install a canopy clip onto each loop by pulling the bungee loop through the spiralled end of the clip. Stretch the bungee loop under the round aluminium frame and up around the white puck on each rib. For older-style canopies with spring hooks, stretch the bungee under the aluminium beam and hook it into the hole in the rib.

Finally, use the bungee hooks in the same fashion by lacing through the quiklash webbing and stretching up to either the holes or hooks on each corresponding rib on each end of the canopy. Additional bungee loops may be used in the corners.

Removing the canopy

To remove the canopy, follow these steps:

Firstly, identify the type of canopy frame you have. Different brands and models may have specific removal processes, so it is important to know your canopy's make and model. For example, the Harbor Master canopy frame features flat ends with a high peak in the middle and vertical supports on the ends with welded horizontal bars along the sides and ends.

Once you have identified your canopy type, you can begin the removal process. If your canopy uses a QuickLash mounting system, the removal process will be relatively simple. The QuickLash mounting system is used by several brands, including ShoreMaster, Pier Pleasure, Daka, Dock Rite, Newman, Porta Dock, Feighner, Triton, Vibo, and Harbor Master. To remove the canopy, simply unhook the bungee from the holes in the ribs or the support bar. You don't need to remove the bungees from the canopy cover; they can remain looped through the QuickLash webbing for the next season's installation. Ensure that your canopy cover is clean and dry before storing it in a dry environment.

If your canopy is an older style with spring hooks, you will need to remove the canopy cover from the box and place it on top of the canopy frame. Unroll the replacement canopy down the length of the frame and unfold the cover across the top of the canopy ribs. Position the cover squarely on the frame, ensuring that the black QuickLash webbing is on the inside and slightly above or behind the "round" aluminum canopy frame.

After preparing the new canopy, you can remove the old one. Carefully detach the spring hooks from the holes in the ribs, and remove any remaining bungee loops or canopy clips.

By following these steps, you can safely and effectively remove your boat hoist canopy, preparing for any necessary repairs or replacements.

Frequently asked questions