Author: Abigail Grenz

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United Airlines Aircraft Cover

Back in 2020 when Covid19 was at its peak there wasn’t as many flights taking off. This resulted in many United aircrafts being grounded and planes being stored.

As a result, animals were finding their way into the engines. And with the landing gears sitting outside exposed for so long, this led to the need for many covers and fast.

United reached out to us and within a few weeks we mass produced landing gear and engine intake/exhaust covers for over 75 aircrafts. The airplane models were A319, A320, 737, 757, 767, and 777. 

Although we hope they never need to use all of the covers again under these circumstances, this was still one of our favorite projects to work on. 

To make these covers we first had to go to O’Hare airport with our 3D portable measuring device to get the measurements of the engines and landing gears. Once the measurements are taken, we are able to create a digital template on the computer. From there our automatic cutting table cuts the fabrics. Then aseamstress sew all the pieces together. 

As you may know, we are commonly known for our marine canvas work. But what you might not know is we work on all kinds of sewing/upholstery projects. In the past, we have made patio furniture covers, sunshades, grill covers, equipment bags, and so much more. 

Check out this page to learn more about the other non-marine projects that we have worked on. Essentially, if you can image it, we can create it!

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Dockside Decking – Custom Logo

For this project, medium grey over light grey Dockside Decking was added to the swim platform and steps. It is a great addition to swim platforms since it a non-skid marine flooring product designed for rugged marine environments. 

When adding the decking to their boat, many people choose to add their boats name or custom logo. Just like with embroidery, we work together with the customer to match their vison and create the perfect design. 

Dockside Decking is a polyethylene based; UV-resistant closed-cell PE/EVA foam product currently available in over 10 color patterns. It’s soft on your feet and provides excellent traction when wet or dry. It also won’t absorb troublesome liquids that can be found on a deck like motor oil, fish blood, wine, ect! It is also very easy to maintain and keep clean. 

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Full Enclosure, Dockside Decking, Cockpit Carpeting – Sea ray Sundancer

For this 1994 Sea Ray Sundancer we did a range of projects including adding Dockside Decking to the swim platform, a full enclosure with a new aft frame, and cockpit carpeting.

Doing multiple projects on a boat simultaneously is a great way to see a brand-new transformation when complete. 

We use many labor-saving, cost-effective tools when creating these projects that help us speed up our process. We first go out to your boat to take precise measurements for each of the projects using our 3D measuring device. Then we head back to the shop and start our design process.

Full Enclosure

Adding an enclosure to your boat is a great way to protect both you and the boat from the sun or rain. This makes it easy to boat in any types of Chicago weather. 

After getting the measurements from the 3D measuring device, we create a digital template on the computer of the enclosure. From there the seamstresses are able to start sewing together the canvas enclosure. 

Dockside Decking

For this project, Dockside Decking was added to the swim platform and steps. Dockside Decking is great for swim platforms since it a non-skid marine flooring product designed for rugged marine environments. 

Dockside Decking also won’t absorb troublesome liquids that can be found on a deck like motor oil, fish blood, wine, ect! It is also very easy to maintain and keep clean. 

Custom logos or the boats name can be added onto the decking. Check out this project!  

Cockpit Carpeting

Cockpit Carpeting is a great way to keep the interior and exterior of your boat clean while creating traction for walking on. The high-quality carpeting, we use is by Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl. 

The vinyl that it’s made of is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, so mold and mildew cannot grow here! Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl dries quickly and can never get soaked by any liquid. According to Infinity fabrics, if their flooring is submerged in water, it will actually float, not sink like typical carpeting.

There are new designs rolling out all the time and over 100 designs and patterns to choose from. To learn more about the carpeting and its benefits, go here. 

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Aft Cover

For this Sea Ray we made a Forest Green aft cover using Sunbrella fabric and SolarFix thread.

Aft Covers are one of the most common types of boat covers in Chicago. You’ll see them a lot due to the overwhelming amount of cruiser style boats in the harbor. 

Aft Covers can be all canvas, have an eisenglass window in the back or be entirely made from eisenglass. But the last style is more common on complete enclosures. They are attached to other canvas panels and/or a radar arch with zippers and then to the boat by snaps.

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Double Sunpads – Sea Ray Sundancer 40

These double sun pads were made for a 2004 Sea Ray Sundancer 40 using Sunbrella’s Adaptation Indigo fabric. Which comes with a 5-year warranty.

It was also made with Dri-Fast Foam that causes it to dry very fast. Since Drifast foam is a firm open celled foam that is very porous, it allows water to run through it easily, instead of absorbing it like other closed cell foams.

Having double sunpads instead of one giant one makes it easy to move and store. Since the sunpads are fully customizable, we have had customers make one, two, and three for this type of boat. 

These sun pads have built in headrests help with max comfort while relaxing. Sunpads are made with 3″ tampered foam, whereas the head rests are elevated to 6″.

It has integrated pockets and cup holders in the headrest to hold drinks, phones, and other valuables. No more having to worry about your phone sliding into the water while you’re relaxing.

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Double Sunpads – Chapparral 330 Signature

On this 2018 Chapparral Signature 330 we made double sunpads using Spectrum Sand Sunbrella Fabric and SolarFix thread. 

These sun pads have built in headrests help with max comfort while relaxing. Sunpads are made with 3″ tampered foam, whereas the head rests are elevated to 6″.

Two sets of Cup holders, and pockets, were added onto the headrest to keep valuables in place when relaxing.

It was also made with Dri-Fast Foam that causes it to dry very fast. Since Drifast foam is a firm open celled foam that is very porous, it allows water to run through it easily, instead of absorbing it like other closed cell foams.

Sunbrella fabrics are highly durable and resistant to abrasions, weather, mold and mildew. And all Sunbrella fabrics come with a 5-year warranty.

Check out our page here to learn more about how to keep your fabric looking new and the cleaning process.

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Dockside Decking – Sea Ray Sundancer 280

For this 2005 Sea Ray Sundancer 280 we installed dockside decking to the swim platform. It is a non-skid marine flooring product designed for rugged marine environments. This customer chose brown over black for their material color. 

Dockside Decking is a polyethylene based, UV-resistant closed-cell PE/EVA foam product currently available in over 10 color patterns. It’s soft on your feet and provides excellent traction when wet or dry.

In addition to its good looks, it won’t absorb those troublesome liquids typically found on deck. Such as motor oil, fish blood, red wine or beer! Lastly, it is easy to clean and is stain resistant.

Check out this page to learn more

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Process of a Custom Canvas

The Process

  1. After receiving all of the customers information, project details and deposit, we are able to start the process of creating their canvas. The first thing we do in our process is take measurements using our digitized canvas measuring system. This measuring system is a quick and efficient way to make a template of the boat without needing the actual boat or old canvas at our shop.
  2. After measuring the boat, we use the measurements to create the digital template on the computer. From there we are then able to start cutting the fabrics using an automated fabric cutting table. Once the fabric is cut the seamstresses get to work sewing it all together, and the hardware is added.
  3. Now that the project is complete our team installs the canvas onto the boat. If necessary, the canvas may be brought back for minor adjustments. It’s as simple as that!

DIGITAL MEASURING

Chicago Marine Canvas uses the most advanced measuring and manufacturing processes available to the industry today. Our digitized canvas measuring process uses laser technology that gives us pinpoint accurate dimensions. Which then translates to a 3D template of your boat and new cover.

This not only gives you a perfectly tight boat canvas, but it also reduces our manufacturing time by up to 80% which saves you money.

We have used this process for full enclosures, cockpit covers, framing upholstery (new and reupholster), eisenglass window replacement, carpeting and much more. Please view at some recent projects we’ve worked on to see the results.

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Cruisers Yachts Full Bridge Enclosure and Aft Panels

On this Cruisers Yachts 3950 Aft Cabin we made a full bridge enclosure and aft panels. This project was made using Strataglass for the windows and Black Sunbrella Marine Fabric. Also, we made sure to design this enclosure with maximum visibility. 

The project has a variety of different Strataglass windows including rollup windows and door panels. Throughout the project we used SolarFix thread. SolarFix thread is specifically made to be resistant to harmful UV rays and weathering. SolarFix thread also comes with a lifetime guarantee. 

 

Rigid enclosures are made from a flexible glass like material, Strataglass, that provides clarity to your enclosure. There are different types of material thickness. Which allows for some windows to be rolled up, and other types to remain more glass like.

These enclosures are flexible to meet the shape of the boat. And can also store flat when not in use. Rigid enclosures are made high quality and can protect from 98% of harmful UV rays. 

Strataglass is known for their flexible marine enclosure windows. The windows are highly durable and contain a scratch resistant coating. It should have a lifetime of 2-5 years when properly cleaned and used with the protective polish and protective cleaner. 

Sunbrella is known for having high quality worry-free fabric. The fabrics are durable and perfect for indoor and outdoor projects. Sunbrella fabrics are resistant to abrasions, weather, mold and mildew. 

Sunbrella has won many awards for their fabric designs. They offer hundreds of colors, and a wide range of patterns. While the fabrics are comfortable and durable, they are also very easy to clean.

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Double Sunpads – Sea Ray Sundancer 420

On this 2005 Sea Ray Sundancer 420 we made double sunpads using Cabana Classic Sunbrella upholstery fabric.

Sunbrella fabrics are highly durable and resistant to abrasions, weather, mold and mildew. And all Sunbrella fabrics come with a 5-year warranty.

Check out our page here to learn more about how to keep your fabric looking new and the cleaning process. 

These sun pads have built in headrests help with max comfort while relaxing. Sunpads are made with 3″ tampered foam, whereas the head rests are elevated to 6″.

Cup holders and pockets were added onto the headrest to keep valuables in place when relaxing.

It was also made with Dri-Fast Foam that causes it to dry very fast. Since Drifast foam is a firm open celled foam that is very porous, it allows water to run through it easily, instead of absorbing it like other closed cell foams.