• Bending plastic for new applications

    Published On: July 1, 2012Categories: Interiors & Upholstery

    A customer brought in this 1923 T-Bucket and requested a show-quality interior that was easily removable - it takes less than one minute to remove. The interior and drink holders are molded out of PVC board and upholstered. Custom bending and forming bolsters from Starboard and PVC board and inside corner wraps can [...]

  • Finishing small windows

    Published On: May 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles

    A Hood traditional dodger with its side panel fabricated using the method shown in this article. At Hood Canvas we have a method of sandwiching our window material between two layers of fabric. It is not unique to us, and we know of other fabricators who use this method in their enclosure fabrication. [...]

  • Techniques for installing marine carpet

    Published On: May 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles

    This aluminum bass boat's new sharp blue carpet replaced the original dark gray color, which was too hot and looked dirty all the time. It’s that time of year when the trailered boats get hauled out and the projects begin. At Racine Design, we are always busy with regular upholstery and canvas jobs [...]

  • That’s a wrap: business opportunities in boat graphics

    Published On: March 1, 2012Categories: Features, New Markets, Projects

    In today’s challenging market, many in the marine fabrication industry are looking for ways to diversify their businesses and offer new services to clients. One service area that could be a logical fit is boat wrapping. As an almost 30-year veteran of the boat painting and wrapping industry, I have witnessed the development of the [...]

  • Reinforce dodger top panels

    Published On: March 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles, Projects

    Two new Hood California- style dodgers cross paths in Beverly, Mass., Harbor. Our side reinforcing method is used in the dodger top panels. At Hood Canvas we developed a method of folding in the sides of our California dodger top panels to reinforce the edge. We did not like the look of binding [...]

  • Cover zippers for a clean, quality look

    Published On: March 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles

    This is a zipper for a 3-inch foam seat cushion. When someone inspects a piece of furniture, such as a chest of drawers, they remove a drawer to see how it was constructed. What are they looking for? Dovetail ends, of course. Even though these are not visible from the outside, the craftsmanship [...]

  • Wide fabric reinforcements

    Published On: January 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles, Projects

    A CW Hood Yachts Wasque 26 outfitted with Hood Canvas and our project aft cover. Notice the stitch lines on the aft cover. There are many good ways to reinforce aft covers or mooring covers. At Hood Canvas, we like the look and strength that wide reinforcements provide. They require more time, effort [...]

  • Solid foundations start with good wood

    Published On: January 1, 2012Categories: How-To Articles, Interiors & Upholstery

    We’ve all been there. You start a new upholstery job by removing the old fabric and find a little surprise: rotten wood. And although you were aware that some of the pieces would have to be replaced, there was no way of knowing that the damage was so extensive. Now you have to contact the [...]

  • Fantastic fabric makeover

    Published On: January 1, 2012Categories: Features, Interiors & Upholstery

    The transformation of a classic sailboat emphasizes the importance of communication between owner and fabricator. By Mark Brock A quality marine canvas project requires careful attention to hundreds of details, from fabric and thread selection to specifications for grommets and zippers. Despite all of these technical details, success with a fabric transformation aboard ship is [...]

  • Fabricating a Navy top

    Published On: September 1, 2011Categories: How-To Articles, Projects

    Our Wasque 32 project boat with Hood Canvas leaving CW Hood Yachts in Marblehead, Mass. This boat was featured on Channel 5 Boston's Chronicle News Magazine. In the last article (July/Aug issue), we patterned a Navy top in one step at my brother Chris Hood’s boat building facility, CW Hood Yachts, in Marblehead, [...]