Canvas Boat Top

I have a boat that is covered with a canvas tarp that has water trapped in it from a previous winter rain. That water freezes at temps just below 40 degrees fahrenheit actually around 37 to 40 degrees. There is water right next to this in a plastic bucket that does not freeze, and also standing water on the concrete etc... that will not freeze. The only things around that get frost or frozen is the water in the tarp, the top of my car, shingles on the roof and the grass. So why will the water in the canvas tarp freezes above 32 degrees but the water in the plastic wont. I don't understand this. thanks for any answers. The air is usually very still on these nights and the skies are cleara and crisp, this is at sea level I live right on the coast, (Santa Monica, CA ). Does the material that the air come into contact with help to lower the temp a bit just above the specific materials(canvas, grass, etc...)?

What you describe is very common when - as you say - the sky is clear at night and there is no wind.

During the night, the heat of any object directed toward the sky, will be lost by radiation. Yes, electromagnetic energy from your tarpaulin is moving away at the speed of light into space! And so is it for everything else that is under open sky.

There is actually no limit to how cold it can get. Meanwhile, the air around it is a very good insulator and doesn't cool down that fast; hence you can see frost on the bonnet of your car even if the air temperature is above freezing point.

That lost of heat energy during the night is the reason you often see morning fog. The air is much colder near the ground than above and that creates an inversion; the air doesn't rise as during daytime and the moisture near the ground condenses into tiny water droplets.

The reason you bucket of water doesn't freeze is that, while the surface looses heat, it sinks at the bottom when it reaches 39 F, which is the temperature at which water is the densest and heaviest. In the process, new and warmer water is then coming on the top of the bucket.

2008-12-28 22:18:11 by uh1cobra

There's nothing more enjoyable than spending time on the water. That's why we made it easier than ever to care for your Sunbrella fabrics.

http://capefearsailingacademy.com/yahoo_ site_admin/assets/images/Copy_of_P806034 1.11383240_std.JPG

If you don't know what I'm talking about click the link and on the picture I'm referring to the top beige/khaki colored top part of the boat that you can zip and unzip to open the "windows". What is the name of this part of the boat?

The top part of the enclosure is called a bimini top if it is made of canvas. If it is fiberglass or other stiff material it is called a hardtop. If it has a soft enclosure made of what is called eisenglass then it is a bridge enclosure. It would only be a cockpit enclosure if it covers the cockpit of the boat.

2008-08-14 05:17:02 by cheeser341

Price: $44.95 $49.99

The top on my pontoon boat has a canvas top that has mold and mildew stains on it. I was going to carry it to a laundry mat to see if I could wash it in something but not damage the color ( yellow ) or the stitching in it. Any help would be appreciated .

Yeah, Johnny, I understand the key thing that kills mold is bleach. That is indicated in this handyman article on how to get rid of mold that appears on a brick wall, so I'm thinking it might have some relevance to your situation as far as bleach is concerned:

http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyma n_Zone_How_To_Pages_Home_Improvement_Zon e_Walls_All_Types_Exterior_Walls_Brick_M asonry_Walls_Mold_Discoloring_Brick_Wall .htm

Hope you find this article useful.Your should get some professional help.



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2010-05-16 20:08:59 by Johnny

Price: $40.00 $40.00

it's for the convertible top of my boat.

1 cup bleach to 1 gal water.
Spray on, leave on 3-4 minutes. Rinse. Repeat if necessary.
Rinse thoroughly.

2006-08-15 01:19:25 by michael c

My boat vinyl seating has been stained from the red canvas top. I now have pink blotches on my vinyl seats where the covers stretch over the tops of the vinyl. I don't want to hurt the vinyl but would like to remove the stains.

I just cleaned my boat about a week ago.

Get the magic erasers extra strength, it's like your just wiping it up.

2009-08-10 09:28:25 by Craig