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 two Awards of Distinction, chosen from the Award of Excellence winners. All winners receive a press release and a plaque. All of the winning projects, including photos and descriptions, are available on the MFA website, www.marinecanvas.com, and at www.marinefabricatormag.com.

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SOFT ENCLOSURES

Award of Excellence

David’s Custom Trimmers, Wakerley, Queensland, Australia
www.davestrimmers.com

Relax Time

DESIGNERS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
FABRICATORS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
PROJECT MANAGER: Dave Elliott
INSTALLERS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
MATERIALS: Stamoid Open by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., Stamoid Light by Serge Ferrari North America, Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., YKK Zippers by YKK®, Makrolon® by Bayer Corp.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was an aft enclosure with small front windows, roll-up and pole-out sides, aft curtains with a fly screen and roll-down cover, and a roof rack for solar panels and tender. The architect-owner wanted to multipurpose many aspects of the project, including an adjustable roof rack to suit different sized solar panels and larger tenders in the future. This required a part-welded and part-sliding fittings system to provide a variety of future-focused options. The owner also wanted an extra room area for daytime shade and extra sleeping space. The side curtains were made to roll up and be held out with a fiberglass batten system with minimal fixtures to support the poles. The frame needed to be open on the sides for free access with a minimal frame design. The integrated roof rack also makes great side handles when walking around the boat.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Chicago Marine Canvas, Chicago, Ill.
www.chicagomarinecanvas.com 

The Labor Day Weekend Show

MATERIALS: Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Strataglass by Strataglass LLC, SolarFix® 2400 Denier Black by Solar Fix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The owner of this 58-foot Bayliner Pilot House Southern Cross yacht wanted a bridge and aft deck enclosure along with nine window and upholstery covers. The bridge had a Venturi windshield and visibility was crucial. The project included multiple roll-up windows for fresh air and screens, and the aft enclosure panels included roll-ups, screens and roll-up privacy curtains. The most challenging aspect was completing the work within the owner’s two-week time frame. The yacht had zero hardware installed, which required the installation of Flex-A-Rail track for the aft and bridge drop panels along with a variety of fasteners in all areas. Additional challenges included an unusual design “line” for the bridge drop panels due to the odd shaping of the seating and placement of the dinghy. The design and installation of the forward bridge windows over the Venturi windshield, and the multi-ply aft enclosure panels with roll-ups, screens and privacy curtains (secured via hook/loop) were also challenging. Despite these challenges, the project was completed on schedule to the owner’s complete satisfaction.

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RIGID ENCLOSURES

Award of Excellence

Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas, Virginia Beach, Va.
www.mikesmarinecanvas.com

Chris Craft Aft Deck Bimini and Enclosure

DESIGNERS: Mike Johnson, Dan Johnson
FABRICATOR: Faith Thomas
PROJECT MANAGER: Dan Johnson
INSTALLERS: Dan Johnson, Randy VanVliet
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Makralon® Polycarbonate by Bayer Corp.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The clients wanted a “family room” on their aft deck to expand the uses of their boat. They also wanted to protect the new carpet installed on the deck. The project was a new aft deck camper bimini frame, top and enclosure that connected to the existing flybridge bimini and enclosure. The primary challenge was ensuring a waterproof connection from the upper enclosure to the new lower bimini and enclosure. The arch behind the existing flybridge bimini and enclosure was narrower than the bimini and side curtains, so the upper connecting curtain slanted down to the lower bimini. It had to be “squeezed” between the arch legs and then zipped to the extra-large side filler curtains. The lower portion of those curtains needed to have the ability to open and close quickly to allow the crew access to the bow when docking. In addition, the aft curtains needed to open and close easily. This was accomplished by adding U-zipper openings with rain flaps to allow them to swing up and snap to the frame above.

 

Outstanding Achievement

SeaCanvas LLC, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
www.seacanvas.com

Neptunus

DESIGNER: Carl Pellegrini
FABRICATORS: Carl Pellegrini, Gladys Maxwell
PROJECT MANAGER: Carl Pellegrini
INSTALLERS: Carl Pellegrini, Gladys Maxwell
MATERIALS: EZ2CY® by EZ2CY Inc., Stamoid by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Xtreme Seal® by Xtreme Seal LLC, YKK Marine Mates® Zippers by YKK®
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was replacing the existing enclosure on this 2019 65-foot Neptunus with a new EZ2CY enclosure. The enclosure is track at the top and snaps on the windshield. As the client did not want anything drilled into the windshield, the snap line was doubled. The forward mid-window was real glass and flipped up, but it was too heavy and was replaced with a .080 EZ2CY window for ease of use. The aft enclosure below the midrail was solid fabric and was changed to EZ2CY for a clear view aft. One window on each side and the mid-aft and mid-forward window flip up and are secured with Common Sense Fasteners. To block the hot Miami sun, a zipper was added to the inside top of the enclosure and a full 75-foot four-piece curtain was installed. The customer says it keeps the bridge 30 degrees cooler. The result is a handsome enclosure designed with plenty of ventilation with flip-up windows. The aft enclosure is track-to-track and split with zippers at the midrail.

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SAILBOAT DODGERS

Award of Excellence

SB Marine Trimming, Newport, Australia
www.sbmarinetrimming.com.au

Beneteau 51

DESIGNER: Shane Beashel
FABRICATOR: Shane Beashel
PROJECT MANAGER: Shane Beashel
INSTALLER: Shane Beashel
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® Smoke by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Achilles Rollglass by Achilles, Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The client purchased this boat with the intention of living onboard for an extended period. As this boat would be sailing passages, the strength of the framework was important. This spray dodger features a 1¼-inch tapered three-bow frame with a 1-inch handrail welded onto the aft frame to provide a handhold at sea and to offer extra strength across the span of the biggest frame. It has clear paneling on the front and sides, and a U-zip window in the front clear. A one-piece cover for strength and beauty, it measures 90 inches fore and aft, and provides coverage for two sunbeds on either side of the companionway—a specific request of the owner. Given the client’s requirements, a primary challenge was avoiding a boxy shape. This was accomplished through careful framing, proportions and creative patterning. The taper on the framework and the length and use of clear reduced the boxy look and provides a stylish, functional and strong spray dodger.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Yachtsman’s Canvas, North Wales, Pa.
www.yachtsmanscanvas.com

Classic Dodger Infused with Modern

DESIGNER: Keri Ames
FABRICATOR: Keri Ames
PROJECT MANAGER: Keri Ames
INSTALLER: Keri Ames
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® Ivy by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Stamskin Top by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., O’Sea® Firma by O’Sullivan Films, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix, YKK Zippers by YKK®
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was to re-cover an existing two-bow dodger for a 2000 Beneteau 411. The challenge was to meet the customer’s requests to update the look and feel of the dodger, maximize visibility, yet preserve the classic traditional dodger look conducive to the era of the boat. This was achieved in both design elements and material choices. Adjustments were made to the existing frame, raising the forward bow to expand the view and increase the rake of the front windshield. The aft bow was adjusted to match, creating additional coverage and protection over the companionway. The expansive views were also achieved by decreasing the top and bottom view lines across the front windshield and incorporating two large windows on each wing. The center front windshield was designed to flip and attach to the dodger top to eliminate an interruption of the view from a rolled-up window.

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SAILBOAT ENCLOSURES

Award of Excellence

Precision Custom Canvas Inc., St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
www.precisioncanvas.com

Cockpit Creativity

DESIGNER: Jeff Newkirk
FABRICATOR: Jeff Newkirk
SUBCONTRACTOR: Doug Gierula
PROJECT MANAGER: Jeff Newkirk
INSTALLER: Jeff Newkirk
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., Acrylite® by Evonik, O’Sea® Firma by O’Sullivan Films, Aqua-View® by Manart-Hirsch Co. Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was a complete redesign of the cockpit enclosure for this Pearson 36-2, including a new dodger, bimini and enclosure. The customer wanted to achieve better in/out access and an updated look to the old, coaming-mounted canvas structures. To maximize the width of the cockpit and create a walk-through in the transom, the stern rail was removed and redesigned. This project also required successful experimentation with compound bending of the framework. The bimini frames were mounted up and out on the new stern rail, creating an open feel to the bimini and cockpit enclosure, and the dodger matched in shape and styling. The design continued the curved lines of the framework into the shape of the dodger wings and the forward enclosure panels, which tied the project together nicely.

 

Outstanding Achievement

David’s Custom Trimmers, Wakerley, Queensland, Australia
www.davestrimmers.com

Cruising

DESIGNER: Dave Elliott
FABRICATORS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
PROJECT MANAGER: Dave Elliott
INSTALLERS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® Supreme by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC., Makrolon® by Bayer, Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc, EzySlip Premium
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The client requested a complete all-weather yacht enclosure, including a spray dodger, bimini with mounted solar panels, joiner panel, a complete set of aft windows and matching mesh panels. The rear curtains needed to be interchangeable and adaptable to allow for various combinations of zipping together clear and mesh panels. Airflow was an important request, so the curtains were terminated on the bottom life line. To give the cockpit an open feel, the fabric is a light color. The bimini frames were crowned on the sides for aesthetic and strength reasons to accommodate the owner’s five soft solar panels. A central front-to-rear bimini support bar was added to accommodate the extra weight of the panels. Three of the front dodger windows are removable for extra airflow in the tropics. Each window and mesh panel in the aft enclosure have matching zippers to allow for a combination of fixing scenarios.

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MARINE INTERIOR UPHOLSTERY

Award of Excellence

Lake Shore Boat Top Company Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich.
www.lakeshoreboattop.com

Floating Palace

DESIGNER: Rob Kotowski
FABRICATORS: Rob Kotowski, Richard Flint, Gregory Phillips
PROJECT MANAGERS: Bob Kotowski, Rob Kotowski
INSTALLERS: Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Jake Koch
MATERIALS: LuxHide II by Luxury Fabrics Inc., SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project was reupholstering the entire interior of the boat, which included a large sofa with ottoman, a love seat with ottoman, a kitchen dinette and two captain seats. The project involved completing 37 pieces in total. The customers wanted something new and fresh, and also provided unique fabrics that were ultimately used to fabricate three accent pillows for the large love seat and sofa. Challenges in this project included getting the backrests to match, as they all had French seaming in them. This was a puzzle that required stretching and careful fabrication to ensure that everything would fit together properly. Disassembling and reassembling this project was time-consuming, and getting the stitch lines to match up properly was one of the toughest challenges.

 

Award of Excellence

Lake Shore Boat Top Company Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich.
www.lakeshoreboattop.com

Home Away from Home

DESIGNER: Rob Kotowski
FABRICATORS: Rob Kotowski, Richard Flint, Gregory Phillips
SUBCONTRACTORS: Renee Pruett, Jake Koch
PROJECT MANAGERS: Rob Kotowski, Bob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips
INSTALLERS: Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Renee Pruett
MATERIALS: LuxHide II by Luxury Fabrics Inc., SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix, Ultraleather® by Ultrafabrics®
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project consisted of reupholstering the entire interior of the boat. It included a large sofa, love seat with ottoman, and a double cockpit captain seat with raised knee rolls. This project had roughly 28 pieces and required a great deal of detailed sewing using French seams, pull strips and straight stitching. The client selected a new fabric with a cool touch that is very soft for seating. The job required nearly half the foam to be replaced. The challenges included removing and installing the seating area. Although this was an interior upholstery project, the boat came from salt water and so some of the elements still got into the cabin and cockpit, causing a lot of corrosion on the screws and fasteners, which had to be replaced.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Beach Upholstery, Virginia Beach, Va.
www.beachupholstery.com

Indigo Diamonds

DESIGNER: Linda Beach
FABRICATOR: Deborah Hamilton
PROJECT MANAGER: Linda Beach
INSTALLER: Terrance DeLoatch
MATERIAL: Sunbrella® Integrated Indigo by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The clients were having an air-conditioning unit installed on their 2001 Caliber XLR sailboat. The unit was under the L-shaped couch, but there was no access to it. At first the clients wanted a quick fix to their access problem (cut, staple and go). Eventually, they decided to have both the straight and L couch re-covered. Before the AC unit installation could happen, the planned redesign of the corner cushion and backrest needed to be drawn up. To allow for easier access in the future, the design plan called for the corner backrest board to be cut in half and a redesigned corner cushion. A significant challenge was matching the little diamonds, both horizontally and vertically, all the way around the bend of the corner backrests. The clients loved the result and were happy they decided against the quick fix.

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MARINE EXTERIOR UPHOLSTERY

Award of Excellence

Llebroc Industries, Fort Worth, Texas
www.llebroc.com

SX Helm Chair with Tidal Wave™ Technology

DESIGNER: Bryan Corbell
FABRICATOR: Bryan Corbell
PROJECT MANAGER: Greg Carman
MATERIAL: Nautolex® Tidal Wave™ Marine Vinyl by OMNOVA Solutions
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was to create a functional SX model helm chair that achieved a high-end automotive appearance. The SX chair required development of a specialized molded back as well as an extensive amount of fabric, foam and starboard engineering that included quilted material sewn in conjunction with flat fabric. The overall engineering of the SX helm chair was both unique and complex, with 3-D modeling and CAD used in the development stages. The project began with the use of Tidal Wave anti-pinking marine vinyl to provide a solution and warranty against pink staining. The vinyl had to be compatible with quilting and foam lamination. The seat construction started with CNC cut foam and each piece was engineered for an exact fit before the vinyl was installed. The vinyl was also CNC cut to match each foam piece prior to fabrication for an exact fit and finish. Despite extreme radiuses, this process resulted in multiple radiuses without wrinkles or creases.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Chicago Marine Canvas, Chicago, Ill.
www.chicagomarinecanvas.com

“Skater” with Style

MATERIALS: Ship to Shore by Enduratex™, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was re-covering all of the exterior upholstery on this 28-foot Skater twin outboard-powered performance catamaran. It required changing the design features, the majority of the foam shapes within each seat and all of the vinyl. The client had specific colors and textures in mind. Variations to the base foam shapes required a redesign of the foam shapes that make up the triple aft seats. The customer also requested the addition of safety straps and “hip huggers” on the captain and co-captain bucket seats for increased stability while seated in the high-performance powerboat at speeds in excess of 80 mph. The embroidery of the boat manufacturer name/logo onto headrests and the back of the captain and co-captain bucket seats was done in-house and not outsourced. The project is a head turner on the dock.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Lake Shore Boat Top Company Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich.
www.lakeshoreboattop.com

“Looney Tunes”

DESIGNER: Rob Kotowski
FABRICATORS: Rob Kotowski, Bob Kotowski, Richard Flint, Gregory Phillips
PROJECT MANAGERS: Rob Kotowski, Richard Flint
INSTALLERS: Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Richard Flint, Renee Pruett, Jake Koch
MATERIALS: Seabrook Vinyl by Morbern®, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix, Better Than Teak II™ Luxury Woven Vinyl™ by Infinity Woven Products LLC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consisted of new carpet and comfortable, yet durable, seating for 18 people, including four large bench seats—one of which is 13 feet long. The project also involved upholstering two beverage tables to match the seating, and fully upholstering the steering console area. The job was completed in three colors, using high-grade marine vinyl fabric. The client entertains often on the boat and wanted something to catch the eye and enhance the boat’s aesthetics. The most complex part of this project was working with the scalloped design so that all the pieces would match up seamlessly.

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TOPS

Award of Excellence

SewLong Custom Covers, Salt Lake City, Utah
www.sewlong.com

Nautique FCTv3

MATERIAL: RECacril® by Recasens USA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This Folding Canopy Top (FCTv3) is an enhanced version of previous tops of this type. The Folding Canopy Top is one of the easiest designs to use for a tower-mounted sun shade. It only requires removing two quick-release pins and the top folds back and boots into place for travel and transport. This top includes silver (heat-reducing) surf pockets for storage and to protect the boards from overheating and warping in the summer sun. The FCT provides a lot of shade and includes robust mounting hardware that makes it fast and easy to collapse for trailering and transport. It includes additional folding functions that allow the tower to fold down, and it provides a lot of headroom and creates a neat and clean look. CAD was used to design the hardware, a 3-D printer was used to verify the fit, and a local machine shop fabricated the hardware. The FCT was patterned and installed while on the trailer. The results were a top that not only provides a lot of shade but is very functional and easy to use.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Paul’s Custom Canvas, Denver, Colo.
www.paulscanvas.com

Pushing the Limit of Canvas Graphics with an Outerlimits 42

DESIGNERS: Adam Penner, Mike Charpentier, Paul Charpentier
FABRICATORS: Maribel Torres, Mike Charpentier, Paul Charpentier
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Adam Penner
PROJECT MANAGER: Mike Charpentier
INSTALLER: Mike Charpentier
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix, 316 Stainless Steel Tubing by Morse Industries
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This bimini top with matching graphics was designed to provide protection from the elements on this 42-foot offshore powerboat. The customer requested a flat frame to match the boat’s lines, which required the use of 1.25-inch stainless steel tubing to achieve the strength needed on a powerboat. To keep the bimini from having to be completely stowed before high-speed travel, a custom bag was made to hold the frame and canvas in a secure position against the back strut and out of the way of the cockpit. Digital measuring, 3-D modeling and a CNC cutting table ensured a high level of accuracy.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Stitch Trim, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
www.stitchtrim.com.au

Versatile Ski Bimini

DESIGNER: Kent Rowbotham
FABRICATORS: Kent Rowbotham, Allison Rowbotham
INSTALLERS: Kent Rowbotham, Allison Rowbotham
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® Plus by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Sunbrella® Contour by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was a functional, stylish stainless steel bimini top for a ski boat. The bimini had to be able to withstand travel speeds of more than 50 mph and also fold down inside the boat for travel. The client requested two seasonal bimini covers: one providing full block-out protection from the summer sun, and a second that would allow the sunlight to filter through during the winter months. Challenges included the design of the stainless steel frame that could be folded down into the boat easily for travel but still strong enough to withstand high-speed boat use. The frame folds down easily yet is still aesthetically pleasing and functional.

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TRAVEL/FULL COVERS

Award of Excellence

David’s Custom Trimmers, Wakerley, Queensland, Australia
www.davestrimmers.com

Dual-Purpose Yacht Covers

DESIGNER: Dave Elliott
FABRICATORS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
PROJECT MANAGER: Dave Elliott
INSTALLERS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC., Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The customer wanted a set of full yacht covers to protect the decks and varnish work. An additional request was to make the covers adaptable and capable of being raised above head height so they could be used while onboard to keep the boat cool and create shade. Making covers to do two jobs properly is near impossible in most cases. The project required a lot of planning, with several fittings to establish the correct measurements for both jobs. In the main awning, batten pockets and eight rope pockets were added for the alternating tie-off systems. Zippers were added in the sides to take out a wedge of fabric for the up positioning. More zippers were added at the front for some fill-in panels for the down position, to complete full deck coverage. The owner appreciates the innovative solution and the simplicity of the transition for the covers’ alternating uses.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Lake Shore Boat Top Company Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich.
www.lakeshoreboattop.com

The Batmobile

DESIGNER: Rob Kotowski
FABRICATORS: Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Jake Koch
SUBCONTRACTORS: Diana Boskovich, Phyllis Gielow
PROJECT MANAGER: Rob Kotowski
INSTALLERS: Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips
MATERIALS: WeatherMAX™ LT® by Safety Components, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix, Soltis 86 by Serge Ferrari North America Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This felt-backed fabric boat cover was designed to serve as a trailering cover and to protect the boat when stored in the owner’s boathouse. The customer did not want any snaps on this cover, so it is all custom fitted, designed and installed with secure shaping darts and webbing straps with life jacket clips to secure the cover while trailering. The challenge was finding a fabric that had a protective felt liner and yet was also water repellent, since the boat is custom painted. The customer also requested additional belting tie-down straps to the trailer to provide extra protection to the boat cover while traveling at high speeds on the highway. A rear screen section was installed to reduce wind resistance when the boat is being trailered to improve towing performance and prevent damage to the cover during lengthy highway travel. The most challenging part of this job was the patterning and layout process.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Stitch Trim, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
www.stitchtrim.com.au

The Family

DESIGNER: Kent Rowbotham
FABRICATORS: Kent Rowbotham, Allison Rowbotham
MATERIALS: Sunbrella® Plus by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: “The Family” is a Sea Jay 7.2 Pursuit half cab, hardtop aluminum trailer boat. The project was a full storage cover to protect this beauty from the elements in a harsh tropical environment. The cover had to be water resistant and allow for adequate airflow to prevent mold. The biggest challenge was the sheer enormity of the boat. The majority of the patterning process was done at heights above 1.8 meters (5 feet 9 inches). Due to the size and weight of the cover, a lightweight marine canvas was used to make it easier for the client to handle. The client did not want fixing points added to the trailer or vessel, so 6mm shock cord with UV-treated hooks was used to achieve this result. The cover was made drum tight to allow adequate water runoff and not have water pool in any areas. To allow for airflow to travel underneath the cover without being restricted by the hardtop, adequate space was left open at the base of the cover at both the bow and stern of the boat, and between the glass windows and the cover.

 

Outstanding Achievement

David’s Custom Trimmers, Wakerley, Queensland, Australia
www.davestrimmers.com

The Yacht Cover with More

DESIGNER: Dave Elliott
FABRICATORS: Glen McDonald, Dave Elliott
INSTALLER: Glen McDonald
MATERIALS: Top Notch® by Marlen Textiles, Gore® Tenara® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., YKK Zippers by YKK®
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The customer wanted a dual-purpose cover system that was a full boat cover to the water line but that could also be split into three sections, with the large middle portion being used as a beach shade, tent and nighttime shelter. Because this is a traditional style yacht with a lot of varnish and bright work, the cover needed to fit very well with no gaps, including the bow spread. It is always a challenge to make a job do two things. To take a boat cover, work around a shaped panel, then turn it into a beach tent—including the poles and ropes—was interesting, challenging and complex. The result was a practical, lightweight, user-friendly cover system that provided the flexible solution the client was looking for.

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MARINE MISCELLANEOUS

Award of Excellence

Southern Stitch Canvas & Upholstery LLC, Gulfport, Miss.
www.southernstitch.com

Ragin’ Cajun

MATERIAL: SeaDek® EVA closed cell foam by SeaDek (Bimini Blue over Black embossed with an 8½-inch hexagon pattern)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was a custom 28-foot aluminum center console. The client wanted to be noticed while boating down the bayou in southern Louisiana and also wanted to be able to fish barefoot. A unique factor of this project is that there is SeaDek on every inch of this boat. It was challenging to cover that much square footage with a hexagon pattern and align the pattern successfully. The installation of parts around the accessory posts was extremely tedious. The resulting product was exactly what the customer had envisioned.

 

Outstanding Achievement

Signature CanvasMakers, Hampton, Va.
www.signaturecanvasmakers.com

Duck Bills

DESIGNER: Chandler Clark
FABRICATOR: Charlene Clark
SUBCONTRACTOR: Matt Losey
PROJECT MANAGER: Chandler Clark
INSTALLER: Chandler Clark
MATERIAL: Polytex® by Polyfab USA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project was to design and create custom shade sails for a newly opened marina restaurant called Decoys. The area around the marina is extremely windy, so the sails needed to provide shade and be exceptionally strong. There was no existing framework in place, so the design included 1¼ polished anodized aluminum pipe framework that is both structurally sound and includes mounting points to help the sails withstand heavy winds. Once the frame structures were in place, tensioned shade sails were attached to maximize sun protection and create the illusion of a duck bill through color and frame design.

 

Outstanding Achievement

David’s Custom Trimmers, Wakerley, Queensland, Australia
www.davestrimmers.com

The Ultimate Boat Bumper

DESIGNER: Dave Elliott
FABRICATORS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
PROJECT MANAGER: Dave Elliott
INSTALLERS: Dave Elliott, Aaron Stumer
MATERIALS: Nylex Boat Hooding by Nylex, EVA foam, Thermo-Lite Board®
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The customer wanted a bumper system for three different tenders to protect a 110-foot power catamaran from scratches. The bumpers needed to be strong enough to act as water deflectors in choppy conditions and designed with an invisible fixture system. The bolt-on system uses a waterproof composite base board, with epoxy glue laminating two layers of 6mm board together to make a permanently shaped removable base. Stainless steel bolts were epoxied through the boards, ready for mounting to the boat. The molded board was foamed with a solid EVA foam and covered with a thin layer of quick-dry foam to counteract the EVA foam’s expansion and contraction with hot and cold. The stiff, bias-cut hooding fabric was stretched and heat molded.