custom Archives | Page 4 of 5 | Chicago Marine Canvas

October 10, 2017December 4, 2023

70′ Hatteras

Visiting Chicago from Florida for the summer. This 70′ Hatteras lost its bimini somewhere from Traverse City to Chicago. We got to create a custom bimini for this boat to help bring the shade back into these boaters lives!

Our first step when we get a job is going on site to take measurements. We bring our 3d measuring device which is labor-saving and cost-effective. It saves us time measuring which saves you money at the end of the day on your new custom cover. After we gather all of our measurements we need and take lots of detailed photos we head back to the shop. We do all of our design work on the computer so we can physically see what we are creating, as well as be super accurate. This helps save us trips when we go to fit the new cover onto your boat. After we do all the design work we then bring it over to our plotter. This is another one of our tools that is labor-saving. Instead of us hand drawing out all of our designs, our plotter does it for us, quickly and efficiently. Then we hand all of our plotted fabric over to our seamstress, who cuts everything out and then starts the fabrication process.

For this 70′ Hatteras bimini cover 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! To sew this up we used GORE tenara thread in clear. GORE tenara UV, saltwater, chemical, and extreme weather resistant. It is backed by a lifetime guarantee. We used lenzip zippers which also have a lifetime guarantee.

We installed this cover on the day the Cubs won the world series! Go Cubs GO!

October 9, 2017December 4, 2023

Carver Flybridge

This summer at Chicago Yacht Works we designed a new flybridge enclosure for this 2000 Carver 530 Voyager Pilothouse. We love working with Chicago Yacht Works because we can work on the boats all year

Since all boats are sightly different, we do only custom enclosures. Everyone has different framing, and other minor add ons. No boat is the same to us! The first step of our process is heading out to the boat with our 3d measuring device. It is cost-effective and labor-saving because it saves us time taking measurements and saves you money in the end. After we take measurements we head back to the shop to start doing design work on the computer. Our designer makes sure to meet all of your boats needs. Then we head the design over to the plotting machine which is another cost-effective, labor-saving device. The plotter draws out all the pieces of your new enclosure instead of us having to draw it out by hand. Then we hand everything over to our seamstress who cuts everything out, and then sews it all together.

For this cover we used linen tweed sunbrella fabric, GORE tenara thread in clear. Sunbrella is a fade resistant canvas we use on most of our covers, and it comes with a 10 year warranty. GORE tenara thread has a lifetime warranty.

The forward windows of this enclosure we used makrolon, which is a semi-rigid polycarbonate. It’s great of how clean it makes your new cover look. There is no sagging with makrolon, and no stretching and shrinking of glass, which is a issue here in Chicago due to the extreme hot summers and the extreme cold winters. For the Aft panels we used strataglass. Strataglass is the only vinyl on the market that comes with a two year warranty after install.

We used Lenzip zippers on this enclosure which also has a lifetime guarantee. We even used their waterproof zipper for the roll up on the port and star side of the enclosure to ensure air flow while the enclosure is up!

September 19, 2017December 4, 2023

Sundancer Full Enclosure

This Sundancer 300 was in need of a new full enclosure.

We always begin our process by going out to the boat with our team to take measurements. We use a 3d measuring device that is quick and efficient, which saves us time and you money at the end of the day. After we take the measurements, we head back to the shop to start the design process. We do all of our design work on the computer, making sure to custom tailor your new cover so that it fits perfectly. Once we finish up the design work, we have our plotter draw out all of the patterned pieces for this enclosure. Then we hand it over to our seamstress so they can get to work.

For this project we used Sunbrella in black, GORE tenara thread in black, and Sunbrella binding in black. GORE tenara thread has a lifetime warranty which means no more sun eaten seams. We also used Lenzip zippers in black which also have a life time guarantee.

For the front windows we used Makrolon which is a semi-rigid polycarbonate. The great thing about Makrolon is that it doesn’t sag like other vinyls. It also doesn’t expand or contract in different temperatures that way your cover always look brand new. With Makrolon your new enclosure looks like an extension off of your windshield, making your new cover looking super clean and chic.

The aft windows on this boat are Strataglass. We used large pieces of glass for maximum visibility. Strataglass is now the only vinyl on the market that comes with a 2 year warranty after install.

We also created large canvas panels in the aft area of the boat, on the port and star side to help with shade while out on the water.

September 15, 2017May 2, 2019

Full Enclosure & Sunpad

For this Sea Ray 500, the bridge was constricting the captain, so we raised the framing 6 inches for more headroom.

We also made a new aft frame for this boat so that the customers could have more shade with their new enclosure. We brought the pole out further towards the back of the boat, so that the bimini could be wider then their last cover.

After we did some adjustments on their framing, we went and took measurements with our 3d measuring device. Then our designer went back to the shop and started working his magic designing a custom enclosure.

Sea Ray 500 Custom Full Enclosure AFT View (Strataglass Roll Ups)

For this project we used Sunbrella fabric in Captains Navy, GORE tenara thread in black, Lenzip zippers. Both GORE tenara thread and Lenzip zippers have a lifetime warranty. That means they are guaranteed to last longer then your canvas and that the sun and water will not eat away at them!

For the forward windows we used Makrolon, which is made out of a polycarbanate that makes these windows semi-rigid! For the aft windows we used Strataglass. We did roll ups for some of the back windows for air flow when the cover is up. To ensure no water leakage in the roll up windows we used Lenzip’s waterproof chain zipper.

Sea Ray 500 Custom Sunpad

We also designed and sewed up four separate custom sunpads for this boat. We used Captains Navy Sunbrella upholstery fabric to match the new closure we created for them! These cushions have an Oyster Sunbrella piping around the edges to help create the illusion that these are all one long cushion! They also have two easily removable headrests that have pockets in the back of them for storage so that things don’t go flying away when you are out and about. They are attached to the boat with custom velcro straps that wrap around poles located down each side of the center of the boat. These cushions aren’t going anywhere but where the boat takes them!

Sea Ray 500 Custom Sunpad Detail Of Head Rest

They are made out of active foams dryfast foam. Dryfast foam is an open-cell foam that allows water to go through the foam instead of absorbing it like other foams. These cushions will get dry way quicker if they get wet out on the water or soaked after a rain storm. They also have a white screen on their underside to also help with water drainage along with a large horse shoe shaped zipper for easy removal if the customer wants to throw these in the wash at the end of the year.

December 9, 2016December 4, 2023

Outdoor Grill Cover

We often fabricate custom outdoor grill covers for customers in the Chicagoland area. These covers protect the counter tops, sinks, grills, and cabinets from the different weather changes here in Illinois. Things like snow, water, ice and dirt can make your grill and your beautiful cooking area have a shorter life span. With a custom cover, you can help protect your investment!

Outdoor Grill Cover By Chicago Marine Canvas

All of our covers are custom made. We start off all of our jobs by going out to our customers house to take measurements using our 3D measuring device. This is one of our many labor-saving, cost-effective tools that we use here at Chicago Marine Canvas. With this tool, we can quickly take measurements, rain or shine, even with Chicago winds! After we gather all of our measurements, we head back to our shop and our designer starts the design process. Our designer uses CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software to draw up your new cover. With this program, we can see everything in 3D, allowing us to make sure that our customers cover is perfect and just how they want it. For this cover, we made sure that the grill could still be accesses if needed in the winter. So we made sure to add zippers on both sides of the grill so the grill area can be exposed and can be used all year round.

For this outdoor grill cover we used Sunbrella fabric in Walnut Brown Tweed. Sunbrella fabric is fade resistant and comes with a 10 year warranty. We used Lenzip Zippers for the easy access flap. We also put black webbing along all of the outside edges of the cover so we could put snaps to attach the cover securely to the home, deck, and grill area! Making sure that your cover will not go flying away in Chicago winds!

November 25, 2016December 4, 2023

Sea Ray

For this Sea Ray, we did a custom cockpit cover with custom boots for their framing.

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we only do custom work. That means no two covers are a like. We begin every job by physically going out to your boat to take measurements with our 3D measuring device. Our measuring device is one of the many tools that we have here in our shop that is cost-effective and labor saving. After we gather all the right numbers, we head back to our shop to begin the design process.

We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software. This helps save us time and you money. Here we can quickly design your cover, and see it in 3D before we even sew it all together. Once we make sure that all of your needs are met and that the design is top notch, we send it over to our plotter. Our plotter is another one of our fun tools that we use to save us time and you money. It can quickly draw out the pattern for your new cover in a matter of minutes, without any errors. After it’s all drawn out, our seamstress cuts out all the pieces and begins to sew it all together.

For this cover we used Sunbrella fabric in Heather Beige! Sunbrella fabric is one of our favorite canvas’ to use here in our shop! It comes with a 10 year warranty and is fade resistant! To sew everything together we used GORE Tenara thread. GORE tenara is a great thread to use for outdoor applications because it is UV resistant, weather resistant, and chemical resistant. It comes with a lifetime guarantee, which means no more restitching once your cover has been out in the sun for a few years!

November 25, 2016December 4, 2023

Window Replacements

Canvas still looking great but your windows are cracking or are starting to become discolored? An easy cost effective way to fix that issue is window replacements.
Our process is a little different then other boat shops. Over time your canvas can become stretched out or even shrink after its been on your boat for a while. To help ensure that your windows will fit we start off by taking your old windows and removing the old glass from them. Then we head out to your boat, zip the windows back onto the bimini and snap them down to the boat. We then take our 3D measuring device and take real measurements of the windows, so we have a guide as to where the new windows need to be sewn, so they look great and fit just right when we are all done!
We can also help you pick out your new window material. Maybe you want Strataglass or Eisenglass.

November 25, 2016December 4, 2023

Grill Slip Cover

We created a custom grill slip cover for an outdoor grill/eating area.

We start off all of our projects by physically going out to your home. Once we arrive we get out our 3D measuring device. With this tool, we can quickly take measurements of your outdoor area, saving us time and you money at the end of the day. After we get all the measurements we need, we head back to our shop and start the design process.

We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software. It makes things quicker for us and allows us to see the design in 3D before we draw out all the pieces. After we make sure our design is perfect and all of your needs are met, we send everything over to our plotter. This draws out our design perfectly and quickly. Once it’s all drawn out, our seamstress cuts out all the pieces, and begins to sew it all together.

For this grill slip cover we used Aqualon fabric. Aqualon is vinyl-coated polyester with a water repellant on it. It is mold and mildew resistant. It wont crack or harden. Its great for outdoor covers because of its resistance to weathering!

We used Lenzip zippers on this cover. Lenzip zippers have a lifetime guarantee! The zippers allow easy access to parts of the grill and allow the cover to be easily removed and put on the whole area!

November 23, 2016December 4, 2023

42′ Silverton Express Cruiser – Cockpit Cover

This 42′ Silverton Express Cruiser was in desperate need of an updated cockpit cover.

Silverton Express Cruiser Cockpit Cover by Chicago Marine Canvas

Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we only do custom work, that means, no two covers area alike! The first step to our process is to physically go out to your boat and take measurements using our 3D measuring device. This is one of our many cost-effective, labors-saving tools. After we quickly gather our measurements we head back to our shop to begin our design process. We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. With this tool, we can see a 3D version of your new cover before we even draw it out! This way we can make sure that everything is perfect and all of your needs are met.

For this cockpit cover we used Erin Green Sunbrella Plus fabric, which has a polyurethane backing on the inside of the cover, it helps really ensure water resistance for this boat cover! We also used GORE Tenara thread in clear, which has a lifetime guarantee to outlast your canvas! This thread is great for boat covers because it is UV resistant and wont wear out over time! This cover also had two Boat Vent II pole holders helping to prevent water from pooling on the cover, and to help create airflow through the boat while the cover is up. This can help prevent mold and mildew from building up inside the boat cover when its up! We used DOT Snaps to attach the cover to the boat to finish it off!

November 18, 2016December 4, 2023

Custom Grill Cover

Here in Chicago, a lot of people have an outdoor kitchen area. Most of these areas are custom built meaning they need a custom cover, from someone like us!

All of the work we do here at Chicago Marine Canvas is custom made. So we start off all of our projects by first listening to our customers needs, and making sure we can cover all of them before we start a job. Customers often want two different types of covers from us. A summer one, for easy access and then a winter one that covers the whole area.

The first step to our process is to go out to your house and gather measurements from your outdoor kitchen area. We do this with our 3D measuring device. It is one of the many labor-saving, cost effective tools we use here at our shop. After we get all the measurements, we head back to our shop where our designer gets to work. We do all of our design work using CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software. This program allows us to see the design in 3D prior to us making up your custom cover. This way we can make sure all of your wants and needs are met! Once we finish up the design we send everything over to our plotter and let everything get drawn out quickly and perfectly. Then we hand everything over to our seamstress who cuts everything out and starts sewing everything together.

For these covers we used Sunbrella fabric in Black. Sunbrella is fade resistant and comes with a 10 year warranty. We used GORE Tenara Thread in black. GORE Tenara Thread has a lifetime guarantee. It resists UV sunlight, chemicals, saltwater, extreme weather, and acid rain. It is a great thread to use on covers that will be outdoors!