MFA 2015 Fabrication Excellence Awards
March 1st, 2015
Recognizes excellence in marine fabrication. By Maura Keller Sponsored by the Marine Fabricators Association, the Fabrication Excellence Awards contest is designed to recognize excellence in marine fabrication. The entries are displayed throughout the MFA National Convention and are judged by a panel of Master Fabric Craftsmen. Awards of Excellence and Outstanding Achievement Awards are given […]
Enclosure fabrication details
September 1st, 2013
At Hood Canvas, we have a unique method of fabrication that we teach to our students. Many shops around the world are now using our specialized large binder in their shops on a daily basis. This article will provide additional details into the way we reduce the time necessary to produce quality enclosures using our […]
Tackling patterning variations
September 1st, 2012
At Hood Canvas we have two variations of our patterning technique. The first is our one-step process in which we make our entire pattern in one trip to the boat. The second is our two-step process that we use for larger bimini enclosure patterns. Our two-step process utilizes elements of the one-step process to fabricate […]
Fabricating a Navy top
September 1st, 2011
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, Mass. In this article, we head back to our shop in Merrimac, Mass., to develop our pattern and fabricate the top and side curtains together. We have received […]
Fabricating bimini enclosure corners
July 1st, 2010
I am going to discuss what we refer to in our shop as “natural intersections.” I have been on so many boats with gaps to the outside at the bimini corners. These gaps allow water to enter the enclosure, which is unacceptable in quality canvas fabrication. There are many acceptable ways of fabricating canvas to […]
Patterning an enclosure
May 1st, 2010
At Hood Canvas, we always precut our pattern blanks to rough size, including any center lines. Most custom shops T-pin the enclosure pattern to the bottom half of the zipper on the bimini. We prefer to stay-stitch the bottom half of the zippers onto the top of the pattern blanks and make adjustments to the […]
Fabricating an enclosure
January 1st, 2010
My wife Deb and I have run Hood Canvas for the better part of 30 years. I attribute most of my skills in the early years to the late Ralph Hulsman of the Oakum Bay Canvas Co. in Marblehead, Mass. We spent many hours together exchanging ideas on napkins in area restaurants. The way we […]
Proper frame design
September 1st, 2009
The frame is the foundation of your boat top. It supports the canvas top and all other canvas that will be attached to the top. The frame adds tightness to the canvas, which helps water runoff and the tight look of a good top. A strong frame shapes your top and counteracts the effects of […]
Custom pilot house allows customer to see clearly
July 1st, 2008
This 1994 Monterey 265 SEL came from the factory with a substantial stock pilot house of traditional clear plastic panels secured to heavy fabric by hefty zippers. After four years of living with the stock version, the second owner of the boat, an avid yachtswoman in Southern California, decided to replace the worn and tired […]