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.

The MFA recognizes two Awards of Distinction, chosen from the Award of Excellence winners. All winners receive a press release and an award plaque to celebrate their achievements. All of the winning projects, including photos and descriptions, are available on the MFA website, MarineCanvas.com, and at MarineFabricatorMag.com.

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Hybrid Enclosures – Sailboat & Powerboat

Award of Excellence

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
German Frers Enclosure

Materials: Plexiglas^® by Röhm GmbH, Regalite^™ by HVG Fabrics, Valmex^® Fr 580 by Mehler Texnologies, SolarFix^® 2000 Clear and Black thread by Solar Fix 

Project Description: The client requested a removable cockpit enclosure made from durable materials with flexible sides that could be rolled up, be entirely removable for transit and be designed to work around winches. Mesh panels were integrated for ventilation and to prevent mold growth. Additionally, mesh was used at the back to provide convenient access to the winches during transit, all while ensuring that the clears wouldn’t be damaged during frequent removal. Project challenges included making sure the reinforcing lines were accurately aligned with the boat’s contours while preserving the boat’s original appearance. The size of the reinforcing had to be increased, as the hardtop sits relatively high on the boat, and the horizontal reinforcements were made thicker to maintain a streamlined look for the cockpit enclosure without making it appear overly tall. The customer was very impressed with the overall outcome of the project, meeting all requirements while enhancing the look of the boat.

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
Queensland, Australia
kustomcanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Hayden Island Canvas
Hunter 33

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, TOP GUN^® by Marlen Textiles, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., O’Sea^® polished 40-gauge vinyl by O’Sullivan Films Inc., SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix 

Project Description: The customer requested a full enclosure that worked well with the cockpit of the boat and could be operated from inside the enclosure. The request included using the stainless steel traveler arch for the aft bimini with coverage in the summer for the aft stern seats and panels enclosing the main cockpit for use during the winter. The traveler arch on Hunter sailboats of this era poses numerous design challenges. Building the bimini directly off the arch with a flap and zippers at the carefully planned middle bow made it possible to locate the aft panels exactly where desired with plenty of strength. The side panels required cutouts for the traveler lines in multiple spots so they could be operated from inside the enclosure, along with zip-out winch access. The aft top was built to overhang the aft stern pulpit seats for shade during summer use, but the panels were built to hang from the middle bow and complement the shape of the cockpit and avoid bad angles.

Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Charlton’s Marine Canvas
25-foot Parker

Materials: Stamoid Open by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., O’Sea^® polished 40-gauge vinyl by O’Sullivan Films Inc., SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix, 18-ounce vinyl-coated polyester 

Project Description: The project was a full seven-piece three-sided enclosure. This enclosure was designed to provide a large area of protection from the wind and waves when the customer is fishing in the winter weather. The challenge was to make an enclosure that complemented the boat’s aesthetic look, offered great visibility and also functioned very easily. The window lines were designed to flow smoothly from panel to panel. Snaps installed on the front of the console, hidden with a flap, give it a very clean look. The wings also have J-zippers to allow for very easy access to the bow of the boat. Otherwise, the customers would have two zippers and a strap hook to release to get forward, which would not be fun. The front three panels are rigid polycarbonate and the four side panels are flexible glass to be rolled up when needed.

Charlton’s Marine Canvas
Yorktown, Va.
charltonsmarinecanvas.com 

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Marine Exterior Upholstery

Award of Excellence

Overboard Designs
Extreme Fountain

Materials: Carbon Fiber Silver by Spradling International Inc.^®, synthetic teak boat decking by PlasDECK^® Inc.

Project Description: The clients wanted an elegant, tasteful but playful and fun interior designed for their latest boat. Using the boat’s exterior paint job as inspiration, the colors were brought inside, and the very intricate lines were incorporated into the new patterns. CNC quilting in a honeycomb pattern was also incorporated to add a unique touch of texture and dimension. Most foam was replaced and sculptured for the new design, and ¼-inch foam backing was used throughout. Custom PlasDECK flooring was installed in light gray with white teak lines to complete the project in the most durable and sophisticated way. Completing the challenge of the complex, ambitious stich work in this interior was rewarding, as was the explosion of satisfaction from the boat owners when they saw their new interior.

Overboard Designs
Buford, Ga.
overboarddesigns.com

Outstanding Achievement

Marine Tops Unlimited
Never Again—The Treacherous Tige

Materials: Marine vinyl, flooring by GatorStep 

Project Description: The customer brought in this 10-year-old boat with upholstery that was in rough shape. The Tige wake boats feature a lot of similar techniques for upholstery as what is done in the automotive world, and nothing was simply designed. It seemed as if the original designers purposely tried to find the hardest way to do everything. This Tige Z1 is a 21-foot-boat so there was a lot of upholstery to be done here, including both dash panels, which were designed like a high-end sports car. There are also a range of different colors, textures and decorative stitch panels in this design. Getting all the pieces out of this boat and then reassembling it was not for large or even medium humans! The team also did the flooring on this boat using the GatorStep product.

Marine Tops Unlimited
Omro, Wis.
marinetops.com

Outstanding Achievement

Top Stitch Marine Canvas
4260 Regal Refresher

Materials: Silvertex^® Cream and Silvertex Taupe by Spradling International Inc.^®, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix, ½-inch Komacel PVC by Kommerling^® USA Inc., medium-firm closed cell foam

Project Description: The client wanted all exterior upholstery to be re-covered with a modernized design and was amenable to the suggested materials, colors and diamond pleating pattern. Due to severe rot, it quickly became apparent that the entire job needed to be rebuilt from scratch, including new foam, and none of the old wood or foam was reusable as a pattern. Everything was fabricated using ½-inch PVC. Once the new seat frames were built, foam was applied, and then each piece was patterned. The intricate curved diamond pattern required that the tips of the diamonds follow the curve exactly. The unexpectedly complex rebuild included making sure the backrest top and bottom frame bases were perfectly aligned, and the foam had to be cut and shaped to achieve the desired angles. The French seams are perfectly straight, diamonds are consistent, and the fabric wraps the foam without pulls or wrinkles. Overall the team and the client were extremely pleased with the result.

Top Stitch Marine Canvas
Middle River, Md.
topstitchmarinecanvas.com

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Marine Interior Upholstery 

Award of Excellence

Precision Custom Canvas Inc.
Hip to be Square!

Materials: Bondi by Ennis Fabrics, Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics^®

Project Description: The client had just acquired this Cantius 60 and wanted to update the interior from the 2018 model to a design he saw in a 2023 model. There was some UV damage to the Ultraleather in the existing interior, so the client was guided to a fabric that would work well with the new layout. The two Stidd chairs were to stay as Ultraleather, just with refreshed coverings. The new design was to have large square blocks paneled together for a quilted look. The changing sizes of the cushions required careful work to keep the blocking scaled properly and the grids matching up as the cushions turned around corners. Dismantling and re-installing involved removing sections of the boat right down the stairs to the sleeping quarters, given how the boat was assembled. Hidden paneling behind the sofa enclosing the TV storage area was a nice surprise, and thankfully there was extra fabric on hand to cover the additional area.

Precision Custom Canvas Inc.
St. Catharines, Ont., Canada
precisioncanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Alfred’s Upholstery & Co.
11.4 Limo Interior

Materials: Zander Ochre by Spradling International Inc.^®

Installer: Mike Charlton, Charlton’s Marine Canvas

Project Description: The project was a custom luxe interior made for a 11.4 limo tender for a mother ship. The color scheme for this project, the terra-cotta fabric choice against the black hull, was very luxurious and striking. The well-designed scale and artistry of the upholstery elevates the handcrafted limo tender.

Alfred’s Upholstery & Co.
Alfred, Maine
alfredsupholstery.com

Outstanding Achievement

Precision Custom Canvas
Fifty Shades of Blue!

Materials: Palmetto Lapis, Tribal Trellis Chambray, Guardian, Challenger by Ennis Fabrics

Project Description: The client chose various fabrics and vinyls with a blue theme. The project included the addition of the vinyl selections for the captain’s chair and the upholstered ceiling panels. Stainless steel brackets designed for an articulating backrest in the main cabin worked smoothly, allowing the backrest to lift and drop down on either side of the seat as desired. The “kids’ room” beds were designed so the lower seating would pull out into a larger bed, using the backrests as filler cushions to complete the bed. The upper pilot berth also pulls out, and the main seating sections were made as two 2-inch-thick sunpads, so they can be taken up to the bow and serve a second purpose. The geometric pattern of the stateroom fabric was a bit of fun to line up, but a great pattern match along the hinge seam was achieved. While the colors and patterns were a challenge to the eye, the client was thrilled with this Fifty Shades of Blue!  

Precision Custom Canvas Inc.
St. Catharines, Ont., Canada
precisioncanvas.com

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Powerboat – Rigid Enclosures 

Award of Excellence

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
43 Grand Banks Flybridge Enclosure 

Materials: Plexiglas^® by Röhm GmbH, Valmex^® Fr 580 by Mehler Texnologies

Project Description: The “Beluga” project was a partnership with a trusting client who wanted to transform his flybridge enclosure and design a look that matched the era for the framework. This involved changing the old two-part bimini and working with a stainless steel company to design a new frame. A strong existing relationship with the yacht owner and history of successful projects led to this particular job. It was a unique canvas for creativity and innovation, setting it apart from other projects in terms of having the client’s complete trust to start from scratch and design all the correct lines and angles. The framework’s design prioritized aligning all windows, taking into account their fixed, rigid nature, to enable them to be hinged up to the roof. Correct application of warp and weft were applied to achieve wrinkle- free reinforcing. All the hard work paid off, and the quality and workmanship stood out as no corners were cut in the manufacturing of the clear enclosure.

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
Queensland, Australia
kustomcanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Advanced Canvas & Upholstery
Mikelson 50 Flybridge Mia Via

Materials: Stamoid Top by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., EZ2CY^® impact-modified acrylic, YKK Zippers by YKK^®, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix, O’Sea^® polished 40-gauge vinyl by O’Sullivan Films Inc.

Project Description: The customer wanted an EZ2CY enclosure with custom outrigger windows and roll-up panels in the back. He also insisted on having wipers on the front window, which required using a different acrylic material to blend with the EZ2CY window system and creating a border design that would receive the wiper motors without compromising the window itself. The front window was customized with a larger reinforced top border to provide space for the wiper connections to go through the fabric and not the actual window panel. The acrylic material used for the front panel was a .125-thick impact-modified acrylic that would not flex while underway and minimize distortion with wiper use. Since the large front window was inoperable because of the wipers, fabric vents were fabricated in the top border and air ports were cut in the new venturi to enhance airflow.

Advanced Canvas & Upholstery
Ventura, Calif.
advancedcanvasusa.com

Outstanding Achievement

Hayden Island Canvas
Jeanneau Leader

Materials: Sunbrella^® Black by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., Costa Track^® by Costa Marine Canvas and Enclosures, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix

Project Description: The customer wanted a top-of-the-line all-weather enclosure for the center console on his new Jeanneau Leader. Costa Track was installed all around and the channel that was pre-built into the windshield at the factory was utilized. For this all-rigid enclosure, access zippers with a double fold-back were installed on both sides of the helm. All panels were made to zip out so they can be easily removed by the customer. The helm on this boat allows only a very narrow entry forward into the cabin. Making an enclosure that looked as good as it functioned was paramount, and it took some careful planning and layout to make sure the customer could easily use both the boat and the enclosure. The final result was better than the customer expected. The double fold-back doors made having a rigid enclosure a possibility in such a small space.

Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com

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Powerboat – Soft Enclosures

Award of Excellence

Bootssattlerei Hallier
Doral 250SE

Materials: Sunbrella^® Plus by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Renolit Prime Crystal Clear rolled vinyl by Renolit, Gore^® Tenara^® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.

Project Description: The original enclosures supplied by Doral are not the worst on the market but they are far from having a perfect fit and often leak at the arch. The customers wanted a perfect fit with absolute waterproofness. Due to the design of the arch (wider than the original frames and windshield) and the design of the stern area (entrance and sitting area that sticks out), the Doral 250 is one of the most challenging towable boats for an enclosure. Almost every panel, including the two bimini tops, have some hollow and 3D shape in it. Because normal 0.75mm roll clear was used, the fit of every panel had to be perfect to get the windows as wrinkle-free as possible. The entrance panel, in particular, was curved in every direction, making it a real challenge to sew the window in a canvas that was no longer lying flat.

Bootssattlerei Hallier
Bad Abbach, Germany
bootssattlerei-hallier.de 

Outstanding Achievement

Bootssattlerei Hallier
Drago 29 Yachtline

Materials: Sunbrella^® Plus by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Renolit Prime Crystal Clear rolled vinyl by Renolit, Gore^® Tenara^® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.

Project Description: After using their boat for only one year, the customers wanted to get rid of the original enclosure and get one that fit much better, was waterproof and had frames that could easily be folded over for trailering. In addition, they wanted more headroom in the back/entrance. In order to make the framework collapsible, the normal frame setup was turned 180 degrees so there were three frames in the back and one in the front. The single frame is about 20 cm. (approximately 8 inches) narrower than the other three due to the windshield. This frame setup offered much more space for the seating area in the back and allowed the whole front part to be tensioned correctly while not being wider than the windshield (making it harder to get the front top panel wrinkle-free). Because the bench at the stern sticks out, the original snaps used for fastening the back panel were switched to webbing.

Bootssattlerei Hallier
Bad Abbach, Germany
bootssattlerei-hallier.de 

Outstanding Achievement

Hayden Island Canvas
SeaRay 39 Aft Enclosure Upgrade

Materials: Recacril^® by Recasens USA, O’Sea^® polished 40-gauge vinyl by O’Sullivan Films Inc., SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix, 11⁄4-inch stainless steel tubing

Project Description: The customer wanted a new aft enclosure that didn’t pool like the previous enclosure, that fit and looked better, and that provided easier access to the entryway and bow. Fabrication included a rigid horizontal frame off of the radar arch with sufficient crown for water runoff, a new canvas top and seven panels with clear vinyl. The aft entryway panel got an easy-access zipper for folding the soft panel to the support stanchion of the top on the port side. The high-visibility zipper pulls are very easy to find against the black fabric. The sheer width of the beam of this boat took some careful planning, as one stick of stainless steel tubing would not be long enough to make the main bow. Splices were carefully hidden where the tees for other parts of the frame go. The bow follows the aft crown of the transom, but also has enough crown to match the middle bow and provide sufficient runoff and strength. 

Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com

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Tops & Sunflys

Award of Excellence

Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Wakeboard Shade Kit

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, YKK Zippers by YKK^® 

Project Description: The customer’s wakeboard boat came with a very small sun top due to the towrope being attached to the pylon on top of the arch. The goal of the project was to fabricate a simple shade kit that could be used on the bow or the stern of the boat. A flap with zippers was added to the front and rear of the original small top. A single frame that breaks into four pieces using tube joints with push buttons was constructed. The bow mounts to the boat using low-profile deck hinges with push buttons, which means no tools are needed to put up the 6½-foot shade. The webbing straps and quick-release buckles pull the shade tight to the existing cleats. The whole kit breaks down into a small mesh bag that can be easily stored inside the console. 

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

Outstanding Achievement

Signature CanvasMakers LLC
Offshore 80 Twice as Nice

Materials: Commercial 95^® by GALE Pacific 

Project Description: The owners of an Offshore 80-foot wanted to update their current shade solution on the upper and aft decks to simplify and prevent sagging. Given the large size of both shade solutions, the decision was made to incorporate a commercial design for recreational use by upgrading to a commercial shade fabric. A new tensioning system was developed and incorporated into the existing pole system that increased the purchase to 2:1. The design introduced setbacks and scalloping to compensate for the specific fabric to provide maximum coverage when fully tensioned. 

Signature CanvasMakers LLC
Hampton, Va.
signaturecanvasmakers.com

Outstanding Achievement

Hayden Island Canvas
Selene Solar Array

Materials: Sunbrella^® Captain Navy by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Top Gun^® by Marlen Textiles, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix, 11⁄4-inch stainless steel tubing, Marine Solar Panels by Solbian

Project Description:  The customer wanted a new bimini that could provide strength and excellent coverage for shade and rain, as well as support five large flexible marine solar panels. These panels had to be accessible after the bimini was in place and there needed to be enough space for the panels, which zipped in and out, along with sewn-in cord management. The 11⁄4-inch frame was fabricated in a standard layout along with a front horizontal extension with the crown in the proper direction to flow water and add strength. This was an opportunity to mimic the overall shape of the flybridge floor plan. Project challenges included designing around a flybridge floor plan that cut in at the forward edge much more narrowly than the rest of the bridge, avoiding two large antennas at this narrower point and cutouts for rigging that hold up the mast on this trawler-style yacht. The two-piece canvas top has a removable front section that allows access to the center panels.

Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com

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Transformations (Before & After)

Award of Excellence

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
Grand Banks Transformation 

Materials:  Valmex^® Fr 580 by Mehler Texnologies, Plexiglas^® Resist 65 by Röhm GmbH, Soltis 86 and Stamoid Light by Serge Ferrari North America Inc., Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC

Project Description:  The project involved a comprehensive transformation of a Grand Banks 43-foot Europa yacht named “Beluga.” The client’s request was to do a complete makeover of the yacht, including the acrylic clears, roof, capping rail covers, coverings and mesh enclosure. The enhancements elevated both its functionality and aesthetics. This project stood out among others due to the complete trust of the client, which allowed for the transformation of the vessel without any budget limitations or time constraints. The main goal was to ensure it was executed perfectly. The design eliminated 95% of the binding, with all edges being folded to create clean and finished edges. The workmanship and the mechanics behind the process set it apart from other projects.

Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
Queensland, Australia
kustomcanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas
Fastback Camper

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, YKK Zippers by YKK^®, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., Strataglass by Strataglass LLC

Project Description: The customer wanted to enclose his XL cockpit for overnight trips while keeping the slick lines of his Sea Ray and maintaining its function as a camper. An XL stainless steel frame was fabricated out of 24-foot stock. Opting for a cantilever style instead of a traditional K frame made it possible to achieve a 10-by-10-foot bimini with only two bows. Seven curtains were hung from the top. The frame sets this job apart from other Sea Ray projects. There are also some really innovative zipper designs in this project. The aft door is a candy cane-shaped zipper that allows passenger access using only one zipper. The forward center has two of these candy cane zippers that act as U-zips that meet in the center. All of the aft panels can be rolled up or taken off and easily stored below. All of the forward panels can open up and be swung up to the arch for airflow.

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

Outstanding Achievement

Boatman Marine Canvas
Super Supra

Materials: Windward by Keyston Bros., MarineMat flooring by MarineMat, SolarFix^® 2000 Black thread by Solar Fix

Project Description:  This 2004 Supra 22-foot Ssv had lost its Supra superpowers. While the boat was already bright to begin with, the seats, swim deck and carpet were lacking razzmatazz. The boat owner loved the flashy bright colors of the boat and wanted to make it even flashier than before. He showed up with a printed list and images of what he wanted, and he handsketched the interior design in color. Once he approved the new design, work began, but shame on Supra because half of the interior seats were bolted in before the hulls were mounted together. Getting the bow cushions out required extreme ingenuity and mounting them back on required even more creativity. With the new seat design, new carpet, and blue and yellow MarineMat, it’s possible one could see this flash of a boat from space. The customer just loved it and of course got a lot of attention last summer on the water.

Boatman Marine Canvas
Oklahoma City, Okla.
boatmanmarinecanvas.com

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Travel/Full Covers

Award of Excellence

Lake Shore Boat Top Co. Inc.
Sonic Boom with a Trail of Smoke–39 Nor-Tech

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, YKK Zippers by YKK^®, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix

Project Description: This customer wanted a cover that was easy to remove and install while at his dock and that would also provide the best protection for his new vessel. A unique two-piece travel cover was fabricated using Sunbrella fabric with a snap-on application for easy installation and removal. A zipper opening was added on the port and starboard side so regardless of whether the boat is docked or on a hoist, the cover remains accessible to enter and close up when the customer is done boating for the day. This Nor-Tech powerboat is a beast, so why not design a cover that matches its character? The entire design is streamlined with the boat. What is unique about this cover is that the rear portion of the cover can be removed, and the boat can still be driven with the front cover on, if desired.  

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

Outstanding Achievement

Banner Canvas
Coon Lake Raider

Materials: Gray SOFTOUCH™ by Marlen Textiles, Gore^® Tenara^® thread by W.L. Gore & Associates Inc.

Project Description: The customer wanted a storage cover that would function for outdoor storage and protect the finish on his custom-built wooden racing boat. He wanted to cover the entire freeboard from sun damage as well as rain. The cover had to be form-fitted so that nothing vibrated against the finish of the boat, and it had to buckle down carefully so as not to scratch the finish. The back has zippered corners due to the inverted angles of the transom. Project challenges included a complex fitting process that required patterning each plane of the boat and paying special attention to devising a way to anchor the cover snug to the boat without scratching the finish. 

Banner Canvas
Ham Lake, Minn.
763 413 1104

Outstanding Achievement

Canvas Designers Inc.
Big Boys Need Covers Too

Materials: WeatherMAX^® 80 Light Charcoal and WeatherMAX SG Light Charcoal by Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc.

Project Description: The task was to create a comprehensive full boat cover for a very large Valhalla 41 equipped with a gap tower and triple 450 Mercury Verado^® motors. The cover was designed for use on a boat lift where accessing the boat can be a real challenge. The client required a cover that extended to the chines on the sides and fully over the motors. The cover design allows it to be secured from the bow, over the hardtop but through the tower, and finishing neatly over the motors. A diagonal zip-off starting from the corner of the hardtop to the transom corner and an accessible U-zip at the tuna door on the side of the boat were incorporated for ease of access and use. To ensure a snug fit and secure protection, the cover was completed with a nylon ratchet strap in a sleeve that runs around the bottom. Using 3D technology helped get the precision needed to create this functional cover.

Canvas Designers Inc.
Riviera Beach, Fla.
canvasdesigners.com

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Sailboat Dodgers & Biminis

Award of Excellence

Bespoke Boat Covers
Bavaria 39 Cruiser

Materials: Sunbrella^® Plus Dark Navy by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, vinyl by Achilles USA Inc. 

Project Description: The customer was a tall man who wanted to be able to stand up under the cover and also have great-looking canvas. The existing canvas was only 5 feet 3 inches high, and the client requested a new one measuring 6 feet 3 inches high. This required completely redesigning the shape of the existing stainless steel frame. Per the customer’s request, the canvas was redesigned as well to create a bimini top that could be used on warm days and that also offered the option of zipping on the sides when it was cold and rainy. Zippers were sewn in the front window to allow it to be opened to get more fresh air under the sprayhood. All components had to line up perfectly to work out and fit correctly together.

Bespoke Boat Covers
Nærum, Denmark
bespokeboatcovers@gmail.com

Outstanding Achievement

Chicago Marine Canvas
Woody Wants a New Dodger

Materials: Sunbrella^® Marine Blue by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Aqua-Lite^® polycarbonate by Manart-Hirsch Co., SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix

Project Description: A client with a sailing charter company requested a new dodger and bimini top because the current bimini frame was too constricting while he sailed with clients. The customer had very specific requirements for the framing that would support the bimini and dodger. Digital measurements of the entire hull were taken with a Prodim Proliner to create a rendering of what the framing and canvas would look like in relation to the rigging that was not yet installed on the sailboat. The customer wanted excellent visibility, so the decision was made to use a polycarbonate window material. The front center window was fabricated so that it could be flipped up and fastened to the top of the dodger for a completely unrestricted view while at the helm. Custom grab rails were also installed on the dodger and bimini, and dodger fasteners were switched from snaps to a track system for a cleaner look. 

Chicago Marine Canvas
Chicago, Ill.
chicagomarinecanvas.com

Outstanding Achievement

Charlton’s Marine Canvas
Aruba Dodger

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., 18-ounce vinyl-coated polyester, SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix

Project Description: The customers wanted a sailboat dodger that provided more clearance and visibility than their original dodger. To solve these issues, several modifications were made to the new dodger. It was raised 6 inches to provide more headroom for the customers when they enter the companionway, which also allows for greater visibility. The original five-piece California-style dodger was changed to three panels to eliminate the zippers in the corners, which resulted in a much cleaner look and better visibility. 

Charlton’s Marine Canvas
Yorktown, Va.
charltonsmarinecanvas.com

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Sailboat Enclosures

Award of Excellence

Lake Shore Boat Top Co. Inc.
Just a Little Wind Please

Materials: Sunbrella^® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., Strataglass by Strataglass LLC

Project Description:: This project was a California-style dodger with rigid polycarbonate windows and custom stainless steel handrails for a 45-foot Beneteau Oceanis. Fabrication included the 1-inch stainless steel framework for the dodger, rear bimini top and custom arch. It is one of the largest sailboat projects the team has ever fabricated. The customer was an engineer who wanted all the enclosure panels to work in a particular way with strict design requirements. The job was fabricated with nine Strataglass enclosure window panels along with four solid duplicate screen panels, which are interchangeable to provide the customer with maximum ventilation. Although confident in the workmanship, with such a particular client, the team was very nervous to show him the final results. When he looked at the job, he gave a  huge smile and said, “This is why I went with your company.”

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

Outstanding Achievement

Hayden Island Canvas
Cascade 34

Materials: Sunbrella^® Forest Green by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, Top Gun^® Birch by Marlen Textiles, TUFFAK^® Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., O’Sea^® polished 40-gauge vinyl by O’Sullivan Films Inc., SolarFix^® thread by Solar Fix

Project Description: The owner of this Cascade 34 wanted an upgrade after having removed the old hardtop. He wanted a functional enclosure for offshore sailing and a rack on the bimini for more solar panels in the future. Fabrication included frames for the dodger and bimini, along with Marine 5 panels in the dodger, and vinyl panels for the rest of the enclosure. Easy- access zippers were added in the middle port and starboard panels, with overlaps to enter the cockpit without having to roll up the panels, which instead fold back and snap into place. Project challenges included providing winch access with full handle rotation with the enclosure in place and a bump-out for the odd-shaped cockpit where the dodger was. The aft hatchway had to be avoided, along with the owner’s previously mounted side solar panels, and the bimini frame needed to mount outside of the enclosure but have the panels come inside the frame.

Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com

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Powerboat – Uniquely Different

Award of Excellence

Yacht Canvas Inc.
Sleek Chaps & Engine Cover

Materials: WeatherMAX^® 3D by Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc., Sunbrella^® Horizon^™ by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC

Project Description: Dinghy chaps are a unique endeavor. They’re as close to dressmaking as a canvas person gets, involving detailed form-fit sewing. One of the significant challenges is how to attach the chaps to the dinghy. A variety of techniques were used for this project, which involved experimenting with WeatherMAX 3D. During templating, every contour was captured accurately. In construction, omitting any seam allowance proved beneficial for achieving the perfect fit. The canvas body and various cutouts and reinforcements were constructed with Horizon by Sunbrella.  The registration numbers were added to the port and starboard bow with a vinyl heat press. An outer bungee drawstring under the rub rail secured with pad eyes was used to attach the chaps to the dinghy. Internally, a drawstring with D-rings, snaps and pad eyes were incorporated to enhance both the fit and final appearance. At the customer’s request, a running engine cover for the outboard with appropriate vents and fittings was fabricated to protect it from UV damage.

Yacht Canvas Inc.
Annapolis, Md.
yachtcanvasinc.com

Outstanding Achievement

Boatman Marine Canvas
Vintage Lola

Material: Aqualon^® Edge Soft by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC

Project Description: The client races vintage race cars as a hobby. He wanted a custom cockpit cover that was trailerable and that would stay on and protect this $250 million “Go Speed Racer” from the elements while traveling at 80 mph on the highway. It’s one of those jobs that looks small and simple but was deceivingly complicated due to the roll bar, which had a center support. The rearview mirror and the side mirror had to be booted to make the cover as streamlined as possible. Aqualon Edge Soft material was used to protect the car, and careful attention was paid to the snap base placement. Every snap had to be drilled and bolted. Directional snaps were used on the front and back of the cover to ensure that the snaps would stay in place while being towed. The customer loved the cover, and it trailers well. “Go Speed Racer,” go! 

Boatman Marine Canvas
Oklahoma City, Okla.
boatmanmarinecanvas.com