How to Bend & Install Flex-a-Rail Awning Track

Brian installing Flex-a-Rail Awning Track to the radar arch of our powerboat

Awning track is a great way to attach fabric to a hard surface on your boat. It can be used for adding enclosure curtains to hardtop biminis, attaching the front of dodgers or for hanging awnings. Many of these applications require the awning track to be able to bend and curve. Today, we’re going to show you how to bend awning track for your application and how to install it.

For our powerboat, we needed to add awning track to the aft side of the radar arch to attach the enclosure’s aft curtain. We decided to use awning track as opposed to snaps, because the track gives a smooth, finished look and is watertight.

We used Flex-a-Rail awning track for this application. Since this awning track is already created to take a slight bend, it makes it easier to create a sharper curve with it as well. As you’ll see in the video, we used a heat gun to make the awning track extra flexible so we can bend it into our desired shape. Be sure you’re ready to act quickly when the awning track is heated, because it will harden again as it cools.

Heating the Flex-a-Rail to create a bend

For the full list of materials and the full tutorial video, visit Sailrite.com.

Have you used awning track on your boat? Share your experiences with us in the comments!

How to Bend Awning Track

Have you ever thought of using awning track on your boat? This tough track is used to attach fabric to a hard surface and can be used to secure covers, awnings, enclosure panels and even the front of dodgers. Awning track creates a snug and secure attachment, with a sleeker look than snaps. Several of these common uses require the awning track to have a bit of a bend, and some awning tracks will accommodate that better than others. Let’s take a look at the most bendable awning track, some tricks of the trade and how to make awning track work for your boat.

PVC awning track end (left) and with slits cut in flange (right)

The traditional and most common type of awning track features a groove for the awning rope to feed into with a flange for securing to the hard surface. This type of track is available in aluminum or PVC. The traditional style of awning track has very little give, since it was not designed to bend. You can secure it around a gradual curve by cutting slits in the flange. Using a hacksaw carefully saw slits in the flange of the awning track. If you want to bend the track away from the flange, slits are fine. To bend the track towards the flange, cut in a V-shape.

For a more versatile curving awning track, try Flex-a-Rail. This track was made specifically to bend and can curve in any direction. It will even turn a corner with a radius as small as 10 inches. If the Flex-a-Rail seems stiff at first and you need it to curve more, boil a pot of water and hold the track in the steam coming off the water. You can also use a hairdryer or other hot air blower to heat Flex-a-Rail and traditional PVC track to increase the curve. The heat will loosen up the plastic and give you more flexibility. However, once the track cools, it will harden in the shape you’ve bent it in. So be sure you have it shaped just right!

Flex-a-Rail Track

Since the Flex-a-Rail doesn’t have a flange, it is secured to hard surfaces with special screws that install in the groove of the track but sit under the rope. To install, bend the track in place where you want it, and drill a pilot hole through the track and into the installation surface. Then use a square-headed screwdriver to drive the screws into the surface.

You can find both of these types of awning track, awning rope, and great marine fabrics at www.sailrite.com.

Do you use awning track on your boat? Are you thinking of using it? Share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments!