Marine Fabricator March/April 2024 - 24

MFA FABRICATION * EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
HYBRID ENCLOSURES - SAILBOAT & POWERBOAT
OUTSTANDING
ACHIEVEMENT
Hayden Island Canvas
Hunter 33
Materials: Sunbrella®
Custom Fabrics LLC, TOP GUN®
Marlen Textiles, TUFFAK®
by Glen Raven
by
Marine 5
polycarbonate by Plaskolite Inc., O'Sea®
polished 40-gauge vinyl by O'Sullivan
Films Inc., SolarFix®
thread by Solar Fix
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
German Frers Enclosure
Materials: Plexiglas®
HVG Fabrics, Valmex®
SolarFix®
by Röhm GmbH, Regalite™
Fr 580 by Mehler Texnologies,
by
2000 Clear and Black thread by Solar Fix
Project Description: The client requested a removable
cockpit enclosure made from durable materials
with flexible sides that could be rolled up, be entirely
removable for transit and be designed to work
around winches. Mesh panels were integrated for
ventilation and to prevent mold growth. Additionally,
mesh was used at the back to provide convenient
access to the winches during transit, all while
ensuring that the clears wouldn't be damaged
during frequent removal. Project challenges included
making sure the reinforcing lines were accurately
aligned with the boat's contours while preserving the
boat's original appearance. The size of the reinforcing
had to be increased, as the hardtop sits relatively high
on the boat, and the horizontal reinforcements were
made thicker to maintain a streamlined look for the
cockpit enclosure without making it appear overly
tall. The customer was very impressed with the overall
outcome of the project, meeting all requirements
while enhancing the look of the boat.
Kustom Canvas & Vinyl
Queensland, Australia
kustomcanvas.com
24 Marine Fabricator | March/April 2024
Project Description: The customer
requested a full enclosure that worked
well with the cockpit of the boat and
could be operated from inside the
enclosure. The request included using
the stainless steel traveler arch for
the aft bimini with coverage in the
summer for the aft stern seats and
panels enclosing the main cockpit
for use during the winter. The traveler
arch on Hunter sailboats of this era
poses numerous design challenges.
Building the bimini directly off the arch
with a flap and zippers at the carefully
planned middle bow made it possible
to locate the aft panels exactly where
desired with plenty of strength. The side
panels required cutouts for the traveler
lines in multiple spots so they could be
operated from inside the enclosure,
along with zip-out winch access. The aft
top was built to overhang the aft stern
pulpit seats for shade during summer
use, but the panels were built to hang
from the middle bow and complement
the shape of the cockpit and avoid
bad angles.
Hayden Island Canvas
Portland, Ore.
haydenislandcanvas.com
OUTSTANDING
ACHIEVEMENT
Charlton's Marine Canvas
25-foot Parker
Materials: Stamoid Open by Serge
Ferrari North America Inc., TUFFAK®
Marine 5 polycarbonate by Plaskolite
Inc., O'Sea®
polished 40-gauge vinyl
by O'Sullivan Films Inc., SolarFix®
thread by Solar Fix, 18-ounce vinylcoated
polyester
Project Description: The project was a
full seven-piece three-sided enclosure.
This enclosure was designed to
provide a large area of protection
from the wind and waves when
the customer is fishing in the winter
weather. The challenge was to make
an enclosure that complemented
the boat's aesthetic look, offered
great visibility and also functioned
very easily. The window lines were
designed to flow smoothly from panel
to panel. Snaps installed on the front
of the console, hidden with a flap,
give it a very clean look. The wings
also have J-zippers to allow for very
easy access to the bow of the boat.
Otherwise, the customers would
have two zippers and a strap hook to
release to get forward, which would
not be fun. The front three panels are
rigid polycarbonate and the four side
panels are flexible glass to be rolled
up when needed.
Charlton's Marine Canvas
Yorktown, Va.
charltonsmarinecanvas.com
http://www.charltonsmarinecanvas.com http://www.haydenislandcanvas.com http://www.kustomcanvas.com
Marine Fabricator March/April 2024

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