Recent Projects Archives | Page 4 of 11 | Chicago Marine Canvas

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 17, 2018December 4, 2023

Inflatable Engine Shelter For American Airlines

This past winter we got an phone call from American Airlines asking for repair service to an inflatable engine shelter.

We went onsite to O’Hare to do the repair with our portable Sailrite Ultrafeed sewing machine. This portable machine is great because we can take it out to larger jobs that can’t come to the shop.

These igloo shelters are necessary to protect the engine and workers while its being repaired in colder weather. The inflatable structure is equipped with two portable generators. They supply heat to the portable space and power lights so that the Tech Ops can have proper working conditions. The front of the igloo is easily detachable. This allows you to have enough room to move the engine inside and back out after the repairs are finished. This helps speed up repairs when there isn’t enough room to bring the plane inside, or if the plane is much to big.

This igloo in particular had a small rip in one of the seams that was causing an air leak. We came out, sewed it up making sure it was nice and secure so these guys could get to work in the Chicago winds during the winter!

August 17, 2018December 4, 2023

Sailboat: Dodger, Helm Cover, Winch Covers, Sail Cover

For this sailboat we created a custom dodger, helm cover, winch covers and sail cover.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, everything we do is custom. We use many cost-effective, labor-saving tools that help us speed up the process, therefore you save some money. This also helps us make sure that your cover will fit perfectly when it comes to install time!

The first thing we do to begin our process is journey out to your boat. Once we get there we use our 3D measuring device to take precise pinpoint measurements. After we gather all of those, we head back to our shop where our designer gets to work. We use CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software during our design process. On the computer we can see the thing we can see the design in 3D.

Making sure everything matched in color, we used Sunbrella fabric in the color toast. Sunbrella is one of our favorite marine fabrics to use when it comes to canvas, it comes with 10 year warranty. For all the things we sewed up for this job, we used SolarFix thread in clear, which has a lifetime guarantee. This means, no more restitching after your new canvas has been out in the sun for a few years! This thread will outlast the canvas it self!

We made sure to add leather reinforcement patches on the forward and aft areas of the dodger where there would be high amounts of friction on the sailboat. For the windows of this dodger we used Strataglass. Strataglass is the only vinyl on the market that offers a 2 year warranty if it is properly maintained and cleaned.

For this sailboat we also made matching winch covers out of sunbrella fabric as well as a matching helm cover!

August 17, 2018December 4, 2023

Reclining Dual Sunpads

We created some custom reclining dual sunpads we created for this Cruisers Yacht 390 SC just in time for the Chicago Air and Water Show!!! The Chicago Air and Water Show is the largest free show, of its kind in the country! It happens right on and above Lake Michigan at North Ave. Beach.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we can create anything quickly and efficiently many of our labor-saving tools. We start off all of our projects by going on site to take pinpoint measurements with our 3D measuring device. After we gather the measurements, we head back to our shop and start our design process. We do all of our design work using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software. This allows us to visually see the piece on hand, before we start to psychically put it together. For these sunpads, the customers wanted something that could lay completely flat, as well as sit up to watch the show in front of them.

For these sunpads we used Sunbrella upholstery fabric in Adaptation Indigo. Sunbrella upholstery fabrics come with a 5 year limited warranty and is super easy to clean! upholstery fabric is easy to clean! You can brush off any loose debris before it becomes embedded into the fabric. If you spill anything on the fabric, you can spot clean it before stains set by blotting the spill with a dry cloth. For more information on how to clean up other spills click this link! The bottom layer of these sunpads are fabricated out of a white screen that helps with water drainage. So when it rains, your sunpads wont stay wet, the water will drain out of the bottom easily!

We also used Drifast foam for these two sunpads. Drifast is a open celled foam that allows water to flow through it instead of absorbing it. So if it rains, these cushions will dry out faster then others with different foam. To ensure that your sunpads wont go flying off your boat when cruising on Lake Michigan we attached a kedar track to the front and sides of these sunpads.

These two sunpads can lay completely flat, and recline up into three different positions. If you have a flat deck where your sunpad would sit, these recliners can be custom made for your boat.

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.

July 5, 2018December 4, 2023

Custom Quad Sunpads

This SeaRay Sedan Bridge 390 had lots of deck space so we went a head and designed four custom sunpads to fit the bow of the boat.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, everything we do is custom! So we can make anything you have in mind when it comes to design and functionality. Did your last sunpad get taken away by the Chicago winds!? We can make sure your new sunpad is securely attached to your boat so you wont have to worry about it being gone when you come back to your boat! Is your sunpad looking drab? We have access to lots of fun patterns that can make your boat look chic out on the water this year.

The first step to our process is going out to your boat to take measurements. Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we use a lot of labor-saving, cost-effective tools. Our 3D measuring device is one of those tools! We quickly measure your boat and then head back to the shop to start our design process. We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. Once we finish that up, we send everything over to our plotter, another one of our cost-effective, labor-saving tools. Our plotter draws out the pattern of your new sunpads perfectly!

For these sunpads we used Sunbrella upholstery fabric in the pattern Adaptation Stone! We can make sunpads out of any material you’d prefer, but we recommend using Sunbrellla upholstery fabric because it’s softer on your skin, easy to clean in a washing machine, and has many different designs and colors available! Sunbrella upholstery fabric comes with a 5 year warranty. 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. This thread doesn’t get eaten by the sunlight, salt water, or other outside elements.

We used DriFast foam for these sunpads. 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. It even keeps you cool when you are on it due to the open cells of the foam allowing air to move freely through the foam. This foam is antimicrobial which helps prevent microorganism growth which happens in wet areas.

January 2, 2018December 4, 2023

Regal Cockpit Cover

It’s important to keep your boat covered all year round when it isn’t in use, to protect your interior upholstery, flooring, and your electronics. This customer called us up needing a new cockpit cover for their Regal to match their bimini top.

We aren’t your typical boat shop, here at Chicago Marine Canvas all of our covers, biminis, enclosures, upholstery work, and flooring is custom made to fit your boat perfectly. That means for all of our jobs we have to have access to your boat. We start off each project by going out to your boat and using one of our many labor-saving, cost effective tools, our 3D measuring device. Nothing can slow us down with this tool! We can quickly take measurements of your boat rain or shine! After we gather the measurements for your new cover, we head back to the shop so we can start our design process! All of our work is done on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. We can easily see the end product using this tool, making sure all of your design needs are met for you and your boat. Once we finalize the design, we send the pattern for your new cover over to our plotter. Our plotter is another one of our labor-saving, cost-effective tools we use here at Chicago Marine Canvas. It quickly draws out each piece perfectly that our seamstress needs to draw out. Then all of the pieces get cut out and our seamstress can start to sew it all together.

On this Regal, we used Sunbrella fabric in navy for its new cockpit cover. We love using Sunbrella fabric for cockpit covers! It is fade resistant and has a 10 year warranty! To sew this all up we used Sunstop polyester thread in black. Then we bound the new cover in 1 inch Sunbrella binding in navy to ensure that all the ends are securely covered so this cover will last and won’t fray! We also added a Boat Vent II to the center of this cover to help prevent pooling, create airflow, and reduce mildew. This cover was attached to the boat with DOT snap fasteners so it wont blow away!!! We also did custom boot flaps with velcro around each pole for the framing to ensure a perfect fit and to prevent water from getting in at those areas!

If you are looking for a custom cover with a perfect fit, give us a ring this winter so we can help keep your boat dry all year round! Our shop is open all year, which can help you be prepared when it’s time for your boat to get in the water at the beginning of the season!

December 7, 2017December 4, 2023

Dodger Window Replacement

One of the services we offer here at Chicago Marine Canvas is window replacements. If your windows have yellowed, fogged up, cracked, shrunk, or expanded over time, replacing the glass can fix those issues. This sale boat owner contacted us about foggy, yellowed windows that he needed replaced. One of the first things we do before doing a window replacement is assess the quality level of the canvas. “How many years does it have left? What is your budget?” We have different qualities of glass that we recommend for different quality of canvas. This dodger was in great shape, so we recommended that the customer use a high quality glass that will last as long as their dodger.

For window replacements we usually take the window panel, or dodger in this case, back to the shop and carefully cut out the glass. Then we go back to the boat and snap it back on the boat. After it’s all snapped on, without the old windows, we use one of our labor-saving, cost-effective tools, our 3D measuring device and take measurements of your windows. Once we gather all of our needed measurements, we take off the dodger, and head back to the shop with it. Then our designer gets to work and designs the new windows using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, so we can make sure everything looks right. Then we send the designs of the new windows over to our plotter. Our plotter is another one of our labor-saving, cost-effective tools we use here at Chicago Marine Canvas. It quickly draws out whatever we design on the computer perfectly, saving us time and you money at the end of the day! After that, our seamstress cuts out the new windows and gets to work!

For these windows we use Strataglass. Strataglass is one of our favorite products when it comes to glass for canvas that is brand new, or in great shape, like this dodger was. It’s the only glass on the market that offers a 2 year warranty! With proper care these windows will outlast its warranty, just make sure that you rinse them with water after you go out on the water, or after your boat has been on the dock to help extend the life of your new windows. Be sure to remove any sunscreen, harmful liquids, or sprays that may accidentally get on the surface.

If your dodger, or enclosure is in need of a window replacement give us a call today! Chicago Marine Canvas is open all year long, ensuring our customers that their boat will be ready to go once the next season begins!

November 24, 2017December 4, 2023

Woven Vinyl Flooring

One of the things we offer here at Chicago Marine Canvas is luxury flooring. Now a days with technological advances in textiles, people aren’t putting regular pile carpet on their boats anymore. It doesn’t last as long, it easily gets moldy, it retains water, gets dirty fast, and doesn’t seem to last long. The product we use is by a company named Infinity which produces a woven vinyl flooring.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we use lots of labor-saving, cost-effective tools which helps us lower the cost of our services we offer to our customers. One of those tools we use is our 3D measuring device. We use this to take all of our measurements quickly and efficiently. When it comes to flooring we head out to your boat and map out the whole flooring area that you want covered, making sure that we get the tightest fit possible, so that your new flooring looks how it should, like it was custom made for your boat. After we gather all of our measurements needed, we head back to the shop and start the design process. All of our design work is done on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. This allows us to see the end product ahead of time, allowing us to make any minor adjustments we may need to before we go out to install your new product. It really helps us speed up the install process because it cuts our installs down to a one time thing instead of a multiple trip one. After we do all of our design work on the computer,mapping out your new custom flooring we send our design over to our plotter and draw out a template. Our plotter is another one of our special tools we use here at Chicago Marine Canvas. It helps us quickly and precisely draw out whatever we need it to, that way everything is perfect! Once our templates are all drawn out, we cut them to size and lay out your new flooring. We make sure the pattern is all going the right way, so everything will look nice and neat once we install the new flooring on your boat. We trace out the pieces of the flooring, and then we cut it all out using our electric cutting knife. The pattern picked out for this boat is called Boucle #9.Then we bind all the edges of the flooring with Sunbrella binding in charcoal grey. After that we roll it up and bring it back out to your boat for installation.

Infinity Woven Vinyl comes with a 10 year warranty. This product is 100% recyclable and is certifiably green! It is anti-mircobial allowing no bacterial or mold growth. It is soil and stain resistant. It doesn’t get trashed by bird or spider defecation and is easy to clean!

November 14, 2017December 4, 2023

Sundancer Custom Sunpad

We did a full enclosure for this Sundancer 300 in the beginning of this summer. After their enclosure was finished, they were out crusin’ and lost their sunpad! It flew off their boat, so we got to make them a new custom sunpad!

Everything we create here at Chicago Marine Canvas is custom made. That means we can make you whatever your heart desires. Maybe your last sunpad didn’t have enough straps to secure it to your boat, so you lost it on one ride like this customer…we can take that into consideration on your new custom sunpad!

We start off all of our jobs by going on site to your boat to take measurements. Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we use lots of labor-saving, cost-effective tools. Our 3D measuring device is one of those tools! We can quickly measure your boat then head back to the shop. At the shop our designer gets to work. We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. After we finish up all the design work, we send everything over to our plotter, another one of our cost-effective, labor-saving tools. Our plotter can draw out the pattern for your new sunpad in minutes instead of us taking hours to do it by hand. This way everything comes out perfectly and its done quickly and efficiently!

For this sunpad we used Sunbrella upholstery fabric in the color flagship silver. Sunbrella is a fade resistant canvas we use on most for most of our jobs, and it comes with a 10 year warranty. We used foam from active foam for this project, we chose Dryfast 4048. Dryfast foam is a open cell foam that is extremely porous allowing water to go through the foam, instead of retaining it like a sponge like other foams. On the underside of the cushion we did a white screen with a large u shaped chain zipper for easy removal of the foam. That way you can easily wash your new sunpad cover if it gets dirty when you are using it this year! For thread we used SunStop in white and black. We created custom straps for this sunpad to attach to the boat. For this we used 2″ webbing that way the straps were secure and wouldn’t rip through the fabric. We also added a large pocket all along the back of the head rest for small things like cell phones, sun screen or anything else you want to keep secure when you are out on the water!