Canvas & Upholstery Work
Your bimini is sagging. The UV strip on the mainsail cover has turned to dust. The dodger window is cloudy and cracked where a winch handle caught it in a squall. And the cockpit cushions have absorbed three years of sweat, salt, and spilled coffee to the point where sitting on them feels like parking on a sponge.
Canvas work is the most visible maintenance on a cruising boat. A crisp new dodger makes a 1980s boat look loved. A sagging, torn bimini makes it look abandoned. And in the tropics, canvas isn't cosmetic — it's survival. Shade is currency. A good bimini is the difference between enjoying the cockpit at noon and hiding below deck with a wet towel on your head.
We've had canvas work done in five countries. We've learned that a good canvas worker is part tailor, part engineer, and part psychic — they need to visualize how the fabric will stretch, shrink, and flap in 30 knots before they cut the first piece.
Materials: What to Ask For
Sunbrella
The standard. Solution-dyed acrylic that resists UV, mildew, and fading. Comes in 50 colors. Lasts 7–10 years in the tropics if you wash it occasionally. We've had Sunbrella biminis survive three years of full tropical sun without significant fading. The secret is the solution-dyeing — the color goes all the way through the fiber, not just on the surface.
Stamoid
The premium option. Vinyl-coated polyester that's lighter, stronger, and more waterproof than Sunbrella. It doesn't breathe, so it's not great for sail covers that need to let moisture escape. But for dodgers and biminis in heavy rain areas, it's excellent. Costs 30–40% more than Sunbrella.
Mesh / Phifertex
For shade panels, trampoline material, and areas where you want airflow. Blocks 80–90% of UV while letting wind through. Essential in the tropics. We've added mesh side curtains to our bimini and the temperature in the cockpit dropped 10 degrees.
Clears (Isinglass / Strataglass / EZ2CY)
The windows in your dodger. Isinglass is old-school vinyl — cheap, cloudy after two years, cracks in cold weather. Strataglass is better vinyl — clearer, more flexible, lasts 4–5 years. EZ2CY is polycarbonate — rigid, incredibly clear, scratch-resistant, and expensive. We upgraded to EZ2CY in Martinique and it's like having glass windows that don't break.
What It Costs (Real Numbers, 2026)
| Item | Sunbrella | Stamoid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bimini (new, 40ft boat) | $1,200–2,200 | $1,800–3,200 | 3–4 bows, includes frame |
| Dodger (new) | $1,500–2,800 | $2,200–4,000 | Complex shapes at high end |
| Sail cover (mainsail) | $400–700 | $600–1,000 | Lazy jacks or stack pack extra |
| Winch covers (set of 6) | $120–200 | $180–300 | Simple, quick turnaround |
| Cockpit cushions (set) | $800–1,500 | $1,200–2,200 | Foam density matters |
| UV strip (mainsail, 14m) | $300–500 | N/A | Sewn to sail, not glued |
| Clears replacement (dodger) | $400–800 | $600–1,200 | Isinglass cheap, EZ2CY expensive |
The Frame Matters More Than the Fabric
A beautiful bimini on a weak frame is a tarp waiting to tear. The frame needs to be stainless steel (316, not 304), properly welded, and supported by straps or braces that prevent side-to-side movement. We've seen biminis ripped off in squalls because the frame flexed and the fabric shredded at the attachment points.
Ask your canvas worker: "Who builds the frame?" If they build it themselves, inspect their welds. If they subcontract, ask who. A good canvas worker partners with a good stainless fabricator. A bad one uses aluminum conduit from the hardware store.
Ports with Strong Canvas Support
- Martinique — Two excellent canvas workers at Cap Marina
- St. Maarten — Three canvas shops, quick turnaround
- Grenada — Sailmaker in True Blue does canvas
- Thailand — Phuket, excellent value, fast work
- Turkey — Bodrum, high-end work, reasonable prices