Top Gun vs Sunbrella Boat Cover Materials: Why Top Gun May Be the Superior Choice

Protecting your beloved boat is a big deal, and picking the right boat cover isn't just a quick decision – it's really an investment in keeping your boat looking great, lasting longer, and giving you that wonderful peace of mind. Your boat truly deserves the best defence against whatever Mother Nature throws its way.

In the world of marine materials, there are two popular choices: Top Gun and Sunbrella. Both are fantastic materials, no doubt about it! But we made a choice, and we've stuck with Top Gun ever since. Want to know why? Let us fill you in!

What is Top Gun?

Top Gun is an acrylic-coated, 100% woven polyester material designed specifically for high strength and durability. It outperforms Sunbrella in certain functional aspects important for boat cover longevity and rugged use, and is especially fitting for the Alberta dry air due to its low breathability.

Characteristics

• Superior Durability: Top Gun is known for exceptional resistance to tearing, abrasion, and puncture. Its tough acrylic coating stands up to frequent use, trailering, and harsh conditions better than most alternatives. The fabric retains its shape, resisting both stretching and shrinking over time — even after years of exposure.

• Water Repellency: Thanks to its acrylic coating on both sides, Top Gun provides extremely high water repellency, which is crucial for keeping interiors dry during rain or boat washing. This also helps protect against mildew and rot, reducing long-term maintenance.

• Dimensional and Color Stability: The proprietary coating prevents the fabric from hardening, cracking, or peeling, even in the coldest winters or hottest summers, making it suitable for the widest range of outdoor temperatures.

• Long-Term Cost Efficiency: Unlike some fabrics that require annual re-treatment to maintain water resistance and colour quality (like Sunbrella), Top Gun typically does not need frequent re-coating, lowering maintenance efforts and costs over time.

• Strength for Trailering: For those who trailer their boats long distances, Top Gun’s strength and resistance to wind abrasion mean the cover stays intact and functional for many seasons, often outlasting lighter, more flexible fabrics.

  
  

What is Sunbrella?

Sunbrella material, crafted from 100% solution-dyed acrylic, stands out for its breathability and colorfastness. These qualities make it a popular for numerous outdoor and marine applications. However, a significant drawback is its vulnerability: even a minor tear can render it unusable, and its inability to retain shape after a few years make it a poor choice for boats.

Characteristics

• Less Waterproofing: Relies on breathability rather than a true waterproof barrier. While it repels rain, it's not truly impermeable like Top Gun's coated surface, potentially allowing moisture through in persistent downpours or standing water.

• Lighter: While boat covers can be cumbersome, this option offers a more manageable feel, making it easy to handle, fold, and store.

• Potential for Trapped Moisture if Ventilation is Poor: Despite being breathable, if the cover design lacks adequate vents, moisture can still become an issue.

• Brand Awareness: Sunbrella is a highly recognized brand in outdoor fabrics, synonymous with quality, durability, and style.

• Versatility: Beyond boat covers, Sunbrella fabric is widely used for various applications, including outdoor furniture cushions, awnings, umbrellas, etc.

Sunbrella (grey fabric) is prone to damage, a common occurrence when it serves as a boat cover. In Sunbrella, a tear will "run" further along the fabric's fiber structure, unlike in Top Gun. You can see similarly-sized holes in the photo, but very different results.

Comparative Table: Key Attributes of Top Gun vs. Sunbrella

Attribute	Top Gun	Sunbrella
Material Composition	Acrylic coated, 100% woven polyester	100% solution-dyed acrylic
Durability	10 years, exceptional tear & abrasion resistance	Up to 10 years, strong but prone to tearing at seams and losing its shape
UV Resistance	High, acrylic coating protects against UV	High, colour embedded in fibres
Water Resistance	Highly water repellent, less breathable	Water-resistant and breathable
Mildew Resistance	Resistant, requires periodic cleaning	Highly resistant, tight fiber construction
Colourfastness	Good, but coating may fade over time	Good, about the same
Maintenance	Easy to clean, low maintenance	Requires more maintenance, re-treatment needed
Cost	Similar	Similar
Ease of Installation	Easier for trailering, less shrinking	May require backing, more prone to stretching
Breathability	Lower due to acrylic coating (a good thing in Albertan climate)	Higher, designed for air circulation

The cut of the Sunbrella (fraying) and the Top Gun (smooth).

Conclusion

We recommend Top Gun material because it's built to handle anything, even Alberta's tough weather. It's incredibly durable, resists tearing, and repels water – perfect for things like boat and trailer covers. We love that it's made from a strong acrylic-coated polyester that won't stretch or wear down easily. When we need something that's truly robust and long-lasting, Top Gun is always our top choice.

While Sunbrella, with its solution-dyed acrylic, excels in UV resistance and colorfastness for aesthetic applications (we ourselves use it in some cases, for example, in Bimini Covers), Top Gun reigns supreme for those who demand maximum strength and longevity in the face of harsh marine conditions. You can pay for the brand, but we focus on the result.