makrolon Archives | Chicago Marine Canvas

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!

November 8, 2017December 4, 2023

Sabre Hardtop Aft Enclosure

The owner of a 42′ Sabre Hardtop Express contacted us about needing their aft enclosure replaced. Their makrolon windows had been slightly discolored but more importantly, their canvas had lost its durability and waterproofness.

When we do a job, we first head out to the location of the boat to take custom measurements using our 3d measuring device. This device is cost-effective and labor-saving. We can measure a boat quickly even if there are high Chicago winds. After we gather all of our measurements and think about all of your design needs, we head back to our shop to start designing your new cover. This is yet another thing that sets us apart from your typical canvas shop. We do all of our design work using CAD (computer aided design) software on the computer. This way we can see exactly what the cover will look like before its on your boat, making sure we get all the details right the first time around!

For this aft enclosure, we used Sunbrella fabric in toast. Sunbrella fabric has a 10 year warranty. For the glass we used Makrolon. Makrolon is a semi-rigid polycarbonate. Makrolon makes your new cover look modern and slick, with no sagging windows due to temperature changes throughout the year. To sew everything together we used GORE tenara
thread in clear. GORE tenara thread has a lifetime guarantee, meaning it will outlast your canvas! If you get your new cover sewn up with GORE tenara thread, you can say good bye to repairs and hello to high-quality craftsmanship! For attaching the panels together we used Lenzip zippers in beige. Lenzip zippers have a life-time guarantee!

This cover has all hidden kedar track that was sewn to the top of the panels, which attached to the hard top creating a water tight seal from panel to hardtop. All of the snaps are hidden as well, and are on a separate flap on the bottom inside of each panel.

October 24, 2017November 22, 2023

International Achievement Award

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Chicago Marine Canvas
www.chicagomarinecanvas.com
(312)-487-1133

Chicago Marine Canvas Wins 2017 International Achievement Award

(New Orleans, LA – Sept. 28, 2017) – Chicago Marine Canvas, Chicago, Illinois, was recognized with the 2017 International Achievement Award (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications.

Chicago Marine Canvas received an Award of Excellence for its Blarney Island: Keeping the Customers Warm project. The project was recognized in the competition’s Powerboat-Rigid Enclosures category.

For seven decades, IAA has recognized excellence in design and innovation, highlighting truly spectacular work in the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry. The International Achievement Awards competition is sponsored by IFAI, a not-for-profit trade association who’s over 1,600 member companies represent the growing international specialty fabrics and technical textiles marketplace.

IFAI received a total of 235 entries from 11 countries that were submitted for 42 categories in this year’s competition. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function. Judges included industry experts, editors, architects, educators and design professionals who were chosen for their knowledge in a particular field of study or product area.

All entries receive prominent recognition at the IFAI Expo, the largest specialty fabrics tradeshow in the Americas. Winners receive additional publicity through coverage in IFAI magazines and press releases distributed to media professionals.

For photos and a detailed project description, visit https://iaa.ifai.com/awards/177746/.

We aren’t your typical canvas shop. Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we use lots of labor-saving, cost-effective tools! For all of our jobs we use our 3d measuring device to help save us time and you money. We do all custom cockpit covers, full enclosures, upholstery work, canvas repairs, zipper replacements, window replacements and vinyl flooring. After we gather our measurements, we go back to the office and pop on the computer and start our design process using our CAD (Computer-Aided Design) program. Here we can easily customize your cover adding windows, zippers and fasteners. Our CAD program takes into consideration the relaxation of the fabric and other variables which would take days, and multiple trips out to your boat to figure out manually. At the end of your experience with us, your cover will fit your boat perfectly. We promise to deliver these solutions on time and within budget!

We work on Sea Ray, Rinker, Regal, Tiara, Maxum, Four Winns, Baja, Cruisers Yatchs, Wellcraft boats and more!!

Need a new cover? Want all of the upholstery redone on your boat? Is your canvas in great shape but your windows aren’t? Do you have a few zippers falling off of your cover? Bimini in need of restitching? Give us a call! 312-487-1133

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 22, 2017December 4, 2023

Sea Ray Full Enclosure

Sea Ray 460 Full Enclosure

This winter we did a full enclosure for this Sea Ray 460 at Chicago Yacht Works.

We love doing jobs like this during the winter because we can really take our time to make sure that everything is perfect for when the boat hits the water in the summer!

When we do custom enclosures we always save you some time and money by using our 3d measuring device to take measurements of your boat. Then we custom design your new cover to tailor to your boats specifications. Here at Chicago Marine Canvas we want your new cover to fit like a glove! We also want to help you keep your boat dry along with it looking nice and modern!

For this Sea Ray we used Sunbrella fabric in marine blue along with GORE tenara thread in black. For all of our enclosure we suggest that you use GORE tenara thread because it has a lifetime guarantee. That means that your thread will outlast your canvas. This also means that your seams won’t need repairs the whole time you have this canvas. GORE tenara won’t get eaten by the sun or other elements, which is why we encourage our customers allow us to fabricate their new cover with this high quality thread! Say good-bye to repairs and hello to high quality!

For the forward windows of this Sea Ray we used makrolon which is a semi-rigid polycarbonate. This material is great because it looks as if the windows are extensions of the actual boat windshield. Since it is a semi-rigid material there is no window stretching or contracting due to temperature changes in between seasons.

For the aft windows we used strataglass. As of September 1,strataglass is the only vinyl on the market that has a two year warranty. For all these panels to stay together we used Lenzip zippers in black which have a lifetime guarantee.

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 18, 2017December 4, 2023

Sea Ray Full Enclosure

This Sea Ray was in need of a new full enclosure, as well as new framing. We went out with our 3d measuring device and started to get to work. We first took some measurements of the boat so we could make sure the new custom framing would fit the boat properly. After that we headed back to the shop and started working on that first. After we installed the new framing, we brought our 3d measuring device back out to the boat and took measurements for the new custom full enclosure. Then we headed back to the shop to start the design process on the computer. Our designer makes sure to meet all your needs and all the special custom things that your boat may have, so that your new cover can fit perfectly! After we finish the design process we bring the design over to the plotter which helps us speed things up by drawing out all the pieces of the full enclosure. Then our seamstress cuts everything out and starts sewing all the pieces together.

For this enclosure we used toast tweed Sunbrella fabric, GORE tenara thread, and Lenzip Zippers. Both GORE tenara and lenzip have a lifetime guarantee, which means the thread and zippers are going to outlast your canvas!

For the forward windows we used Makrolon which is a semi-rigid polycarbonate. Makrolon is great because it can’t expand or contract during the summers or the winters, and because it is a harder glass it looks as if you have a extension off of your windshield.

For the aft windows we used Strataglass. Strataglass now offers a 24 month warranty on their products after they have been fabricated and installed on your boat. It is now the only vinyl on the market that has a warranty.

We used DOT fasteners in winter wheat so that they would blend in to the fabric!

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.

January 30, 2017December 4, 2023

Red Bull Truck Enclosure

We got a call from Red Bull explaining that they would be needing a cover for their truck that would be touring the country in 2017.

They wanted something that would withstand wind, and any kind of weather, and they wanted the cover to be a black matte. So we instantly knew what kind of materials we were going to use for this cover, we were going to use Stammoid heavy, and makrolon for the windows, and GORE Tenara thread in black for sewing it up. If you are interested in seeing some of the testing on this fabric check out this awesome video done in the labs on how durable this fabric is!

For this cover we had to get a little more creative then usual. Since the truck was metal, we sewed in some super heavy duty magnets in the bottom hem, so that the cover would stay secure to the truck and wouldn’t go flapping in the wind when they are driving.

We also used keder to attach to the inside bottoms of the cover that slides into a track on the truck to help ensure its secureness to the truck.

Over all, this cover came out great and is out on the road as of last week working its way around the country!

November 17, 2016December 4, 2023

42′ Navigator – Full Enclosure

For this 42′ Navigator we designed a full enclosure with maximum visibility.

For this boat cover the customers went with Stamoid fabric in white. Stamoid is a material coated in vinyl and is very easy for cleaning. These boaters wanted to use Makrolon for their Forward windows. Makrolon is an a polycarbonate which is clear like glass material that is harder then other marine materials commonly used for windows. With Makrolon your windows wont bend and wont wrinkle, and wont scratch. For their side and aft windows, the customer went with Strataglass, that way they could have roll ups for easy access to air flow while the enclosure is still up! We created these roll ups with screens to help prevent any unwanted bugs from getting onto the boat. The forward windows attached to the bimini using Lenzip zippers, using GORE Tenara thread, both of these products are guaranteed to last a life time. The aft windows are attached to the radar arch using kedar and water proof seal to ensure no leakage into the boat. We also created a windshield cover for this boat to help keep the heat off the inside, and the windshield clean when no ones on the boat! This cover turned out great and looks super sharp on this 42′ Navigator!