General fabric information
We as boat cover experts have seen a lot of different fabrics and materials that are used to produce boat covers. We have seen the bad, the ugly, and some good ones. But overall the quality of the material that is used for boat cover production is actually really bad.
Please have a look around at your local sailing club, you probably see a lot of destroyed covers. Some simply due to their age and other, -perhaps- due to their not caring owner.
The most important thing that you need to know when you buy a new cover; is the material UV proof? Please ask the reseller for a spec sheet of the material they use. Sometimes they are just trading in covers and they don't have any clue what you are talking about, if so, better run to a better or a specialized producer like Topdekzeilen.
After years of research, testing and with our experience we have come to 2 materials, Bisonyl and Bluetex. Bisonyl is a perfect material for the basic sailor. It is very strong, long-lasting, UV-proof and does not require any care during the off-season, further more Bisonyl has a very attractive price point. Bluetex is a perfect material for the more demanding sailor, the main advantage over the Bisonyl material is that it has breathability characteristics so that water vapor can exit through your cover, but rain cannot enter your boat. And last, but not least, Bluetex is awesome looking and a woven canvas.
Please see on the right the various characteristics of our materials summarized:
Bisonyl
Color: dark marine blue
Weight: 420 gm / m2
Color fastness to light (ISO 105-B02:2014): 7/8
Solar UV protective properties (BS EN 13758-A1:2006): >50
Watercolum (ISO 811-1981): 400 cm
Air permeability (ISO 9237-1995): 0
Bluetex
Color: navy blue
Weight: 375 gm / m2
Color fastness to light (ISO 105-B02:2014): 8/8
Solar UV protective properties (BS EN 13758-A1:2006): >50
Watercolum (ISO 811-1981): 100 cm
Air permeability (ISO 9237-1995): 3