I need a tip…265x enclosure

[Diad]

So the guy I bought the 2003 265 from gave me the rear enclosure that has never been installed. Still in the original “bag” that it came in. I’m the first one who has tried to install it after 21 years. Anyway, I think it shrunk! I have a 3” gap between any place that would be the final zipper if that makes sense. At the top of each piece they are in the channel so I’m at a loss. I’m hoping that the sun will help it be more pliable. Any tips or tricks that I am missing?

 

[Sea Shift]

Maybe thats why it wasnt installed?

 

[SkunkBoat]

Unsnap all of the lower snaps all the way around. Try to get it to zip working both sides. Then move the lower snaps to match.

If that don't work, get a 3" zipper extension made.


Do the short back pieces line up with the snaps on the livewell and sink?
If they look right, the middle back piece is short/shrunk.

The rest of the enclosure is not original. Looks way too good. If they ordered it without remaking the back, it probably wasn't given the right consideration when measuring and they screwed it...

 

[DennisG01]

Yup, it won't shrink anywhere near that. I suspect Skunk's last response is the answer.

Either... get one of the back pieces re-made or get an extension made.

 

[Hookup1]

I doubt it's "shrunk". It's just may be the top is not stretched out enough to bring the zipper together. Do as SkunkBoat said - unsnap everything below, start the zippers and pull down about 3". I would lube the zippers first and lube the kedder in the awning track a little. Make sure it moves freely. . Do on a warm sunny day. You should be to pull it together at the top first, put some snaps on and pull the zippers down.

 

[Family Tradition]

So it looks like the port rear side corner has a small piece of channel that's separate. If that's the case you could pull that from the channel and it would connect at an angle with the rear piece. Mine are set up similarly on my Marlin.

 

[glacierbaze]

He says 'enclosure' in the title, and then refers to 'rear enclosure'. From the looks of it, the whole thing is un-used. He never mentioned snaps, so my question would be, starting in the middle of the windshield, how far around do the snaps line up, or does each one have to be incrementally stretched? If thats the case, it may come together once all those wrinkles work out of the vinyl.