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Industry News
Safety Components adds new distributors for WeatherMAX
May 17, 2018
Safety Components, manufacturer of WeatherMAX and other high-performance outdoor technical fabrics, has added four distributors for its newest product, WeatherMAX 3D: J. Ennis Fabrics, Keyston Bros., Performance Textiles and The Miami Corporation. This provides availability for the innovative textile throughout the U.S. and Canada. Made in the USA, WeatherMAX 3D stretches up to 20 percent …
Industry News
Correct Craft CEO named to advisory committee
May 15, 2018
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, announced the addition of Correct Craft President and CEO, Bill Yeargin, to the Department of Interior’s “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. The announcement was made during the recreational marine industry’s annual legislative conference, the American Boating Congress, in Washington, D.C. The committee advises the Secretary of …
Industry News
Canadian boat sales up in 2017
May 10, 2018
Total unit sales of new boats increased in Canada by 4.7 percent in 2017 according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada 2017 Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract – Economic Facts and Retail Markets (New Boats). The report contains a comprehensive collection of statistics on the Canadian recreational boating industry. Other highlights from the …
Industry News
The Cutting Room
May 9, 2018
June 12, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$79.00 for Nonmembers The presenters will cover four components used in a cutting room: digitizing, cutting, material handling and ROI. Learn what applications are best suited for full automation and how to implement them and increase your product volumes. Presenters Truy Pham Autometrix Inc. Truy “Tree” …
Industry News
Selling Quality Over Price
May 9, 2018
June 20, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$75.00 for Nonmembers Learn about increasing your bottom line and how to encourage your clients to upgrade to better quality materials. Find out how upselling reflects company image, leads to future referrals and produces long-lasting products. Presenter Dave Callahan Granite State Cover & Canvas Inc. After …
Industry News
IBEX location and dates confirmed through 2020
May 8, 2018
The International Boat Builders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), the marine industry’s largest technical trade event in North America, will continue to be located at the Tampa Convention Center for the next three years. The show is scheduled to take place October 2-4, 2018, October 1-3, 2019 and September 29-October 1, 2020. For more information, visit …
Industry News
IFAI’S Student Design Competition: Deadline is May 15, 2018
May 4, 2018
Each year, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) sponsors a Student Design Competition for students enrolled in a post-secondary college or university program studying textiles, apparel, engineering or design. The annual competition offers students a valuable opportunity to build their portfolios and advance their career opportunities—and first-place winners also receive a $6,000+ Prize Pack with …
Industry News
New powerboat registrations up
May 3, 2018
New powerboat registrations were up 4 percent through February 2018 according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) New Powerboat Registrations Report. Highlights from the report include: • Registrations of larger boats 27 feet and greater were up 11.1 percent on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis. Of those, growth was led by saltwater fishing boats, …
Industry News
2017 sailboat sales down
May 1, 2018
Sailboat sales were down 11 percent from 2016, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2017 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract. The report shows declines across all sailboat categories except the 36 foot and larger segment, which was up 14.4 percent. Imports of sailboats into the U.S. were up 3.2 percent while exports rebounded …
Premier Product Showcase
2018 Premier Product Showcase
May 1, 2018
High-quality products help you create durable, attractive and successful projects. For this feature, we asked our contributors to send us information about their high-performing products. The product information was submitted by the participating manufacturers and suppliers by the established deadline. The products are organized into four categories: Equipment and Tools; Fabric, Film and Foam; Hardware …
Sponsored Content
Supplier Spotlights
Sponsored Content
Next-Generation Marine Fabric Available Exclusively from Trivantage®
Feature
Liz Diaz creates marine interiors and homeless shelters
May 1, 2018
Liz Diaz designs inspired boat interiors—and is applying that expertise to bring shelter to the homeless. Having a really good life is not financially driven. It’s inspiration driven,” says Liz Diaz, MFC, owner of North Beach Marine Canvas in San Francisco, Calif. “Working on and around the water is a singularly lovely employment. I am …
Feature
Members only content
Diversifying beyond marine
May 1, 2018
There’s value in diversifying beyond boats for marine fabricators, like steadier work and income flow, but the move may not be smooth sailing for every business; careful evaluation is critical to avoid sinking. Business owners are often given conflicting advice. On the one hand, they are cautioned about the dangers of “putting all your eggs …
Feature
Members only content
Makerspaces offer work-based learning for students
April 10, 2018
The CCC Maker Initiative, administered by Sierra College (www.sierracollege.edu) in Rocklin, California, is offering internships and work-based learning experiences for students through 24 California Community College makerspaces, where students gain technical, entrepreneurial and work-ready skills sought by employers. California Community Colleges participating in the CCC Maker (cccmaker.com) initiative to build makerspace communities are preparing students …
Feature
On the horizon for marine tension shades
March 13, 2018
Canvas shops around the country have seen an increase in demand for tension shades versus fixed-frame structures such as biminis. Boat owners like sun protection with less obstructive framing and the modern look of shade sails. Fabricators who have been installing tension shades are already looking at where the market is heading and where the …
Feature
Fasteners for marine tension shades
March 7, 2018
As more boat owners are having tension shades installed over decks for sun protection, marine fabricators have come up with various ways of attaching the fabric to poles. “The most common fastener is SnapFast® for hardtops,” says Tony Shaw, owner of Affordable Canvas LLC in Venice, Fla. “Sometimes we use keder track or webbing to …
Feature
Zipper tricks and techniques
March 1, 2018
Advanced tips and techniques for choosing and working with zippers in your projects. Providing an excellent end product is paramount to marine fabricators, and zippers play a vital role in the long-term functionality of everything from covers to cushions. But zippers can be tricky. Choosing the right one can be confusing, and working with zippers …
Feature
Marine tension shade options
March 1, 2018
Marine fabricators help boat owners expand shading options with stretched fabric. It could easily be argued that the pleasures of boating are best appreciated on a deck rather than in a cabin. But protection from sun exposure requires more than that provided by a wide-brimmed hat. With that kind of coverage in mind, boat owners …
Feature
2018 MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards
March 1, 2018
Sponsored by the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), the Fabrication Excellence Awards contest is designed to recognize excellence in marine fabrication. The entries are displayed throughout the MFA’s Marine Fabricators Conference and are judged by a panel of certified marine professionals. Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Awards are given in each category. The MFA recognizes …
Feature
Members only content
Saving the domestic industrial sewing work force
February 20, 2018
Reposted from insidefashiondesign.net Industrial sewing has reached a critical point. An aging workforce combined with a lack of incoming talent has created a worker shortage that threatens to shutter long-standing American businesses and stifle growth in a billion-dollar industry. We spoke with someone on the front lines of the battle to save industrial sewing—Magda Ronningen, National …
Feature
2018 MFA Time Standards Manual
January 1, 2018
The Time Standards Manual was developed in 1996 by the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International, to serve as a benchmark shop owners can use to set fabrication times, with which they can generate competitive labor costs. The manual is an ongoing project that will grow and change organically …
Sponsored Content
Supplier Spotlights
Sponsored Content
Next-Generation Marine Fabric Available Exclusively from Trivantage®
Industry News
Safety Components adds new distributors for WeatherMAX
May 17, 2018
Safety Components, manufacturer of WeatherMAX and other high-performance outdoor technical fabrics, has added four distributors for its newest product, WeatherMAX 3D: J. Ennis Fabrics, Keyston Bros., Performance Textiles and The Miami Corporation. This provides availability for the innovative textile throughout the U.S. and Canada. Made in the USA, WeatherMAX 3D stretches up to 20 percent …
Industry News
Correct Craft CEO named to advisory committee
May 15, 2018
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, announced the addition of Correct Craft President and CEO, Bill Yeargin, to the Department of Interior’s “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. The announcement was made during the recreational marine industry’s annual legislative conference, the American Boating Congress, in Washington, D.C. The committee advises the Secretary of …
Industry News
Canadian boat sales up in 2017
May 10, 2018
Total unit sales of new boats increased in Canada by 4.7 percent in 2017 according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada 2017 Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract – Economic Facts and Retail Markets (New Boats). The report contains a comprehensive collection of statistics on the Canadian recreational boating industry. Other highlights from the …
Industry News
The Cutting Room
May 9, 2018
June 12, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$79.00 for Nonmembers The presenters will cover four components used in a cutting room: digitizing, cutting, material handling and ROI. Learn what applications are best suited for full automation and how to implement them and increase your product volumes. Presenters Truy Pham Autometrix Inc. Truy “Tree” …
Industry News
Selling Quality Over Price
May 9, 2018
June 20, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$75.00 for Nonmembers Learn about increasing your bottom line and how to encourage your clients to upgrade to better quality materials. Find out how upselling reflects company image, leads to future referrals and produces long-lasting products. Presenter Dave Callahan Granite State Cover & Canvas Inc. After …
Industry News
IBEX location and dates confirmed through 2020
May 8, 2018
The International Boat Builders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), the marine industry’s largest technical trade event in North America, will continue to be located at the Tampa Convention Center for the next three years. The show is scheduled to take place October 2-4, 2018, October 1-3, 2019 and September 29-October 1, 2020. For more information, visit …
Industry News
IFAI’S Student Design Competition: Deadline is May 15, 2018
May 4, 2018
Each year, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) sponsors a Student Design Competition for students enrolled in a post-secondary college or university program studying textiles, apparel, engineering or design. The annual competition offers students a valuable opportunity to build their portfolios and advance their career opportunities—and first-place winners also receive a $6,000+ Prize Pack with …
Industry News
New powerboat registrations up
May 3, 2018
New powerboat registrations were up 4 percent through February 2018 according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) New Powerboat Registrations Report. Highlights from the report include: • Registrations of larger boats 27 feet and greater were up 11.1 percent on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis. Of those, growth was led by saltwater fishing boats, …
Industry News
2017 sailboat sales down
May 1, 2018
Sailboat sales were down 11 percent from 2016, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2017 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract. The report shows declines across all sailboat categories except the 36 foot and larger segment, which was up 14.4 percent. Imports of sailboats into the U.S. were up 3.2 percent while exports rebounded …
Industry News
Small business tax prep costs still high
April 27, 2018
According to The National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) 2018 Small Business Taxation Survey, 63 percent of the 953 small businesses participating in the survey report spending more than $1,000 annually on the administration of federal taxes. The 2018 NSBA survey also shows that one in three small businesses spend 40 hours each year preparing federal …
Sponsored Content
Supplier Spotlights
Sponsored Content
Next-Generation Marine Fabric Available Exclusively from Trivantage®
Products
New exterior roller shades color
March 15, 2018
Phifer Inc. has added a new color to its SunTex® 95 exterior sun control line. The new hue, Stucco, joins the current range of nine neutral color options in this fabric collection designed specifically for exterior roller shade applications. Made from vinyl-coated polyester, the line is thinner and lighter weight than traditional SunTex fabrics. Blocking …
Equipment
Lighter thread snips
March 1, 2018
The ECO thread nipper is a lighter weight thread snips from Kretzer that offers a new feel to snipping threads. Traditional thread snips require the user to pick up and adjust the grip, because the finger has to be placed in the ring before snipping. With these new snips, the user simply picks them up …
Hardware & Findings
New marine hardware options
March 1, 2018
Trivantage has added SolaMesh hardware to its shade sail and structure product offering. This new line of hardware complements SolaMesh fabric with a wide range of D-rings, shackles, stainless steel rope, rope connections and mounting options for all installations. SolaMesh hardware offers eye-on-eye, jaw-on-jaw and hook-on-hook turnbuckle options to suit a variety of preferences and …
Accessories
Rugged thread
March 1, 2018
Trivantage has introduced a new line of filament-bonded polyester sewing thread designed for vinyl, canvas and carpet applications. PremoBond features maximum durability, UV protection and colorfastness. With yarn that’s approximately 30 times stronger than the current industry standard, the thread is long-lasting, even in harsh weather conditions. PremoBond’s proprietary bonding blend and custom-formulated dyes ensure …
Fabric & Film
Tougher transparency
March 1, 2018
Robeco’s newest flexible transparent vinyl provides another film option for the marine and industrial fabrics industries. GlassClear® adds a scratch-resistant coating to both sides of its one ply 030 Clear Extruded Vinyl product. Supplied in roll form, this newest product option allows users to unroll only what they need for a specific job, This reduces …
Fabric & Film
Colorful window coverings
March 1, 2018
Phifer Inc. has added 16 new fabrics to its SheerWeave® Style 5000 line, expanding the current line of 36 patterns in its decorative window covering fabric collection. These additional patterns, previously available only through exclusive sourcing, are now in stock in a 98 inch width. The fabrics feature Microban® antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the …
Fabric & Film
Advanced awning fabric
March 1, 2018
Cooley Group has launched Weathertyte® PLUS, a premier product designed for use in commercial awning applications as well as marine and other markets. The product features the benefits of the original flagship Weathertyte® fabric, with a softer hand, superior strength, improved weldability and bolder image quality. It offers the high performance of vinyl with the …
Products
New compact fiber laser welding system
January 11, 2018
Amada Miyachi America has introduced the updated LMWS Pulsed Fiber Laser Welding System, a highly configurable, compact unit designed for lean manufacturing. The system features a versatile high-power, high-speed laser available in 20-70 Watt (W) powers for welding metals and plastics. The LMWS is ideal for welding dissimilar metals, including copper to aluminum, aluminum to …
Accessories
EVA foam cleaner
January 1, 2018
SC Wake’s Boat Juice is formulated for cleaning the surface dirt off ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA ) non-skid foam boat flooring. Available in a convenient 32 oz. spray bottle, the cleaner is easy to use and requires only soft scrubbing and a rinse. The product is nontoxic, colorfast and environmentally friendly and is safe on upholstery …
Fabric & Film
New flexible enclosure products
January 1, 2018
Covestro has launched two new flexible marine enclosure products—Makrolon® Marine 5 and Makrolon® VR. Both provide high optical clarity, low distortion and exceptional durability. Marine 5 is designed for the most demanding conditions. It provides the highest weathering performance and two-sided hard coat protection against abrasion, UV and chemicals. VR is an alternative to vinyl …
Sponsored Content
Supplier Spotlights
Sponsored Content
Next-Generation Marine Fabric Available Exclusively from Trivantage®
Interiors & Upholstery
Window Treatment Trends
July 1, 2017
Interest in window coverings for marine applications has experienced a rebirth of sorts and more consumers, fabricators and designers are using innovative window treatment designs. When Krisha Plauché, owner of Onboard Interiors in Marblehead, Mass., is fabricating drapery for a stateroom, she often uses blackout applications, but Plauché has found that lining drapery with a …
In the Shop
Members only content
Fresh updates for older vessels
January 1, 2017
Most interior fabrication projects occur on fixer-uppers. The vessel might be vintage or it might be less than ten years old. While I always welcome the challenge of doing a better design than the original, there is a fine line between aesthetics and practicality. After all, the boat needs to be both comfortable and secure …
How-To Articles
Members only content
Constructing snow flies for the Alaskan climate
January 1, 2017
Our winters in Fairbanks, Alaska, can be cold or very cold with lots of snow or little snow; it all depends. One condition we don’t see often is wind. In my 26 years of living here, I can remember only one time when the wind blew and the snow flew. Most of our snow falls …
How-To Articles
Meticulous prototyping leads to attractive cylinder cushions
September 1, 2016
Over the years I have been asked to fabricate several unusual items. I never know if that item will be a one-hit wonder or will become a customer favorite. In most cases, I create prototypes that help me creatively solve design challenges. I charge a prototype fee of a few hundred dollars to develop and …
How-To Articles
Marine fabricators meet customers’ window wish lists
August 1, 2016
When making boat windows for customers, marine fabricators often have a specific set of requirements of their materials. “Our fabricators require a sheet that is easy to handle, durable and can be cut and sewn easily without fear of damaging the product,” says Lyle Shipley, product manager at O’Sullivan Films, Winchester, Va., for O’Sea and …
How-To Articles
Complex and compound frame bending
July 1, 2016
Incorporating unconventional design into dodgers and biminis. I often suggest that my customers try to think out of the box when envisioning what their boats can look like. I tell them, “If I have done my job properly, the cover will become part of the boat.” Take a spray dodger, for example. I generally recommend …
Interiors & Upholstery
The art of project management on contour cushions
July 1, 2016
Marine fabricators are a unique group of craftspeople and business owners. Many of us are familiar with the notion that creative pursuits are right-brain activities, while math and logic are left-brain activities. As marine fabricators, we utilize the right sides of our brains for design solutions that meet customers’ aesthetic and practical expectations. At the …
Interiors & Upholstery
Restyled sleeping cabins
May 1, 2016
Interior sleeping cabins on a vessel have always been my favorite projects. I enjoy researching options and ultimately providing customers with tidy solutions that offer easy accessibility. Cabin spaces and mattresses come in all shapes and sizes. One of my clients claims to sleep 14 people on his 54-foot Bertram with only three interior cabins, …
How-To Articles
Lazy Jack – stack pack sail covers
March 1, 2016
These names are some of the descriptions for a process of suspending sail covers. I started making these Lazy Jack covers 20 years ago, as a progress/advance of the Lazy Jack rope system, designed to help flake a main sail as it is put away. The idea was to connect the rope to a sail …
Interiors & Upholstery
Elegant performance in stripes
March 1, 2016
Stripes come in every color, shape and size. A two-color stripe can even be juxtaposed to form an eye-catching pattern. Striking stripe patterns can be matched or combined with solid colors to provide dramatic effects for your next project. Stripes are more popular than ever. Sunbrella likes them so much, subtle as well as dramatic …
