• Inspiration

    Published On: March 1, 2021Categories: Shop Techniques

    Award of Excellence/Award of Distinction (Upholstery) Marine Exterior Upholstery B's Kustom KreationsJefferson City, Mo. U.S.A. www.bkkllc.com This elegant project by B's Kustom Kreations won an Award of Excellence in the Marine Exterior Upholstery category and an Award of Distinction in the Upholstery category. The project included recovering the upper side panels, buckets seats and rear seats, [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Inspiration

    Published On: January 1, 2021Categories: Shop Techniques

    Marine FabricationHawkes Bay Trim and CanvasHastings, Hawkes Bay, NZ hbtrimandcanvas@xtra.co.nz The project goal was to update an existing canopy and undertake a complete interior fit-out, which included all new linings and new seating on this live-a-board yacht. Project challenges included working on multiple platforms and at different times around many tradespeople. The patterning took place while [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Track-to-track enclosure fabrication

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

    This custom Makrolon enclosure is on a Dix 57 steel-hulled sailing sloop restored by the author's friends over the past 18 years. Photo taken in Smiths Cove, Gloucester, Mass. By Mark Hood, MFC At Hood Canvas, we fabricate rigid panels frequently. We have devised a method of fabricating these panels that is more mainstream than [...]

  • Books that improved me and my business

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

    Self-education comes in many forms. By Chris Ritsema  Education is a valuable asset when it comes to success in life and business. Going to college is the standard road map many people use to get an education that helps them succeed, but I never really enjoyed the classroom. I wanted to get out and get [...]

  • Free webinar discusses marine industry software tools

    Published On: November 24, 2020Categories: ATA News, Events, Industry News, News, Shop Techniques

    The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is hosting a free webinar on Dec. 15, 2020, for IFAI members ($39 for non-members) discussing software specifically designed for marine fabricators. As the marine textile industry converts to mostly digital processes, this webinar will discuss software that can dramatically speed up the development of accurate 3D models and [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Smarter upholstery patterning

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

    By Steven Wayne One of the worst upholstery projects to tackle are cushions that boat owners have let go to the point of no return. Customers often have an unrealistic sense of what’s involved in creating the finished product. Yet, even these projects can be streamlined with the right processes and procedures. Upholstery. It’s a [...]

  • Imagining new ways to create shade

    Published On: August 31, 2020Categories: Exterior, Features, Industry News, Shop Techniques

    Whitney Carman chose WeatherMAX® 3D for this Viking 80’s 15-by-15-foot temporary shade structure. Panels were individually cut into triangles to create a symmetrical design aesthetic. Photo: Even Keel Canvas LLC. Whitney Carman relies on lateral thinking and relationship building to create innovative shade solutions. By Sigrid Tornquist “I think one of the reasons my projects [...]