• Cockpit cover fabrication tips

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

    By Leo Pohlmann, in collaboration with Zach Pohlmann Throughout my 30 years of marine canvas experience as the owner of Uncharted Marine Canvas, I’ve seen many trends come and go. One that has emerged within the past five to 10 years is the creation of cockpit covers on sportfishing boats. Located in the Florida Panhandle, [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Tools, tips and tricks

    Published On: July 1, 2020Categories: Shop Techniques

    These are submissions to the Marine Fabricators Conference Tools, Tips and Tricks contest.  Tip 1 : Grommet foot pedal This custom foot pedal for our pneumatic Edward Segal grommet machine allows us to maneuver large pieces of fabric with both hands in order to set grommets more quickly and accurately, instead of holding the fabric with [...]

  • Simple, leak-free U-zip

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

    By Keith Purves, MFC One of the most useful, purposeful and absolutely frustrating features on a clear vinyl enclosure is the simple U-zip. A properly built U-zip looks good, opens and closes easily, and allows boaters the freedom of having the wind in their hair or the full protection of an enclosure when Mother Nature [...]

  • Tools, tips and tricks

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

    These are submissions to the 2020 Marine Fabricators Conference Tools, Tips and Tricks contest and Marine Fabricator magazine.  Tip 1  Mini fabric table saw Here’s a slightly dangerous, but effective little tip. Hammer a nice, sharp razor blade at a 45-degree angle into your cutting table. Keep the fabric flat and push or pull it [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • Jumping on the design trend bandwagon

    Published On: March 3, 2020Categories: Features, Shop Techniques

    Selecting the right flooring and fabric is often about balancing something fresh with something that will stand the test of time. Project by WBC Design. Photo: Forrest Johnson. Embrace new design materials with knowledge and caution. by Sigrid Tornquist “Customers are always looking to us, the materials manufacturers, to guide them on trends while bringing [...]

  • Wake tower bimini smarts

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

    By Clint Halladay Here in Salt Lake City, Utah, towboats are king. We have a few lakes with cruisers, but for the most part, it’s day trips to the lake to play. We have one of the highest boat ownerships per capita in the country. Because of this, we have some of the biggest towboat [...]

  • 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. [...]

  • Tools, tips and tricks

    Published On: March 1, 2020Categories: Shop Techniques

    These are submissions to the 2020 Marine Fabricators Conference Tools, Tips and Tricks contest.  Tip 1  Clever solo measuring trick Installing a snap stud on your tape measure can help you simplify measuring when you're working alone. Being that I do most of my measuring alone, I’ve always struggled with getting the end of the [...]