During the week, we had been closely monitoring the weather warnings: heavy rain, strong winds, and snow were on their way to the Gothenburg archipelago. Late in the evening, at 7:30 p.m., we saw the owner's Polar 22 Snipa lying completely unprotected in the water at Marstrandsön—without a functioning canopy, even though the boat is out all year round. The owner had already ordered a new premium canopy from us, but the old chapel was in such poor condition that it could no longer withstand rain, wind, or moisture.
The old canopy was heavily soiled, the impregnation had completely worn off, the threads had been broken down by UV light, and the fabric had lost all its strength. But since the owner needed a working canopy that very night, we came up with an economical and smart solution:
1. We used the old canopy as a template to sew the new premium canopy that will be delivered later.
2. After finishing the molding, we sewed the old chapel back together again.
3. We carried out a complete chapel wash and professional impregnation to restore its protective function.
4. We rushed straight to the boat mooring and urgently assembled the canopy on site at 7:30 p.m.
The result: The customer now receives
– a newly ordered premium canopy with extra-long service life for the summer season, and
– a freshly washed and re-impregnated winter cover that can withstand snow, cold, wind, and west coast weather today.
This is not only a cost-effective solution—it also prevents unnecessary wear and tear on the new canopy during the winter. This saves the customer money, extends the overall service life, and provides two canopies that each serve different purposes.
Before and after – this is what Polar 22 Snipan looked like before the hull was cleaned and after the rescue.
Before the chapel wash – dirty, dry, and exposed chapel
The old chapel showed clear signs of:
Deep-seated dirt
UV-sensitive threads and seams
Matt windows
Risk of leakage and mold growth
The boat was in the water year-round, completely unprotected, which made the situation urgent.
After our treatment, the chapel received:
Deep chemical cleaning
Full marine impregnation
Stabilized seams and reinforcement where the fabric was weak
Significantly improved water repellency
Longer service life as a winter shelter
Even though the customer had ordered a new canopy, the washed canopy provided very reliable protection over the winter.
Emergency evening assembly – we were called out at 7:30 p.m.
We respond to emergencies when the weather permits and when we know that a storm is approaching. We never install covers in the middle of rain or snowfall, as this risks damaging both the cover and the fit – but if there is a break in the weather and a storm is approaching, we can quickly be on site and secure the boat before the weather hits. This type of customized and rapid response is appreciated by customers who have boats moored outdoors year-round and need security in the event of sudden weather changes.
When we are on site in the workshop and there is an emergency, we provide immediate assistance.
We respond to emergencies when the weather permits and when we know that a storm is approaching. We never install covers in the middle of rain or snowfall, as this risks damaging both the cover and the fit – but if there is a break in the weather and a storm is approaching, we can quickly be on site and secure the boat before the weather hits. This type of customized and rapid response is appreciated by customers who have boats moored outdoors year-round and need security in the event of sudden weather changes.
Why professional chapel cleaning is crucial – especially for older chapels
Wash and impregnate the hull is one of the most underestimated aspects of boat maintenance.
A canopy that is not washed and impregnated:
Allows water to pass through
Dries out and cracks
Becomes heavy with dirt and mold
Losing form and function
Dramatically shortens lifespan
Professional treatment provides:
Deep cleaning all the way into the fibers
Improved water repellency
UV protection
Prevents mold and algae growth
Longer service life and improved aesthetics
It is also a financially smart choice when you have already ordered a new canopy – this way, you avoid wearing out the new one during the winter.
How we cleaned the chapel and saved it – step by step
1. The chapel was dismantled and transported to the workshop.
We removed the chapel and brought it in for assessment.
2. The chapel was dismantled for molding for the new chapel.
The customer had ordered a new canopy, so:
We separated the seams
We took out tarpaulins as templates
We cut panels and windows
We documented all measurements
This provided the perfect foundation for the new premium chapel.
3. Reassembly of the old chapel prior to washing
After working on the template, we sewed the canopy back together.
4. Chapel cleaning – chemical and mechanical cleaning
We used marine-grade cleaning products designed for:
Acrylic windows
Marine fabric
UV-sensitive fibers
Dirt that had built up over many years was completely removed.
5. Impregnation – restoring the protective properties of the canopy
The impregnation restored:
Water repellency
Resistance to dirt and mold
Protection against winter moisture
Fabric strength
6. Emergency assembly at 7:30 p.m. – before the storm hit
When the forecast showed rain, we couldn't wait.
We never do assembly work under rain, but:
When there is a break in the weather and a storm is on its way
When we have the chapel ready in the workshop
When the boat is at risk of damage
Then we'll go out immediately and install it.
The customer had the canopy installed that same evening – providing reliable protection before storms, rain, and wind hit the area.
Chapel cleaning for Gothenburg, Kungälv, Marstrand – and all of Sweden
We offer chapel cleaning services throughout the region:
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Kungälv
- Marstrand
- Stenungsund
- Tjörn
- Orust
- Uddevalla
- The whole of Västra Götaland
But we also work with the whole of Sweden:
We will return it cleaned and impregnated.
Perfect for customers who don't live nearby
Our washing method works for all types of awnings, regardless of age and condition.
Order canopy cleaning or a new canopy – we will assist you every step of the way
Marstrands Marintextil is a family business with over 30 years of experience in boat covers, sprayhoods, and marine textiles. We manufacture new covers from scratch, repair older covers, and offer a full range of cover services—from zippers and window replacements to cover washing and impregnation.
With our own workshop in Marstrand, we serve customers throughout the Gothenburg region and the rest of Sweden.
We offer:
- Custom-made boat covers, sprayhoods, stern covers, and harbor covers - Made with premium marine fabric, UV-resistant threads, and YKK zippers for maximum durability.
- Repair of canopies - Replacement of zippers, windows, seams, reinforcements, and other important parts that extend the life of the canopy.
- Chapel washing, impregnation, and UV protection - Professional cleaning and treatment that restores water repellency, protects against mold, and extends the life of the fabric.
- Installation and adjustment of new canopies directly at the port - Perfect fit on site – we ensure that everything is in place from day one.
- Custom-made covers and weather protection - For decks, flybridges, cockpits, and other exposed parts of the boat.
We always work with marine fabric of the highest quality, UV-resistant threads, and materials developed to withstand many years of use in the Nordic climate.
Contact us for chapel cleaning in Gothenburg and throughout Sweden
Telephone: 0303 - 609 55
E-mail: info@marintextil.com
Website: https://marintextil.com
