Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Make a high-quality aft enclosure curtain for your powerboat or sailboat in this comprehensive step-by-step tutorial. We demonstrate the entire process of creating a custom aft enclosure curtain panel that zips onto the hang-down tail of your bimini top.
We recommend fabricating the side curtain enclosure panels before patterning the aft curtain. This allows for the addition of a slight hollow along the sides (vertical zippers) when patterning.
Patterning for Zippers at Top Edge – 1:10
Patterning for Side Zippers and Bottom – 4:56
Trimming Pattern – 11:35
Marking Clear Vinyl Window – 12:59
Scoring & Trimming Window – 15:16
Marking Window for Inside Border Edge – 17:45
Creating Border Strips (Vertical Edges) – 21:39
Basting & Sewing Border on Window – 27:01
Marking Bottom Border on Pattern for Door – 30:07
Making Border for Top Edge – 31:09
Basting Top Border on Window – 35:33
Sewing Top Border on Window – 38:15
Making Border for Bottom Edge – 40:15
Basting & Sewing Bottom Border – 49:50
Sewing Zippers at Top – 52:50
Sewing Zippers at Port & Starboard Sides – 54:53
Door Zipper Placement & Fasteners – 55:37
Creating Removable Roll-Up Straps – 59:56
Creating a Lower Snap on Door Panel – 1:04:49
Cleaning Clear Vinyl Windows – 1:12:53
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Dura-Skrim - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Seamstick 3/8"- sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-for-Canvas-60-Yds
#10 Separating Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-10-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Single-Pull-Slider
Seamstick 1/4" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
Thread - sailrite.com/search.php?query=tex+90+polyester+bound
Strataglass - sailrite.com/Strataglass-30-Gauge-Vinyl-54-x-110
Chalk Pencil - sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics
Sattler 60" Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_brand=Sattler&facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Marine
Shelter-Rite - sailrite.com/shop/fabric?facet_popular_collection=Shelter-Rite
Twist-Lock Eyelet - sailrite.com/DOT-Twist-Lock-Fastener-Standard-Legs-Eyelet-Black-Finish-Brass
Twist-Lock Washer - sailrite.com/DOT-Common-Sense-Washer
Snap Stud - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Snap-Fastener-Standard-Cloth-to-Cloth-Stud-Nickel-Plated-Brass
Snap Eyelet - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Snap-Fastener-Eyelet-1-4-Nickel-Plated-Brass
Binding - sailrite.com/search.php?query=sattler+binding
Snap Button - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Socket - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Hook - sailrite.com/Velcro-Polyester-Black-Hook-2
Loop - sailrite.com/Velcro-Polyester-Black-Loop-2
TOOLS LIST:
T Pins - sailrite.com/T-Pins-2-Long-Box-of-364
Filament Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
Fabricator - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Deluxe-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-Package
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Sewing Ruler - sailrite.com/Sewing-Gauge-Ruler-6
Scribe-All® - sailrite.com/Scribe-All-Water-Soluble-Marking-Pencil-White
Clear Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Utility Knife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Folding-Utility-Knife-with-Belt-Latch
Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Weight - sailrite.com/Leather-Weight-2lbs-Brass
Hotknife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Cordless-Hotknife-18V-Package
HandyPress - sailrite.com/Sailrite-HandyPress
Twist-Lock Cutter - sailrite.com/HandyPress-Twist-Lock-Eyelet-Hole-Cutter
Twist-Lock Leg Die - sailrite.com/HandyPress-Twist-Lock-Eyelet-Leg-Folding-Die-Set
Pres-N-Snap - sailrite.com/Pres-N-Snap-Fastener-Tool
Easy Fit - sailrite.com/Quick-Fit-Pin-Socket-Snap-Positioning-System
Adhesive Remover - sailrite.com/3M-Specialty-Adhesive-Cleaner-32oz-Quart Strataglass Cleaner - sailrite.com/Imar-Strataglass-Protective-Cleaner
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST
(Approximately 30-foot Boat with: 3 - Front, 4 - Side, 1 - Aft Curtain):
Awning Rope (if used) – 15 to 25 feet
Filament Tape 3/4" – 1 roll
Seamstick 3/8" – 2 rolls
Dura-Skrim – 10 to 15 yards
Sattler or Sunbrella 60” – 8 to 10 yards
Shelter-Rite or Stamoid Top Fabric – 8 to 10 yards
Binding Tape 1” – 50 to 100 feet
Strataglass™ 30 – 3 to 4 sheets
Bound™ Tex 90 Thread 1 oz. – 2 cones
#10 Separating Molded Tooth Zippers – 15 to 25 each
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" – 2 rolls
Snapcap Top Stops #10 – 30 to 50 each
Fasteners – 10 to 50 each
Hook & Loop – 10 feet
Make a high-quality aft enclosure curtain for your powerboat or sailboat in this comprehensive step-by-step tutorial. We demonstrate the entire process of creating a custom aft enclosure curtain panel that zips onto the hang-down tail of your bimini top.
We recommend fabricating the side curtain enclosure panels before patterning the aft curtain. This allows for the addition of a slight hollow along the sides (vertical zippers) when patterning.
Patterning for Zippers at Top Edge – 1:10
Patterning for Side Zippers and Bottom – 4:56
Trimming Pattern – 11:35
Marking Clear Vinyl Window – 12:59
Scoring & Trimming Window – 15:16
Marking Window for Inside Border Edge – 17:45
Creating Border Strips (Vertical Edges) – 21:39
Basting & Sewing Border on Window – 27:01
Marking Bottom Border on Pattern for Door – 30:07
Making Border for Top Edge – 31:09
Basting Top Border on Window – 35:33
Sewing Top Border on Window – 38:15
Making Border for Bottom Edge – 40:15
Basting & Sewing Bottom Border – 49:50
Sewing Zippers at Top – 52:50
Sewing Zippers at Port & Starboard Sides – 54:53
Door Zipper Placement & Fasteners – 55:37
Creating Removable Roll-Up Straps – 59:56
Creating a Lower Snap on Door Panel – 1:04:49
Cleaning Clear Vinyl Windows – 1:12:53
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAbM539i4biUDbQ9BaG38tOgrVeEv7BRH&si=tECE7HaYS9cCkc4V
MATERIALS LIST:
Dura-Skrim - sailrite.com/Dura-Skrim-2-Patterning-Material-74
Seamstick 3/8"- sailrite.com/Seamstick-3-8-for-Canvas-60-Yds
#10 Separating Zipper - sailrite.com/Lenzip-10-Black-Separating-Molded-Tooth-Zipper-Metal-Single-Pull-Slider
Seamstick 1/4" - sailrite.com/Seamstick-1-4-Basting-Tape-for-Canvas-50-Yds
Thread - sailrite.com/search.php?query=tex+90+polyester+bound
Strataglass - sailrite.com/Strataglass-30-Gauge-Vinyl-54-x-110
Chalk Pencil - sailrite.com/Marking-Chalk-Cartridge-for-Fabrics
Sattler 60" Fabric - sailrite.com/shop/fabric/marine-fabric?facet_brand=Sattler&facet_popular_collection=Sattler+Marine
Shelter-Rite - sailrite.com/shop/fabric?facet_popular_collection=Shelter-Rite
Twist-Lock Eyelet - sailrite.com/DOT-Twist-Lock-Fastener-Standard-Legs-Eyelet-Black-Finish-Brass
Twist-Lock Washer - sailrite.com/DOT-Common-Sense-Washer
Snap Stud - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Snap-Fastener-Standard-Cloth-to-Cloth-Stud-Nickel-Plated-Brass
Snap Eyelet - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Snap-Fastener-Eyelet-1-4-Nickel-Plated-Brass
Binding - sailrite.com/search.php?query=sattler+binding
Snap Button - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Button-Black-11-64-Barrel-Brass
Snap Socket - sailrite.com/DOT-Snap-Fastener-Normal-Action-Socket-Black-Brass
Hook - sailrite.com/Velcro-Polyester-Black-Hook-2
Loop - sailrite.com/Velcro-Polyester-Black-Loop-2
TOOLS LIST:
T Pins - sailrite.com/T-Pins-2-Long-Box-of-364
Filament Tape - sailrite.com/3M-Filament-Strapping-Tape-3-4
Fabricator - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Deluxe-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-Package
Scissors - sailrite.com/Stainless-Steel-9-Bent-Handle-Scissors
Sewing Ruler - sailrite.com/Sewing-Gauge-Ruler-6
Scribe-All® - sailrite.com/Scribe-All-Water-Soluble-Marking-Pencil-White
Clear Ruler - sailrite.com/Clear-Acrylic-Ruler-6-x-24
Utility Knife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Folding-Utility-Knife-with-Belt-Latch
Patterning Ruler - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Canvas-Patterning-Ruler
Awl - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Scratch-Awl
Seam Ripper - sailrite.com/Seam-Ripper-Deluxe
Weight - sailrite.com/Leather-Weight-2lbs-Brass
Hotknife - sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Cordless-Hotknife-18V-Package
HandyPress - sailrite.com/Sailrite-HandyPress
Twist-Lock Cutter - sailrite.com/HandyPress-Twist-Lock-Eyelet-Hole-Cutter
Twist-Lock Leg Die - sailrite.com/HandyPress-Twist-Lock-Eyelet-Leg-Folding-Die-Set
Pres-N-Snap - sailrite.com/Pres-N-Snap-Fastener-Tool
Easy Fit - sailrite.com/Quick-Fit-Pin-Socket-Snap-Positioning-System
Adhesive Remover - sailrite.com/3M-Specialty-Adhesive-Cleaner-32oz-Quart Strataglass Cleaner - sailrite.com/Imar-Strataglass-Protective-Cleaner
GENERAL MATERIALS QUANTITY LIST
(Approximately 30-foot Boat with: 3 - Front, 4 - Side, 1 - Aft Curtain):
Awning Rope (if used) – 15 to 25 feet
Filament Tape 3/4" – 1 roll
Seamstick 3/8" – 2 rolls
Dura-Skrim – 10 to 15 yards
Sattler or Sunbrella 60” – 8 to 10 yards
Shelter-Rite or Stamoid Top Fabric – 8 to 10 yards
Binding Tape 1” – 50 to 100 feet
Strataglass™ 30 – 3 to 4 sheets
Bound™ Tex 90 Thread 1 oz. – 2 cones
#10 Separating Molded Tooth Zippers – 15 to 25 each
SewReady™ Seamstick 1/4" – 2 rolls
Snapcap Top Stops #10 – 30 to 50 each
Fasteners – 10 to 50 each
Hook & Loop – 10 feet
