Cushions for a lean mean fishing machine
May 1st, 2014
The end use of a boat really dictates how Trevor makes his cushions at Kennedy Custom Upholstery. So last summer when we were asked to make all new cushions for a charter fishing boat, we knew we had to make them as tough as possible while still looking like a high-end custom product. The boat […]
Repair or Replace? Part 1: Posing the Question
March 1st, 2014
A customer wanders into your store with a tattered and torn bimini top in hand—one that obviously has seen better days. Although the boat owner requests repairs be done to his beloved top, your better judgment foresees the need for a complete replacement. So how do you handle this situation? How do you ensure your […]
Repair or Replace? Part 2: Make your best bid
March 1st, 2014
Don’t undersell the quality of your work in effort to win the job. You’ve just landed a dozen bid requests for repair or replacement projects. Based on your estimate, it is expected that these jobs will yield a healthy profit. But how will you ensure that this healthy profit will materialize? Or that you’ve estimated […]
Going hi-tech
January 1st, 2014
Faster, better, smarter: Is there always a way to get there? Maybe. And yet it’s not easy to determine what is faster, better or smarter for any one marine fabrication shop. Technological advancements in three-dimensional software and hardware engineering are changing the way many fabricators do business. While some programs might be cost-prohibitive for certain […]
Stand out
January 1st, 2014
"The past years’ economic challenges have not been a problem for my business—in fact, I think they’ve made my business even stronger because I’ve separated my business from the competition,” says Dave Elliot, owner of David’s Custom Trimmers, Brisbane, Australia. “We offer products other similar businesses don’t offer in terms of strength and neatness, and […]
Contingency plan: An unexpected breakup leads to solo success
July 1st, 2013
"I think the most significant lesson I’ve learned over the past couple of years is not to get too comfortable,” says Cindy Boersema, owner of The Nautical Needle in Holland, Mich. “Being a business owner is not about relying on others to always be there to work for you and with you—because they can be […]
Made in the shade
January 1st, 2013
A decade ago, shading on boats was relegated to permanent or semi-permanent structures. Marine fabricators, however, started to experiment with removable shade structures, and boaters got on board. “With all the concern about sun exposure and skin cancer, shade tops have really come to the forefront of people’s minds,” says Keith Purves of Riverside Covers […]
Exceptional boat exteriors
September 1st, 2012
The economic downturn left nearly every market in a state of unrest, and the boating industry is no exception. In the past several years, fewer boats have been built, but the news isn’t all bad, as fabricators and OEMs are turning a sluggish marketplace into opportunity. “The volume of units is not what it was, […]
Say yes to the odd request
September 1st, 2012
"The relationships we’ve built that have resulted in revenue streams weren’t something we went looking for; they came to us,” says Jeri Perillo, president of Custom Canvas of Charleston in Charleston, S.C. “If you do a good job on the small stuff, the big stuff will follow.” Jeri, who purchased the marine canvas shop with […]
Intelligent boat interiors
July 1st, 2012
Updates to a boat’s interior design and upholstery provide boat owners the opportunity to easily express their individuality through their boat’s appearance. Options for creative expression have never been greater thanks to new colors, textures and patterns produced in high-performance fabrics. Fabric trends Industry leaders point to fabrics with linen-like textures and bold colors and […]