marine canvas Archives | Page 4 of 4 | Chicago Marine Canvas

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!

November 14, 2016December 4, 2023

40′ Sea Ray EC

This 40′ Sea Ray EC came to us with multiple jobs. First we started off designing a bow cover for their sunpad. We took our portable 3D
measuring device out to the dock and took our measurements to start the design process. Then when we got back to the shop we designed the cover using CAD. The customer chose Black Sunbrella fabric for this cover. We used GORE Tenara thread in black which has a life time guarantee, along with silver DOT snaps to secure the cover to the boat. Our next job on the boat was creating a cockpit cover for the boat. We also did this in Black Sunbrella fabric using black DOT snaps. We used a Boat Vent II pole holder to help create air flow while the cover is up, and to help water roll off the cover instead of pooling in the center! After both of these covers were competed we reupholstered the boats Garmin cover using a Black Infinity woven vinyl. Then we moved onto reupholstering all the outdoor seating. We did this by fabricating new foam pieces for the bottom and back of the seating. After that we sewed up the new seat covers for the foam using Infinity woven vinyl in carbon fiber, which has a funky pattern to it, and then the fabric style leatherette. These two styles were the same color, but had different textures, bringing some contrast to the new seats! For these seats we also used our double needle machine to add another nice finishing touch for the stitch work!

November 14, 2016December 4, 2023

39′ Carver – Full Flybridge Enclosure

39′ Carver was in need of a full enclosure for its flybridge. For this marine cover we used Sunbrella Plus in Black. Sunbrella Plus has one side coated with polyurethane and acrylic, leaving one side of the material rubbery. We used GORE Tenara thread in black and Lenzip Zippers. For the glass this customer chose Strataglass. We made sure to design this enclosure with maximum visibility.
This enclosure has seven Strataglass panels, including three roll up windows. One in the forward center window, and one on the star and port side of the enclosure. We used DOT snaps to secure the windows to the Flybridge creating a nice secure space for the owners of this boat!

November 14, 2016December 4, 2023

38′ Tiara – Full Enclosure

This 38′ Tiara needed a full enclosure with an aft cover that could easily roll up.

This marine cover was constructed with Sunbrella Oyster fabric, clear GORE Tenara thread, and white Lenzip Zippers. Both the thread and zippers have a life time guarantee. The three forward windows are made out of a thicker glass called Makrolon. Makrolon is a polycarbonate which is
abrasion resistant, and wrinkle resistant. These windows are thicker, and harder due to the different material they are made out of. They tend to give your new cover a cleaner look, making your boat cover look super sharp once it’s all finished.

The aft cover has one single window, made of Strataglass. Strataglass is softer, which is why we incorporated it in the back piece so the owners of this boat could easily roll their cover up if they wanted to! We used DOT snap fasteners in oyster that way the snaps blend into the cover, along with some kedar we sewed onto the forward windows, and the top of the aft cover. The kedar goes into a track thats attached to the boats hard top/radar arch, making things fit securely and snug!

Overall, our team created another beautiful cover for another happy customer out on Lake Michigan this summer!

November 14, 2016December 4, 2023

38′ Lagoon Catamaran – Laced On Bimini

This 38′ Lagoon Catamaran needed a new boat cover. This bimini had a different design needed then most of the boats we work on. It needed to be laced on around the metal framing on the boat.

For this cover we used Sunbrella fabric in the color Captain’s Navy. We used GORE Tenara thread in black which is guaranteed to last a life time, and we used Lenzip zippers, which are also guaranteed to last a life time as well.

We had to reenforce a lot of areas on this cover because of possible rubbing on the metal framing, as well as rubbing from the boom. To do this we add another piece of fabric, or some webbing to add extra strength and durability to the piece. We also included a roll up section on the cover for the captain to have good visibility!

This cover turned out great and we again have another happy customer!

November 11, 2016December 4, 2023

37′ Sea Ray – Full Enclosure

This 37′ Sea Ray needed a new marine canvas! The owners decided to go with a full enclosure design.

This cover was constructed with Black Sunbrella fabric and sewn with GORE Tenara thread. GORE Tenara thread is guaranteed to last a life time! It’s great for your boat cover because it is UV resistant, chemical resistant, acid rain resistant, and salt water resistant. It’s also made with a non fading pigment to ensure that your sew lines will always look as good as they did on the first day you put your boat cover up! The customer decided to go with Strataglass for their windows we constructed. We made five forward windows for this Sea Ray that attached to a smaller forward bimini and one big drop down aft cover with a single window. This aft piece attaches to the radar arch using a piece of kedar we sewed to the pack panel.

This cover turned out great and will be keeping this boat dry when there’s a rainy day in Chicago!

February 24, 2016June 9, 2022

Cockpit Covers

Cockpit covers are one of the most common types of boat covers used in the marine industry. These types of covers can be used on all types of powerboats and have different variations available.

Most extend from the top of the windshield toward the aft of the boat. Another option is to extend the cover over the windshield protecting the windshield and the dashboard area from constant direct sunlight. Have you ever seen a dashboard that faded out, an over the windshield cockpit cover would have helped postponed this fading.

Cockpit Cover in Sunbrella Charcoal Grey

Frequently the boat covers are connected with button snaps but there are also other variations of fasteners that can be used. Twist the Dot and Lift the Dot fasteners can be beneficial in specific situations where there is extreme tension on the canvas.

Multiple types of fabric can be used for the cover. Sunbrella is a popular option and has over 70 fabric options in marine grade canvas available. A complete list of available can be found here – Sunbrella Samples . WeatherMax has super high strength and durability combine with long-term color retention and is cost-effective fabric available for marine covers and tops. Both fabrics have outstanding durability, high water repellent and excellent breathability.

Cockpit Cover with "Mesh" CAD rendering — Cockpit Cover with “Mesh” CAD rendering

We measure all of our cockpit covers via 3D and build out the design in CAD software. This provides for a great fitting cover that will be enjoyed for years to come. Some of the pictures show the rendered design in a “Mesh” along with the finish product. Please contact us with any of your cockpit cover needs.

Baliner Cockpit Cover in Sunbrella Marine Blue Tweed

December 9, 2014December 22, 2014

Waterproof vs Water Repellent Canvas

Seems like these two words would mean the same but nothing could be further than the truth. So Waterproof vs Water Repellent Canvas, what’s the difference when it comes to boat canvas?

Water Repellent

Let’s start here since water repellent canvas is a favorite when it comes to marine canvas. Water repellent marine canvas is an acrylic or polyester blend material that is very tightly woven by the manufacturer. This naturally prevents water seepage but most canvases are coated with a DWR ( durable water repellent) which makes then more water-resistant. The DWR coating will wear off over time and does require re-application, this is the type of “waterproofing” sprays you find at your local boat store. This type of fabric is loved by many in boating due to it’s soft touch flexibility of use.

Waterproof

Waterproof is a little easier to understand, no water gets in! Waterproof marine canvas is typically the same acrylic or polyester blend you find with water repellent fabric but one or two side is vinyl coated. There is no ongoing maintenance required of this type of canvas unlike water repellent fabric which requires re-coating a DWR.

So What’s Right For My Boat?

There are two primary factors when deciding which canvas is best for you, what type of weather do you encounter and how do you plan on using it?

As mentioned before, water repellent canvas is a favorite amongst boats and the most popular solution in the marketplace today. People love the variety of colors that are available, it’s soft touch and is fade resistant. It does a great job of keeping the recreational boater dry and is cost effective. It’s commonly used throughout all climates and is most popular on boat enclosures, bimini tops, aft covers and convertible tops. Sunbrella offers a great line of water repellent acrylic marine canvas that comes with a 10-year warranty in over 75 colors.

Waterproof marine canvas is more popular in the northeast and northwest where mother nature whips up some more her more nasty storms. It’s also very popular for boat covers, especially “road” and storage covers. Some boaters do prefer this type of material for all types of enclosures though but is not as popular or as common since it is more expensive than water repellent canvas. Stamoid has an excellent line of waterproof canvases that comes in four different grades, light, heavy, open and top.

If your still undecided on what type of boat canvas is best for you take a trip down to your local harbor. Walk around and see the different types of canvases used in your area and in different ways. You can also work with your local canvas shop which will have a variety of samples of the various marine canvases available today.

Waterproof vs Water Repellent Canvas

We hope this article helped you in deciding on Waterproof vs Water Repellent Canvas for your boat. Please send any comments or ideas on Waterproof vs Water Repellent Canvas, we would love to hear your feedback.