Originally used in the automotive trade, hooding cloth has been used for cratch covers for many years. An internal cotton lining absorbs moisture while an initial small shrink factor after fitting gives a smooth, taught finish. The only application we will use hooding cloth for is cratch covers - it does not last well if used for canopies or cruiser style narrowboat sterns.
For a hooding cloth to last well reinforcing in key areas is required and we also overbind vulnerable edges. The cotton lining will discolour and ‘spot’ over time and will require a light scrub occasionally. We only recommend hooding cloth for cratch covers and then with only one zip per side - the access opening being made by unhooking elastic fastenings on cabin side. This style means that there is no need for fixings below the gunnel other than one at the bottom of the zip - a major plus if you have a boat that has the fixings knocked of.
We only stock Black hooding cloth.
Price Guide; Due to the extra time and work required a 4 foot cratch in hooding cloth will cost £410.00
We will be on our moorings at Pickering's Bridge on the Bridgewater Canal until spring 09 when we intend to repeat our attempt to get to Ireland for a couple of seasons of serious cruising. Having realised this year that woodwork and cruising are not compatible, we will be ceasing to make cratchboards when we leave our mooring so, if you wanted a cratch and board combination, then this will be the last winter to order one.We are currently working on a lead time of 4 -6 weeks.
Fabrics/Fixings 
Originally used in the automotive trade, hooding cloth has been used for cratch covers for many years. An internal cotton lining absorbs moisture while an initial small shrink factor after fitting gives a smooth, taught finish. The only application we will use hooding cloth for is cratch covers - it does not last well if used for canopies or cruiser style narrowboat sterns.