Are your marketing efforts attracting the types of clients and projects you’re interested in? If not, how should you go about it? The first step, obviously, is creating quality projects. And then you need to get the word out to your desired clients. For Midwesterners like myself, tooting our own horns can feel uncomfortable, but [...]

The 2022 Regional MFA workshop was held over two days in February at Charlton’s Marine Canvas in Yorktown, Va. Event host Mike Charlton led education sessions on banded top installation and polycarbonate enclosure construction and techniques. The first in-person regional MFA workshop since 2019 was held over two days in February at Charlton’s Marine Canvas [...]

Marine Fabricators Association welcomes the following new members. For complete contact information, visit www.ifai.com/marine. The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) provides resources and programs for marine fabricators and establishes standards of excellence for business practices, products and craftsmanship. The MFA is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Join the only trade association today [...]

Oct. 12–14, 2022 IFAI Expo 2022 Charlotte Convention Center Charlotte, N.C. ifaiexpo.com Jan. 26–28, 2023 MFA Conference 2023  Sheraton New Orleans New Orleans, La. ifai.com/marineconference Sept. 9–11, 2022 North Coast Harbor Boat Show  North Coast Harbor Marina Cleveland, Ohio northcoastharborboatshow.com Sept. 9–11, 2022 Wooden Boat Festival Northwest Maritime Center Port Townsend, Wash. woodenboat.org

Matt’s Motortrimming won a 2021 IAA Outstanding Achievement Award in the Marine Interior Upholstery category for the seating, squabs and headboards on this Dickey Semifly 45. Project materials include Spradling Silvertex® vinyl and Enduro liner vinyl. Owner Matt Forbes says most of his work comes through referrals, although he also uses social media to display [...]

Greg Keeler, Oyster Creek Canvas Co., was working for a dive company 21 years ago when he was offered a $300 a month rental space. He says he had no idea what to do with the space, “but then I acquired an antique sewing machine and started learning to use it.” Photo: Steve Johnston-ExposureLeak If [...]

For this feature, we asked our contributors to send us information about their high-performing products. The product information was submitted by the participating manufacturers and suppliers by the established deadline. The products are organized into three categories: Fabric, Film & Foam; Equipment, Tools & Miscellaneous; and Hardware and Findings. You can see the 2022 Premier [...]

A Hood bimini enclosure on a Beneteau Swift Trawler 42. The forward enclosure panels are tucked under the windshield to the fasteners with a seam hidden along the edge of the windshield by fabric strips. Pattern darting is a useful technique to have in any marine fabricator’s toolbox. This article will provide an example of [...]

At Interiors by Dawn, the ultimate cushion design—which provides increased drainage and airflow, reduced mold and mildew growth and longevity—is always evolving. This is not for every customer or project; we tailor and customize our cushions to fit each individual project. However, we make sure to discuss these options with customers so they understand what’s [...]

The recent proliferation of well-publicized cyberattacks has revealed ransomware to be a serious national security threat. Still largely hidden from public view, however, are the attacks on small businesses, including many within the industrial, specialty and advanced textile industry, that don’t make the headlines. Surprisingly, while ransomware attacks have become a multibillion-dollar threat, the average [...]