Today’s plethora of textile options may seem like a godsend. However, having such abundance may be confusing or worrisome, given how important finding the right solution for a project is.

Sponsored by the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), the Fabrication Excellence Awards contest is designed to recognize excellence in marine fabrication. The entries are judged by a panel of certified marine professionals. Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Awards are given in each category.

There is no one-size-fits-all cutting tool. The right option needs to fit the hand using it, whether it is large or small, left or right. The blades must be sharp and durable, enabling professional-quality cuts of thick and weather-resistant materials without slipping, blunting or fraying. Still, the tool should be easy enough to use all day, to reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries. The right tool, when properly maintained, also helps reduce material and equipment waste.

The marine fabrication industry encompasses a wide range of businesses, from multinational corporations to small mom-and-pop and one-person operations run out of garages or basements. Regardless of size, there are hardworking people everywhere with a passion for making products and/or providing services to customers.

There are many routes to take when it comes to opening a fabrication business, and no one way is necessarily better—or easier—than another. But common to all successful shops is that they were helmed by owners willing to do whatever it took to deliver the goods and thrive.

Networking is a crucial part of being in any industry, and fabricators truly benefit from in-person connection.

My employees have heard me say many times “I’d rather make new canvas for a 53-foot Sea Ray Sedan Flybridge than to do a 25-foot center console.” Why, you ask? Simply stated, the larger boat is easier to do.

For years, I viewed insurance premiums as a necessary evil—an expensive line item that seemed to grow annually without tangible benefit. That perspective changed dramatically when fire tore through our marine canvas workshop. What I learned in the aftermath could save your business if disaster strikes.