Shetland Family 4 — New Canopy Cover, River Thames, Henley-on-Thames
A full replacement cockpit canopy for a Shetland Family 4 moored at Henley-on-Thames, fitted in marine-grade PVC with stainless steel fittings.
When the owner of this beautiful Shetland Family 4 contacted us, the original canopy had reached the end of its life after years of service on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames. The stitching had failed along the forward seam, the PVC had become brittle and chalky in the sun, and water was pooling rather than running off cleanly. It was time for a fresh start.
The Shetland Family 4 is a classic British inland cruiser that feels entirely at home on the Thames. Wide-beamed at 8ft and comfortable enough for weekend stays aboard, the cockpit is the heart of the boat — open, sociable, and exposed to whatever the English weather decides to throw at it. Henley is one of the more demanding mooring environments on the river: full southerly exposure in the afternoon, heavy dew most mornings, and the ever-present risk of a sharp shower rolling in off the Chilterns without warning.
We collected the original cover via our postal copying service, which allows owners anywhere in the UK to send us their old cover for exact pattern replication. Once it arrived in our Carterton workshop, we could see immediately why it had failed — the original material was a lightweight PVC that simply was not specified for full UV exposure on open water.
For the replacement, we specified our Permacote 600D marine-grade PVC in slate grey — a 600-denier fabric with a double-coated finish that offers exceptional resistance to UV degradation, remains supple in cold temperatures, and sheds water cleanly without any treatment needed. All seams were double-stitched and heat-sealed at the overlap points. We fitted the same stainless steel press-studs as the original, with a full-length central zip for easy on-and-off access.
The finished canopy was posted back within six working days of receiving the pattern. The owner fitted it himself in under an hour and reported back that it sat perfectly — not a pucker or sag in sight.
Cover type: Cockpit canopy with rear curtain
Material: Permacote 600D PVC, slate grey
Fittings: Stainless steel press-studs, brass zip
Turnaround: 6 days from pattern receipt
Location: Henley-on-Thames, River Thames, Oxfordshire
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Boat covers for the River Thames
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