By Dara Syrkin Simple maintenance on your sewing machines will help save money on costly repairs and machine replacement. Suggestions here are from Robert Kotowski of Lake Shore Boat Top Co. Machine tension Make sure the thread is wired properly through your machine. Make sure the bobbin thread is locked into the spring inside the [...]

By Dara Syrkin Brian Bennett, MFC, of Custom Marine Canvas has advice on how to make machines work when using a particular construction method: double-stick tape. “We follow certain construction techniques that deliver the products our customers want,” he says. “Those techniques involve holding and binding together cloth, clear vinyl, reinforcements and other materials before [...]

By Dara Syrkin Consew vice president Doug Glenn has heard tales of woe from fabricators. Here’s what he’s learned: “If you buy a commercial sewing machine from an Internet company, you will be at risk of paying freight both ways for service on the machine, while under warranty, even if the machine arrives to you [...]

By Holly O’Dell To help determine if using a tablet is right for them, Charlene Clark of Signature CanvasMakers suggests marine fabricators think about what could make their jobs easier while saving time and money and improving the customer experience in the process. Among questions to consider: If you could have information at your fingertips [...]

Here are some key technologies for creating designs and speeding production. By Marc Hequet Proliner is a device that measures three-dimensional design spaces with a 21-foot-long wire drawn from a measuring head that rotates 360 degrees. The device is about the size of an old-fashioned typewriter and mounts on a tripod or any firm surface. [...]

Ben Braun of Canvas Craft explains how snap-on covers are now easier to create because of changes in boat building: By Dara Syrkin “Canvas Craft has been building custom boat covers since 1976. In the last three to five years we have noticed a trend related to versatility. With people keeping a closer eye on [...]

By Dara Syrkin Ever wonder if you’re being heard? John Pierce, product manager at WeatherMax, spots trends by being attentive. “We travel extensively and that pays dividends in two primary ways: You get to see the local canvas installations and you get one-on-one time with the fabricators who are very good at sharing their wants [...]

By Holly O’Dell In 2006, Ron Russikoff combined his background as a marine fabricator with his experience in product design, development, and engineering for a manufacturing business to develop accessible shade systems for boats. The result was SureShade, which designs and manufacturers patented shade systems for boat OEMs, as well as aftermarket customers such as [...]

By Jeff Rasmussen Changes cited by suppliers and end-product manufacturers in the survey ran the gamut from having a greater number of fabrics to choose from to the dramatic increase in the prices of key materials, especially petroleum-based fabrics. Specific changes cited include: For suppliers Many more fabric choices are available worldwide. More acrylic suppliers [...]

By Abbie Yarger Working with aircraft interiors takes more than simply agreeing to do a job. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented numerous regulations and procedures for upholsterers providing aircraft services. “Those people who want to get into the aircraft market have to do their homework,” says Rob Lucarelli, interior specialist at the National Flight [...]