The frame is the foundation of your boat top. It supports the canvas top and all other canvas that will be attached to the top. The frame adds tightness to the canvas, which helps water runoff and the tight look of a good top. A strong frame shapes your top and counteracts the effects of [...]

Industry experts tell their procedures for keeping fabric and equipment clean and functioning properly. Quality-conscious fabricators demand top-quality components for their end products. Boat owners will insist that fabricators use high-quality, durable materials. The weakest link in any marine product is the quality of the materials that go into making it. With a little investigation [...]

One man takes on a pontoon cover that combines size with detailing. The customer knew exactly what he wanted when he showed up at Bud’s Upholstery in Signal Hill, Calif., towing a well-kept 2006 Odyssey Tri-Toon. Before “The stock boat cover on my Odyssey is getting tired,” he said. “I’d like a new, [...]

SeaCanvas, Egg Harbor Township, N.J. In November 2006, Alex Bell of Mariner Canvas Co., New Bern, N.C., a beloved member of MFA, passed away unexpectedly. The MFA renamed the New Member Award in his memory. This project, which won the Alex Bell New Member Award of the 2009 MFA Awards, involved the design of a [...]

It's all in the numbers. Triangulation can be an effective tool to increase your productivity and profit margin. Every canvas installer should familiarize themselves with triangulation. As long as you are able to read a tape measure, you can understand how to use triangulation fairly easily. Once an installer understands what triangulation can do, they [...]

North Beach Marine Canvas, San Francisco, Calif. This project, which one an Award of Excellence in the salon/dinette upholstery category of the 2009 MFA Awards, involved the complete new upholstery for the interior of this Hylas 40 for the live-aboard couple. The couple wanted perfection in every detail, way beyond the factory standard. They requested [...]

DRH Canvas & Marine Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia This project, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award in the cockpit upholstery category of the 2009 MFA Awards, involved the complete new cockpit upholstery for a 1992 26-foot Chaparral with all new substrates and foam. The client wanted a new look and to replace the rotten wood. [...]

Enewhere Custom Canvas, Brooklyn, N.Y. This project, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award in the exterior upholstery category of the 2009 MFA Awards, called for a complete redesign and rebuild of the exterior upholstery for a 38-foot Fountain. This was an extensive project. It involved rebuilding the helm seats, side panels, aft bench and aft [...]

The Nautical Needle, Holland, Mich. This project, which won an Award of Excellence in the state room upholstery category of the 2009 MFA Awards, involved a 31-foot Tiara having a fabric date crisis. It needed a new comforter, sheets, a curtain, pillows and the side rails recovered. The fabric selection was perfect for this space [...]

Seafarer Canvas, Norwalk, Conn. This project, which won an Award of Excellence in the exterior upholstery category of the 2009 MFA Awards, resulted in the complete reconstruction and reupholstery of all the exterior cushions on a 39-foot Sea Ray. The original cushions were torn apart by racoons. The damage was so extensive that it was [...]