In this clip I’m showing the method I use to lay the zipper in and finish it cleanly. Curious how other fabricators handle this.
Full video:
https://www.youtube.com/@BoatCanvasGear
Tools I use:
https://BoatCanvasGear.com
Fletch at All Coast Canvas showed me these electronic tags they sew directly into their boat covers. I thought this was a really impressive idea.
Full shop tour/videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@BoatCanvasGear
https://boatcanvasgear.com
Sometimes running a small upholstery shop gives you stories you couldn’t make up.
There’s a guy locally using our name. A customer knew the situation, chose to use him anyway because his price was cheaper, and apparently the job didn’t turn out very well.
Then they came to me complaining about the work.
I’m sitting there thinking… what exactly do you want me to do about it? 😂
Shop owners: how would you respond?
What makes this shop interesting is that they specialize exclusively in boat covers, so I wanted his perspective on the strengths of the fabric and what matters when choosing material for marine applications.
This clip is from the longer shop visit:
https://www.youtube.com/@BoatCanvasGear
For the tools and supplies we use:
https://BoatCanvasGear.com
It's working well so far, but I'm sure there's something I haven't thought of. If you bend tubing regularly, what would you add or change?
Built another Bimini top frame today using our new Bimini Top Table.
Having the right workspace makes cutting, bending, and crowning the frame faster and more accurate. What's the one shop upgrade that changed your workflow the most?
📺 https://www.youtube.com/@BoatCanvasGear
🛒 https://BoatCanvasGear.com
Here’s a compilation of some of our favorite boat interiors, seating projects, Bimini tops, and canvas work from nearly two decades in the marine industry.
Always looking for ways to improve the next build. Feedback is welcome!
I’m traveling around the Southeast visiting marine canvas and upholstery shops, offering to make free videos highlighting their businesses.
Today we stopped at Laporte Products, one of the biggest manufacturers of T-top and boat covers. They’re also one of our customers, and earlier this year we helped them complete a challenging job in Sarasota.
They chose not to allow cameras inside their facility, which I completely respect.
It’s been interesting to see the contrast on this trip. Some companies are excited to show how they build their products, while others prefer to keep everything behind the scenes.
Either way, it’s been a great look at how different businesses approach marketing and public visibility.
I recently stopped by Marine Canvas and Interiors And More in Jacksonville, Florida, and Miguel gave me a tour of the shop. We checked out some of their current marine upholstery and canvas projects, talked about the business, and looked at the craftsmanship that goes into custom boat interiors.
This clip is a short preview from the full YouTube shop tour.
I’d love to hear what everyone notices about their workflow, layout, or techniques. Always interesting to see how different marine canvas shops operate.
While touring Precision Marine Upholstery in Port Orange, Florida, the owner walked me through his new long-arm console sewing machine and explained what it can do that his older machine couldn’t. If you’re into industrial sewing equipment or marine upholstery, I’d love to hear what machines you’re running and why.
I finally got to see Miami Corporation’s Detroit Book library in person. These books help upholstery shops identify factory vinyl, colors, grain patterns, and materials for thousands of vehicles. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes resources that most people never get to see, but it’s a huge part of producing factory-looking repairs.
Anyone else still use these regularly?
One of the best parts of owning a business for nearly two decades isn’t the money—it’s when younger business owners reach out asking for advice.
I never set out to be a mentor. I was just trying to build a business and take care of my family. If sharing what I’ve learned helps someone else avoid a few mistakes, that’s incredibly rewarding.
This video covers frame setup, patterning with Vicar Patterning Material, and fabrication with black Tempotest marine fabric. Curious what everyone else prefers for patterning—paper, plastic, or direct fabric?
Everyone talks about mastering the craft before opening a business.
What surprised me was everything else.
The sewing became one of the easier parts compared to learning pricing, customer service, hiring, marketing, inventory, bookkeeping, taxes, scheduling, and making decisions when things go sideways.
What business skill blindsided you the most after you started?
I’ve spent thousands on equipment over the years and one of the simplest efficiency improvements in the shop was Merlys putting a window AC unit on a bucket.
Trade people are a different breed.
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best ones.
For years, I read Marine Fabricator cover to cover trying to become a better marine fabricator and business owner.
Today, I’m actually featured in it.
Pretty cool reminder that consistency eventually pays off.
Sometimes building something new isn’t glamorous.
Today I was moving an old long-arm Singer sewing machine into our future sewing school area. I was by myself, saw two skateboards, and improvised.
Oddly satisfying and surprisingly effective. Future students will be using these machines soon.
After 18 years in the marine canvas industry, I’m opening up our shop in Florida for training.
For years, people have asked me where they can learn marine canvas fabrication, and honestly, there just aren’t many places.
So instead of building a traditional classroom, we’re inviting people into our actual production environment.
This isn’t a lecture or a seminar.
You’ll work on real customer projects alongside our team while learning:
Patterning
Sewing
Biminis & enclosures
Materials and suppliers
Pricing and workflow
Running a marine canvas business
Social media and content creation
We currently offer:
3 days - $3,500
5 days - $5,000
10 days - $10,000
I’m curious…
If you were interested in learning this trade, what would you want to learn the most?
Business? Fabrication? Sewing? Customer acquisition?
I’d genuinely love feedback from people in the industry.