Bennett Custom Canvas Inc., Etobicoke, Ontario

The client for this project, which won a 2009 MFA Award of Distinction and an Award of Excellence in the full exterior powerboats under 27 feet category, came to Bennett Custom Canvas Inc. with a request to build an enclosure to shelter his family during their trips back and forth to Toronto Island, but being a young urban professional, he wanted something that looked “cool.” From the tinted windows to the organic frame design to the compelling color combination of red and black, this thing screams “cool.”

Bennett mounted two new sets of oar lock pads to the innertubes to act as the pivots for the two-piece roof. The forward section of the roof is removable to leave a free-standing, four-piece bimini over the steering console. A window was installed in the forward section of the roof to promote visibility while standing at the helm. To allow greater accessibility at the midship entry points, Bennett arched the legs of the frames forward and aft. All of the legs of the frames and the bracing are arched for function and aesthetics.

The most difficult hurdle with this project was securing the enclosure panels to the inflatable tubes. Bennett accomplished this with a combination of Stayput fasteners that hook to the existing rub-rail, and some strategically placed mushroom caps glued to the tubes. Bennett finished the roof and all panels with black trim to complement the colors of the boat.

Bennett had never seen any inflatable with such a design on it. The company loved doing this project because the client gave them total artistic license, and they am very proud of the design of the framework. It was a concept of mine to make it very organic with lots of bends and curves. Bennett wasn’t sure if it was going to work, but when it did, they were thrilled and have continued to incorporate this signature design into many of their projects.