[C320-list] Dodger and Bimini fabricators

Wed Apr 8 06:44:20 PDT 2015

 I have read several poor reviews for the Canvas Store.

    http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/boat-covers-tops-and-upholstery/the-canvas-store-in-huntington-ny-94961/
 http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=72571

 rom: billapt <billapt at yahoo.com>   
 Subject: [Catalina 28] Avoid the Canvas Store in Huntington NY   
 To: catalina28 at yahoogroups.com   
 Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 5:48 PM   

      Trying to do business with the canvas store has truly been a disappointing and frustrating experience . They certainly have not "renewed my investment " as they claim to do in their advertising in Mainsheet magazine and instead ruined or lost it .   
 In short, it has been eight months since I placed my order with this vendor . I do not have the new dodger that I ordered, I don't have the dodger I sent him. I am out the $94 in shipping charges it cost to send a second improperly built dodger back. I have now been threatened with legal action and accused of criminal intent .   
 In good faith I sent him my original dodger to be duplicated and have received nothing but trouble in return. I really wish I had read the google reviews on this business before hand . Check it out for your self . Bad products and service. If you want the whole two page complaint with photos I will email it direct . Thanks    
 Bill Apt SV L.O.L C28 MK1    

    This was my experience.
 Lew
 https://us-mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=2fi3is4j76r0r#8022672951

-----Original Message-----
From: John Zienda <jzienda at sbcglobal.net>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Wed, Apr 8, 2015 9:16 am
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dodger and Bimini fabricators

What are the price ranges for the new canvas?  

John Zienda

> On Apr 7,
2015, at 10:05 PM, Kaare Wold <sailor3952 at charter.net> wrote:
> 
> Jeff,
Thanks for your informative discussion. You presented many important facts on a
subject that many of us have limited experience.
> Kaare Wold. Sheet Music
#945
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Apr 7, 2015, at 9:34 PM, Jeff Hare
<Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> While I won't make any
recommendations outside of the Massachusetts
>> north-shore area, I can offer
some pointers on what you might want to ask
>> your prospective canvas
fabricator.
>> 
>> * Thread:  There is a massive difference in thread your
canvas maker might
>> use.  Polyester V92 UV resistant thread is about $15 for
a small spool. It
>> used to be the standard.  It'll last a few years. 
SolarFix or Tenara thread
>> is a PTFE pretty much lifetime guaranteed thread
that's a ton stronger and
>> costs well over $120 for the same little spool.
This stuff has to be cut
>> with scissors, not even a hot knife goes through
it. If you drive a hard
>> bargain, these are the first kinds of things that
get compromised.  You
>> won't be happy.  Insist on either SolarFix or Tenara
and get it in writing.
>> 
>> * Window material:  O'Sea makes one of the best
clear vinyl window materials
>> out there today.  I think it's US made, has
maximum UV stability, great
>> scratch and chemical resistant barrier.
Unaffected by sun tan lotion, insect
>> repellant, jet fuel vapor, etc.. 
Strataglass is also very popular name also
>> but doesn't hold up to chemicals
as well but does block 100% of UV.
>> Personally, I prefer that my windows all
have covers and use twist-lock
>> (common sense fasteners) to hold them on. 
This makes a huge difference in
>> the life you get out of the glass, but some
fabricators will tell you they
>> don't work.  Ours are 14 years old and are
still perfectly clear.
>> 
>> * If the fabricator says they can just make a
new dodger/bimini using your
>> old one as a pattern, don't walk, RUN the other
way.  They are not a
>> fabricator you want to work with.  This does not work
(unless you don't care
>> about having a nice tight, properly fitting
dodger/bimini/connector anyway).
>> You cannot pattern a new piece of canvas
from an already tensioned piece.
>> It will be a floppy mess within a year
because of the way the materials
>> shrink/stretch and mold to the frame.  You
won't be happy.
>> 
>> * If a fabricator says that they'll need to do some
work to adjust your
>> frame, Let them.  Just because your old frame held your
last dodger/bimini
>> just fine doesn't mean that it's still shaped perfectly
for building a new
>> one based on how new fabric gets tensioned.  A good
fabricator will
>> pre-tension the frame, make a pattern out of Tyvek or other
pattern material
>> and when the new canvas goes on it'll be drum tight and
shrink/stretch and
>> become a perfect fit over the first few weeks.  (window
material will
>> shrink, Sunbrella will shrink differently width vs length)
etc.
>> 
>> * If you're trying to replace just a dodger or just a bimini and
want
>> someone to make a connector between a new and old part, it's actually a
good
>> sign when the fabricator suggests that if you can't do the whole thing
now,
>> maybe wait a year and then get the whole thing done at once.  They're
not
>> just trying to sell you more stuff, it's about the way the tensioning
works
>> between new and old canvas.  Also, you'll likely be back in a few
years to
>> have the other piece redone and will again have this mismatch
between the
>> tensions of fabric (which produces ripples and lines that
look
>> unprofessional).  So while it seems "simple" it's really really
difficult to
>> get a good fit this way.  Good fabricators won't want that as
an example of
>> their work as it hurts business.
>> 
>> Finally, there can
be a pretty wide difference in price between a very well
>> done
dodger/bimini/connector and a poorly made one but there doesn't have to
>> be
that wide of a difference.  Ask to see several examples of their work for
>>
the style of dodger you're asking to be made. Don't argue price or try to
>>
work one canvas maker's price against the other.  There's never a reason for
>>
a good fabricator to have a sale, so beware.  Good fabricators are busy, bad
>>
ones aren't or will lowball the price to get the work.  There are always
>>
exceptions of course.
>> 
>> I'm much more observant when I look at canvas
work in the marina these days
>> and it's getting easier to spot the good work
from the junk.  More canvas
>> fabrication classes lined up this fall for
us!
>> 
>> There... :)  That's my $.02
>> 
>> Cheers!
>> -Jeff Hare
>>
#809
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>> Of Stephen
Kaplan
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2015 7:58 PM
>> To:
C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dodger and Bimini
fabricators
>> 
>> Anyone have recommendations for a quality craftsperson to
fabricate and
>> install a Bimini in the Marina del Rey area.  Also the pro and
cons of
>> coaming vs rail mounts.   I have a Helmsman seat which bridges
across the
>> swim ladder opening thus already crowded at the helm.
>> 
>>
Saline #980
>> Steve
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
>> Of John
Zienda
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2015 1:54 PM
>> To:
C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Dodger and Bimini
fabricators
>> 
>> I am having my done at The Canvas Store in  Huntington, NY

>> 
>> John Zienda
>> Cell (630) 408-3076
>> 
>>> On Apr 7, 2015, at 2:04
PM, Jeffrey Kapec <jkapec at tkdg.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hello:  I am
searching for a high quality canvas fabricator.  I would 
>>> like
>> to
replace the canvas on my old dodger 2000 vintage and have a rail mount
>>
Bimini.   Located in Connecticut close to New York.  Does anyone have some
>>
recommendations.
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> 
>>> Jeff Kapec
>>> Petite Suite  Hull
718
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast
antivirus software.
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>> 