Powerboat Enclosures Archives | Chicago Marine Canvas

July 18, 2023November 21, 2023

Beneteau Swift Trawler 34

Enhancing the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34

This Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 was enhanced by Chicago Marine Canvas adding custom covers that elevate the boating experience. A Bimini Top, crafted from durable Sunbrella black material, shields occupants from harsh weather elements while providing a cool, shaded space for sunny days. This practical and stylish custom top includes convenient openings for handling mainstay lines to the mast with ease.

Bow Pad Cover

Customize the Swift Trawler 34 with a Bow Pad Cover, expertly crafted from SergeFerrari Stamoid White material, renowned for its resistance to UV damage and mildew. This cover keeps the yacht’s bow area clean and secure, preventing debris and dirt accumulation. The Bow Pad Cover perfectly complements the other custom covers, completing the ensemble of protection and style.

Bridge Railing Covers

The vessel’s appeal is further upgraded with Bridge Railing Covers made from Sunbrella Black fabric. These covers protect the railing system against sun damage, scratches, and wear and tear, lending the yacht a polished and sophisticated appearance. Bridge Railing Covers ensure the longevity of the yacht’s railings while adding an extra touch of style

Comfort and Style

The addition of these custom covers elevates the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34, making every boating adventure a delightful experience. The durable Sunbrella Black and SergeFerrari Stamoid White materials not only provide superior protection but also add a touch of sophistication. Whether planning a coastal cruise or an open-sea journey, these custom covers ensure comfort and style throughout.

July 11, 2023November 22, 2023

Sea Ray 420 Sundancer

The Sea Ray 420 Sundancer at Prairie Harbor Yacht Club in Wisconsin has undergone a stunning transformation with the help of Chicago Marine Canvas. This popular boat model now features several upgrades, including the use of Captain Navy Sunbrella fabric, polycarbonate windows, Strata Glass, and top-of-the-line hardware like Lenzip zippers and Solar Fix PTFE thread. In addition, the Sea Ray is also crafted with flip-up center and side windows, taking comfort and convenience to new heights.

Captain Navy

One of the most striking aspects of the Sea Ray 420 Sundancer is the incorporation of Captain Navy Sunbrella fabric. Sunbrella fabric is well-known for its exceptional durability and ability to withstand the harsh marine environment. It offers reliable protection against UV rays, mold, and mildew, ensuring that the boat’s upholstery stays in pristine condition for years to come. The deep, rich navy color of the fabric adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the boat’s overall aesthetic.

Clear Views Ahead

Enhancing both safety and visibility, the Sea Ray 420 Sundancer features polycarbonate windows in the front. Polycarbonate is a highly robust and impact-resistant material that provides excellent clarity and durability. These forward-facing windows offer passengers an unobstructed view of the surrounding environment, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of the sea.

Complementing the polycarbonate windows, the Sun Ray incorporates Strata Glass windows at the back. Strata Glass is a marine-grade vinyl material renowned for its exceptional clarity, scratch resistance, and long-lasting performance. These windows not only provide an undisturbed view of the water but also create a comfortable and protected environment within the bridge area. Passengers can relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about the elements.

Flip-Up Windows

Adding to the convenience and versatility of the Sea Ray 420 Sundancer, the boat features flip-up center and side windows. These windows can be easily flipped open or closed to control airflow and optimize ventilation within the cabin. This feature allows passengers to enjoy fresh air and natural light when desired while also providing protection and comfort during adverse weather conditions.

High Quality Hardware

When it comes to the hardware and stitching, the Sea Ray 420 Sundancer sets a high standard with its use of Lenzip zippers and Solar Fix PTFE thread. Lenzip zippers are known for their reliability and durability, offering a limited lifetime guarantee. These zippers ensure smooth operation and secure closure of the boat’s canvas components. Paired with Solar Fix PTFE thread, which is renowned for its strength, UV resistance, and ability to withstand environmental damage, the Sea Ray 420 Sundancer’s canvas components are built to withstand the test of time.

June 16, 2023November 27, 2023

Sol Mates

Embark on a boating adventure with Sol Mates, a vessel that exudes elegance and incorporates top-of-the-line features. Recent upgrades by Chicago Marine Canvas showcase the finest materials and components, from Captain Navy Sunbrella fabric to polycarbonate and Strata Glass windows. This boat offers style, durability, and countless memorable journeys on the open seas.

Captain Navy Sunbrella Fabric

One of the standout features of Sol Mates is the use of Captain Navy Sunbrella fabric. Renowned for its exceptional durability and resistance to the elements, Sunbrella fabric offers reliable protection against UV rays, mold, and mildew. It not only ensures the longevity of the boat’s upholstery but also enhances its visual appeal with its deep, rich navy color.

Polycarbonate Forward-Facing Windows

Sol Mates takes visibility and safety to a whole new level with its polycarbonate forward-facing windows on the fly bridge. Polycarbonate is a robust, impact-resistant material that offers excellent clarity and durability. These windows provide an unobstructed view of the surroundings while protecting passengers and crew from inclement weather conditions.

Strata Glass Windows

Complementing the polycarbonate windows, Sol Mates features Strata Glass windows on the bridge facing the back of the boat. Strata Glass is a marine-grade vinyl material known for its exceptional clarity, scratch resistance, and long-lasting performance. These windows ensure an undisturbed view of the water while maintaining a comfortable and protected environment within the bridge.

SeaMark Fabric

To add a touch of elegance and functionality, the Sol Mates boat incorporates a laced-on bridge top made of SeaMark fabric. SeaMark fabric is renowned for its exceptional durability, water resistance, and color retention properties. This laced top not only offers protection from the elements but also adds a stylish finishing touch to the boat’s overall design.

Lenzip Zippers and SolarFix PTFE Thread

Sol Mates understands the importance of reliable canvas hardware and stitching. Equipped with Lenzip zippers and SolarFix PTFE thread, this boat ensures optimal performance and longevity. Lenzip zippers come with a limited lifetime guarantee, providing peace of mind and reliability in every use. Paired with SolarFix PTFE thread, known for its strength, UV resistance, and resistance to environmental damage, these components ensure the boat’s canvas components endure the test of time.

Stainless Steel Hardware

In line with its commitment to durability, all hardware on the Sol Mates boat is crafted from stainless steel. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, making it the ideal choice for marine applications. By incorporating stainless steel hardware, the boat maintains its pristine condition even after continuous exposure to saltwater and other harsh marine environments..

Style and Durability

Sol Mates is a testament to the fusion of style, durability, and functionality. With its premium upgrades, including the Captain Navy Sunbrella fabric, polycarbonate and Strata Glass windows, laced-on bridge top made of Seamark fabric, and robust stainless-steel hardware. For these improvements on your boat, contact Chicago Marine Canvas.

July 20, 2022November 30, 2023

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.

July 18, 2022November 30, 2023

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.

July 13, 2022November 30, 2023

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.

June 10, 2022December 4, 2023

Rigid Enclosure

For this Searay Sundancer we made a rigid enclosure using Tuffak (Markolon) polycarbonate material for the windows. This material does not shrink or stretch in the sun, which keeps it looking as good a new for years.

We used SolarFix thread for these windows. SolarFix is a PTFE (PolyTetraFlouroEthylene) thread because of what it is made out of it has a lifetime guarantee. It is UV resistant and resistant to chemicals too, so this means that this customer will never need any re-stitching repairs. For zippers we used Lenzip plastic molded zippers which also have a lifetime guarantee on them.

October 23, 2019December 4, 2023

Sea Ray Sundancer 460 Hardtop

We created five custom forward semi-rigid windows for this Sea Ray 460 Hardtop this summer. These windows flip up and attach to the hard top with a fastener. It allows the windows to stay up, but for extreme airflow if needed while out on the water.

For this forward enclosure, we used Tuffak (Markolon) polycarbonate for the window materials. Polycarbonate is a semi-rigid material, that is more stiff then Strataglass. Tuffak does not shrink or stretch in the sun, it stays the same size. This ensures that your canvas will always fit as perfectly as it did on the first day of install.

For the fabric the customer chose Sunbrella for their new enclosure. This fabric has a 10 year warranty. It is fade resistant and lasts while exposed to harsh weather elements. Sunbrella helps provide good protection from the sun. You can enjoy long hours out on your boat. It is breathable and allows air to pass through it. Sunbrella fabrics are also mold and mildew resistant. If exposure to certain debris cause this to happen, it can easily be cleaned with a simple bleach solution, without the canvas loosing its color.

We used SolarFix thread for these windows. SolarFix is a PTFE (PolyTetraFlouroEthylene) thread because of what it is made out of it has a lifetime guarantee. It is UV resistant and resistant to chemicals too, so this means that this customer will never need any re-stitching repairs. For zippers we used Lenzip plastic molded zippers which also have a life time guarantee on them. Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we suggest you allow us to use the highest quality materials, that way your new cover, stays new for a long time, and you never need to get repairs!

August 17, 2018December 4, 2023

Dingy Cover For Galeon 560 Skydeck

This 2017 Galeon 560 Yacht needed a new dingy cover.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we specialize in custom covers therefore, none of our covers are the same. They are all different to ensure that each one fits the boat in need properly. We also use many labor-saving tools that help us do things quickly. This saves you money at the end of the day on the perfect cover.

The first step to our process is to head out to your boat to take measurements with our 3D measuring device. After we gather precise measurements we head back to the shop to start our design process on the computer. We do all of our design work using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software. Because we are working on the computer we can see exactly what we are creating in 3D. This allows us to create the perfect fitting cover for your boat. After the cover is designed, we draw it out using our plotter. This draws out all the pieces of the pattern perfectly so our seamstress can sew it up!

This dingy cover was created out of Stamoid. Stamoid is a great material to make a boat cover out of. It is water, UV, and stain resistant. We used SolarFix thread in clear to sew this all together. Solarfix is a PTF thread which is also, UV, chemical, and mildew resistant. Which means, that you’d never have to bring your new dingy cover in for restitching after it’s been out in the sun for a few summers! Finally, on the bottom of the cover we did a draw cord. As a result, the cover can tighten around the dingy keeping the cover nice and secure, and your boat dry!

August 16, 2018December 4, 2023

Bertram 30′ Custom Full Enclosure

For this refurbished Bertram 30′ we created a custom full enclosure to keep this boat dry no matter what the weather has in store for you.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we use many labor-saving, cost-effective tools that help us speed up our process. We first go out to your boat to take precise measurements using our 3D measuring device. Then we head back to the shop and start our design process. We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software. Here we can visually see how the new enclosure will look, before we even begin the sewing process, that way we can make any custom adjustments you want. After that, we send the design to our plotter, which is another one of or labor-saving tools, that quickly draws out all the pieces of your new enclosure. This saves our seamstress so much time while also making sure everything is precisely cut and drawn to the right size.

For this enclosure, we used Stamoid fabric in white. Stamoid is UV, water, and fold resistant. It’s very easy to clean with just water! Check out this video to see Stamoids performance testing videos! For thread we used Solar Fix which is a PTFE or a Polytetrafluoroethylene type of thread, which is also known as teflon, that is guaranteed for life! That means you can say goodbye to repairs that involve restitching. With this thread, your seams will last a lifetime! Solarfix doesn’t get eaten by the sunlight, salt water, or other outside elements. For the glass on this enclosure we used Strataglass. For some tips on how to clean strataglass to maintain its life check out this link.