Calling all canvas people....Let's have an honest discussion....

yobub said:
Here are some examples of the construction details that I would never think to do, and I don't think I could fabricate myself, and that certainly increase the cost to construct:

They constructed strips that thread through the channels on the radar arch, that the main bimini and the bimini over the helm zip into. If you take the entire canvas up and down (which we do regularly) it makes it much easier to thread those into the channels on the arch, and then zip the large pieces to the threaded piece. If you've ever taken the main top off, you know what a pain it can be to thread it back in that channel while managing the large piece of canvas. It also means you can take the pieces down with just a zip, and you don't have to remove the piece in the channel, and if you need to get to the gear on the radar arch, no need to remove the top - just unzip to open.

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The main rear window has a large screen zippered in for airflow. I know many fabricators will do this.View attachment 72029

One of the problems we had with our previous canvas was that the "smiley" windows would all leak, even though they were only a couple years old. Our fabricator designed the Strataglass to overlap the outside of the zipper, so the zipper itself isn't directly exposed to rain. It's hard to see from the pictures, but the Strataglass on the outside of the winder is wider than the opening all around, and just overlaps with the outside glass. If forms a flap that keeps water away from the zipper.

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All of the zippers are covered by canvas, with a velcro closure, so that canvas overlaps canvas and is closed, and the zipper sits underneath without being exposed to rain.
View attachment 72031
They put in a rubber gasket sewn into the canvas that runs the length of the windshield that seals the canvas to the windshield, so if you are running in rain or waves or wind it won't splash up under the canvas. It also serves to help keep bugs out.View attachment 72032of
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Looks like some very nice work.
 
Better view of windshield gasket
20190703_122744.jpg
 
Yeah we got the UV resistant thread and they also installed that rubber seal on the bottom of the windshield panels. They didn't do that on our SR
 
Quint4 said:
Insist on teflon thread (Solarfix or Tenara). Lasts a lifetime.
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Tenara is incredible thread....however, I had tough time sewing polycarbonate. I used used it on everything but.....
 
I recently had a bad experience with replacing some canvas, I asked my local marina to replace all my canvas last October while boat was in heated storage, these are supposed to be the best canvas shop around and I wanted the best but excuses after excuses my canvas never got done. Boat was launched in May and I had enough, called another local and he was down measuring the boat with in hours, but in my excitement to finally get the job done for much less than the fist guys, I told him to first replace the front windows before the back canvas. I gave him a small deposit, he was able to put new 40g panels in but all he did was cut the old grass panels out of my old canvas and sewed in the new panels and looks like he cut panels with crafting scissors, the panels have scratches in then and he did not replace the rubber seal and Velcro. Obviously I gave him a long list of my complaints plus the old canvas would not match if they continued to do the back. Long story made short but he started lambasting me for poor communication and blamed me for scratching the panels. I’m not paying him and he doesn’t seam to want to make it right.
I may have to eat crow and go back to my original plan and be patient.
Fairwinds Canvas was mentioned earlier, they did the original canvas because I bought the boat in Racine, I would be willing to drive the boat across the lake to get a good job, money is not the problem, trying to find competent people is....
 
PMC said:
Tenara is incredible thread....however, I had tough time sewing polycarbonate. I used used it on everything but.....
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I only use Solarfix....it sews much better than Tenara.
 
KevinC said:
Is that specific to poly? I have not had any issues with Tenara in canvas. I also use the lubricated spool.

-Kevin
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No just a general statement. I have heard Tenara has "changed" so I may need to revisit, although Solarfix sews like butter for me and I see no reason to go back.
 
Quint4 said:
No just a general statement. I have heard Tenara has "changed" so I may need to revisit, although Solarfix sews like butter for me and I see no reason to go back.
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If it ain't broke don't fix it. When I started with Tenara I switched needles based in my distributors recommendation also and it worked flawless for me.

-Kevin
 
techmitch said:
Damn Woody, 250 miles and being "pissed" would be putting it lightly for me. Did he actually know you were driving that far?
I would be boiling.
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My drive was 125mi one way, takes near 3 hrs. When I told him, he offered that we meet at noon. He definitely knew...I'm thinking he forgot to write me on his schedule after the phone conversation.
 
Just as a frame of reference and why it's an interesting topic, I just had a canvas guy come by the boat this week and got an estimate.

For it all said and done... $14k cash or check...He est. $3k in materials...Even at his high material cost, that's $11k in what he said he could turn around in two weeks....So, we actually went backwards on the pricing...If the est. of 40-50hrs is accurate (est. here), this one man / in his basement / that only takes cash / no employees / insurance? business is figuring on around $200/hr.... Now, if you think his materials costs were a bit fudged, then the hourly is even higher....
 
Boat Guy said:
Just as a frame of reference and why it's an interesting topic, I just had a canvas guy come by the boat this week and got an estimate.

For it all said and done... $14k cash or check...He est. $3k in materials...Even at his high material cost, that's $11k in what he said he could turn around in two weeks....So, we actually went backwards on the pricing...If the est. of 40-50hrs is accurate (est. here), this one man / in his basement / that only takes cash / no employees / insurance? business is figuring on around $200/hr.... Now, if you think his materials costs were a bit fudged, then the hourly is even higher....
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Unreal.
 
26FFB75A-114C-446F-9FD7-4FF60B3FF8CD.jpeg
What craftsman isn’t worth $200/hr
Seriously though, I think most fabricators charge a flat rate per panel
depending on the materials chosen.
If there is no shortage of work they will just unapologetically charge what they think they can get.
I’m teaching myself the craft. Just made a top and three piece windshield for a friend. I have about $500 in materials at wholesale. Maybe have another 700 for the rest of the enclosure. sail rite tutorials and patience so far has been really helpfull.
 
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Boat Guy said:
Just as a frame of reference and why it's an interesting topic, I just had a canvas guy come by the boat this week and got an estimate.

For it all said and done... $14k cash or check...He est. $3k in materials...Even at his high material cost, that's $11k in what he said he could turn around in two weeks....So, we actually went backwards on the pricing...If the est. of 40-50hrs is accurate (est. here), this one man / in his basement / that only takes cash / no employees / insurance? business is figuring on around $200/hr.... Now, if you think his materials costs were a bit fudged, then the hourly is even higher....
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My first and most important question would be. Have you seen any of his work? And then, what about references. Were you there the whole time while he measured so you guys could talk about any areas that you had concerns with or things you wanted changed?
 
I was there the whole time...He didn't really do much measuring and worked up the quote in a matter of minutes...

When I asked for a breakdown of materials / labor he said he doesn't quote like that and he, like was said earlier, uses the price per panel method like he said everyone else does around here....

I asked him about things he would do differently and he didn't really come up with anything...I told him I liked how my canvas was done, but I didn't know what I didn't know...The only comment he made was that the back camper top should have more support in the back. He felt the 13' (guess) width was too far. He said even the side should have a brace but it would interfere with getting on/off the boat where the step is on the port side... Other than that he mentioned the track edge on the radar arch, but my canvas already has that...

there must be a lot of people getting canvas work done....

edit: no I haven't seen his work...But honestly it doesn't matter...I'm not paying anywhere near that....Just not going to do it...esp. for a one man shop that wants to be paid in cash... This was more informational than consideration.

I might have him just redo the stitching and vinyl for the front to buy me some time....
 
Let me touch base with my guy. He's in North East MD. and normally doesn't travel nearly that far but I've known him for over 30 years. It is a busy time of the year. Annapolis area guys probably get Florida prices this time of year.

I'm am real interested in what Quint has to say about your quote.

#Carp That looks pretty good.
 
techmitch said:
Let me touch base with my guy. He's in North East MD. and normally doesn't travel nearly that far but I've known him for over 30 years. It is a busy time of the year. Annapolis area guys probably get Florida prices this time of year.

I'm am real interested in what Quint has to say about your quote.

#Carp That looks pretty good.
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Ok, thanks....

Re:Quint, so am I, but I'm guessing he's thinking he isn't charging enough...haha...In all seriousness, I think I'm showing my age expecting an honest days pay for an honest days work...Where are the tradespeople? Does anyone sew anymore?
 
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