John Cavender, owner of Cavco Canvas Inc., in Centreville, Md., runs Boat Canvas University, where future fabricators learn about adhesives and fastening techniques for essential projects on boats such as this one. Photo: Cavco Canvas Inc. For many boat clients, life on board is about the sun glinting off a shiny hull, comfortable upholstery, glistening [...]

This craft has acrylic windows, one of the most popular material choices. But for many boat owners, the decision is not always easy because each choice has pros and cons. Photo: Chicago Marine Canvas Selecting boat windows for customers might be the hardest thing a fabricator can do—or the easiest. Most customers have two primary [...]

Expertise plays an important role in a successful marine business. However, a fabricator might be highly skilled, with lines of customers and a backlog of projects, and that’s still no assurance the business will remain viable in the long run. If pricing is at odds with costs, the effect on the bottom line could be [...]

For this feature, we asked our contributors to send us information about their high-performing products. The product information was submitted by the participating manufacturers and suppliers by the established deadline. The products are organized into three categories: Fabric, Film & Foam; Equipment, Tools & Miscellaneous; and Hardware & Findings. You can see the 2023 Premier [...]

Sunfly shades are a popular choice for customers of Charlton’s Marine Canvas. They are increasingly drawn to more temporary solutions that won’t permanently affect the boat’s looks and are easy to put up and take down. Photo: Charlton’s Marine Canvas Changing consumer trends, evolving boat designs, and fabric and materials advancements are giving marine fabricators [...]

Mike Charlton begins most weekdays with a leisurely cup of coffee on his back porch with his wife and business partner, Rachel Charlton, in Yorktown, Va. They typically leave for work by 9 a.m., where they fabricate custom marine canvas projects until 5 p.m.—at the latest.  Mike and Rachel Charlton have prioritized flexibility in their [...]

Metal work on a boat is both a functional and an aesthetic decision. Here, Lakeside Marine Canvas of Buford, Ga., installed a “hoop back” frame on a cruiser to extend the bimini past what the manufacturer offers. Photo: Lakeside Marine Canvas Inc. Fabricating frames, tubing, hardware and other items can present a quandary for marine [...]

Photo: Dreamstime. When you’re a marine fabricator with a mobile unit, you’re often at a competitive advantage. Not only can you offer customers fast, convenient repairs and service, but you’re often able to recruit business from other boat owners who notice you at their marinas. Vendors who are fully mobile can save money on brick-and-mortar [...]

Needles and threads are essential for keeping marine fabrication projects looking and performing their best, but their role is often taken for granted—until something goes sideways that is. When a thread or needle is wrong for the job or is of poor quality, the consequences can be aggravating—or even worse. The correct choice matters Choose [...]

Tony Troxell of Fine Line Canvas and Upholstery in Fountain, Colo., enjoys seeing the boat covers he makes being used in the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountain state. It’s a good thing, too, since he makes about 100 covers a year. Photo: Fine Line Canvas and Upholstery Remember the old adage that the only [...]