• Foam with a flourish

    Published On: January 1, 2022Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    This dash and helm pod cover was a 2021 MFA Award of Excellence winner. Helm pod covers are padded with a very thin layer of foam, if any. This one has foam with 1.5 density and a 70 ILD. Foam is everywhere. It is in engines, rugs, mattresses, boat seats and most things we interact [...]

  • Wallcoverings for vessel interiors

    Published On: July 1, 2021Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    Padded bumper side wall panels create a cozy setting, and the large horizontal vinyl wall panels in the main salon of this Bertram 50 give it a modern touch. Photo: Bertram Yachts. By Terri Madden and Alayna Wool Wall panels and headliners make a statement when entering the saloon of a yacht. Much like the [...]

  • Advanced cushion fabrication

    Published On: May 1, 2021Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    By Mark Hood, MFC This photo shows the shell pattern salon cushions on an old Jarvis Newman powerboat. This Downeast classic style boat was owned by the author’s brother for many years. Compartment cushions can be challenging to fabricate. In this article, we will go step-by-step to fabricate a sample compartment cushion with a knee [...]

  • Making custom projects look easy

    Published On: March 1, 2021Categories: Interior

    Take the project space into consideration when offering recommendations to your customers, especially the size and repeat of materials with large patterns. by Terri Madden and Alayna Wool A frequent challenge of our job as marine fabricators is making new marine interiors look like they could be featured in a Hollywood movie. Custom jobs require [...]

  • Working successfully in tight interior spaces

    Published On: January 1, 2021Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    L-sofa before and after. It's important to evaluate whether items should be transported to the shop or completed on-site due to vessel constraints. By Terri Madden and Alayna Wool Before signing a client contract for a new interior project, it’s important to consider any unforeseen obstacles you might encounter on the job. This will help [...]

  • Benefits of project boards for custom projects

    Published On: September 1, 2020Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    by Terri Madden  The familiar adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” is especially apt when it comes to a project board, a visual summary of all of a project’s components. A project board confirms that you have understood your customer’s requests, and it helps your staff understand and correctly fabricate the details for [...]

  • Your business can survive this pandemic

    Published On: July 1, 2020Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    By Terri Madden The COVID-19 pandemic offers opportunities and challenges. Hood Canvas LLC (above) and Signature CanvasMakers (below) are providing PPE to meet community needs and provide income to employees. When I moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and registered my business 23 years ago, I had only $2,000 in my pocket. It bought me [...]

  • 2020 boat show highlights

    Published On: May 1, 2020Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    New trends in marine upholstery. By Terri Madden Marine fabricators can find the latest design innovations for marine canvas and upholstery by attending any of the top U.S. boat shows sponsored annually by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). It is an ideal way for fabricators to glimpse the newest innovations in design, construction, equipment [...]

  • Part Two: Knee-rise lumbar cushions stapled to a firm base

    Published On: March 1, 2020Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    By Terri Madden In the January/February 2020 Marine Fabricator article “Part One: Fabricating knee-rise contour cushions,” I walked you through the steps to fabricate hi/lo knee-rise marine seating independent of a firm base. To achieve a similar stylish and impressive result, you can also fabricate this type of seating using a wood or PVC base. [...]

  • Part One: Fabricating knee-rise contour cushions

    Published On: January 1, 2020Categories: Interior, Shop Techniques

    By Terri Madden Stylish, durable hi-lo/knee-rise contour cushions have become extremely popular. Translating a customer request for durable, comfortable and impressive contour cushions when you’re starting with a blank canvas can be quite challenging. Stylish, durable hi-lo/knee-rise contour cushions have become extremely popular. Executing these successfully can elevate your company. However, a project with contour [...]