Canvas installer ?

filthy_oar

New Member
Jul 24, 2017
14
boston,ma
Boat Info
2001 280 sundancer
Engines
2 mercruiser's with i/o
I was wondering if anyone on here new a canvas installer in the boston area ? i got a new canvas and had a little trouble putting it on, figured i would have a professional do it. If anyone had a contact info on an installer it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
 
What type of trouble? If its just that it's tight, I would wait for an actual warm day with sun (if we ever get one in MA).

You can use a tool like linked below to help pull the snaps into position. As a general rule put zippers together but don't zip all the way, just get them started, then run snaps from one side to the other. Don't rush, this will take a while and will take a lot of force. If the snaps are more than about 2" out of position there is no way your going to get them attached, but within 2" you should be good. It's also sometime possible to move the snap like on a windshield if the snap in in a channel. Even just doing a few snaps and letting it sit a half hour will make the next one easier.

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Snapper-Snap-Tool-Boat-Snaps/dp/B00GHU5PXO


If you have other fitment issues, you need an canvas maker to make changes or help. I don't know anyone in the Boston area, I would ask your boatyard/marine for a reference. If you need to go that route plan on waiting awhile, shops are very busy this time of year between those like me that wait to order new stuff until now, and those that ordered in fall but need to be fitted now that covers have been removed.
 
I don't know how far they travel, but I can highly recommend Harding Sails of Marion, MA for canvas work. They replaced my entire enclosure a few years ago, including a redesign of the aft section to turn it into a camper back. They did fantastic work, and have been good at making little updates to it that I wanted after a season of use. I saw that Graham, the owner, had a booth at the Boston Boat Show this winter, so I assume he's doing business in the Boston area. Unfortunately, I don't know if you'd be able to get them this time of year, as Scott mentioned, anyone who's good is really swamped this time of year. When I had my work done, I gave him the job in the fall, and he was able to do his patterns at that time, and then make the new bows and all the glass and canvas panels over the winter.

Sometimes the order that you put things on helps. Also, you might have a couple supports, for example, that have release pins. You can pop those, they give you a little slack and you can snap everything together. When you're done, you can usually pull down the supports, pin them, and now everything is tight again. After you've done it a few times, you'll know the order that's easiest to put together your canvas puzzle :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,759
Members
60,929
Latest member
Henchman
Back
Top