King Marine Canvas

Rick, formerly in the Canvas Riggers partnership, was working with EQ when he built my camperback with two sets of zip-in windows -- one set in eisenglass and one in screen. The quality was excellent. At the time, Les thought Rick had more design talent. Some time later I contacted him again and he was no longer accepting work.

I subsequently found Rick's former partner, working by the telescope shop, and had a conversation with him about some mods. When he found out that Rick had built my camperback he was not a happy camper :xnaughty because he thought he had an agreement with Rick that that Rick would not continue to do canvas work. A few months later I went back to set up an appointment with the partner (forget his name) and he was literally locking the door permanently that day.

There has to be a good canvas guy near here to serve all these boats -- I just have yet to find him or her!

Warren
 
In thinking about all this and the difficulty snapping etcetera, I had a possibly dumb thought. If my top is too tight I wonder what would happen if I unzipped the windows before trying to zip around the top. I have learned to do the snaps first while I can get at them but never unzipped the izenglass to see if that would supply more give to zip up. I did call dave at king marine yesterday and of course he was not available. I told his staff I wanted to come up 9/11 and have them do some adjustments but of course dave wasn't available that day. I have a feeling I am on my own.
 
I'd advise against snapping the bottom part of the panels down, then using the zippers to pull them together.

Too likely to break teeth off the zippers!!!

Then you DO have a problem!

The tools discussed above can be used to get ahold of the snaps and with two hands to stretch the fabric enough to get them snapped (sometimes).

Best preventative is to put the panels on often enough to keep them stretched out enough to fit. They seem to shrink up some in storage, particularly with heat.

Zippers can be lubricated lightly with Chapstick or silicone grease to keep them operating smoothly. They dry out with age and sunlight (UV & heat).

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
In 2004, King did my camper back and drop curtain. I also had some mods done to the bimini (added a zipped piece to the forward attachment for ease of getting in and out of the boat. I think Canvas Riggers came up with this mod idea) I also had King split the berth cushion so that I could more easily access the forward storage hatch. Dave was very accommodating, did excellent work, and I have no complaints. It is good canvas work and still looks new today. The camperback can be hard to put on, but with the hand snap tool, (A MUST) and knowing the sequence of bows, zippers and snaps, it works fine.

Robbi
 
Placid C came with a very nice bimini over the cockpit and with the necessary rigging to add side curtains later. The framing was durable stainless steel and I learned it was made by King Marine Canvas.

For some time we have been planning a trip on the Erie Canal with the group of Brats departing later this week. Of course the evenings will be spent on town walls and thus cabin privacy curtains are required. I first thought I'd order the Sunbrella material and make the curtains. However, after realizing that I would need heavy stitching and other tools I decided to order them from King since they had done such a good job on the bimini.

I called Dave on 8/17 and ordered the curtains. I followed up with an email. Both in the phone call and the email I explained that I needed the curtains well before mid-Sept due to the upcoming trip. In both the phone conversation and return email Dave assured me I'd have the curtains by early Sept. When I called King on 9/2 to inquire on the status a young lady told me that production of the curtains had been delayed since they had to order the Sunbrella material. She assured me they would be shipped on 9/4.

Not having received the shipment today, two days before departure, I called again. Supposedly the curtains were shipped on 9/8. However, the UPS tracking number I was given is not valid. As it stands now the young lady at King is attempting to get a valid number.

If no King curtains I guess I'll try to come up with something temporary, tacky though they may be, for the trip. I guess large towels or sheets cut to fit would be the logical alternative, held in place with velcro tape.

I'll definitely go elsewhere for the camper back sides.

Harper
 
On purchase of my boat from Boon Docks Boats, yes that is the SeaSport dealer in Bellingham and inquired about getting canvas work done, Jon Lindhout mentioned he uses 2 canvas makers locally, so might want to check that source out. Ane yes I had a great experience working with the SeaSport team.
 
Dave,

I seem to remember that ours was in the $1600 to $1800 range. If you get one, make sure that it has zippers in the top that will allow you to step down into the boat from a dock. Without the zipper, you either disconnect at the back of the cabin, or crawl in from hands and knees..

Steve
 
jhwilson":ic8xu5rw said:
...

I called Dave on 8/17 and ordered the curtains. I followed up with an email. Both in the phone call and the email I explained that I needed the curtains well before mid-Sept due to the upcoming trip. In both the phone conversation and return email Dave assured me I'd have the curtains by early Sept. When I called King on 9/2 to inquire on the status a young lady told me that production of the curtains had been delayed since they had to order the Sunbrella material. She assured me they would be shipped on 9/4.

Not having received the shipment today, two days before departure, I called again. Supposedly the curtains were shipped on 9/8. However, the UPS tracking number I was given is not valid. As it stands now the young lady at King is attempting to get a valid number.

If no King curtains I guess I'll try to come up with something temporary, tacky though they may be, for the trip. I guess large towels or sheets cut to fit would be the logical alternative, held in place with velcro tape.

I'll definitely go elsewhere for the camper back sides.

Harper
Click to expand...

Harper, I think I would ask King for some free additional product, or a reasonable discount on the work if you don't get the curtains prior to your trip. From what it sounds like, you had an oral contract and expectations that were not met.

Steve
 
Wandering Sagebrush,
Thanks, things seem to be a lot more expensive in New Jersey. The good news is it has zippers under the bows, the sides are two piece with a vertical zipper in the middle and the front panel has a u shaped zippered panel to get in the cockpit. The back is three piece. The front edge that goes on the roof has a slide in bead (track) arrangement that also has a zipper to make it easy to get on and off. The frame has quick disconnects. I was pleasantly surprised the people who did mine were very competent (Jean's Canvas Belford N.J.) and had it done when they said they would etc. Other than them the canvas guys seem to be to busy or not interested. You would think the economy was smoking with the kind of customer service I witnessed, no return calls, no answers, we don't do camperbacks etc. I took my boat to them it took two weeks to complete. One thing they were not was cheap, but it looks nice and fits well. I will add pics to my album soon.
D.D.
 
My multiple experiences with King Marine mirror Robbi's. I'm still satisfied years after Dave and his team's attentive work.

In 1995 I bought a full canvas cover that drops below the blue hull trim. I did need to assert that was important to me, as Dave thought a little differently. I've found it's necessary to do my homework, know what I want, listen, but stay true to what I desire.

Point is, that cover, and the five other paterns, still fit like new, the original snaps are snug, there are no tears, tears, leaks or loose threads, and Bambina smiles knowing she's so well dressed. I don't use a hand snap tool, but Robbi's comment about sequence is fitting. Too, Vaseline and Q-Tips keeps swivels and snaps happy together for years. And when two 20 year old rivets broke, Dave and Seda fixed them for free a few days later.
 
I also had a bimini with stainless frames made for the Mary Ellen several years ago. I ordered directley from Dave and he installed it at the Auburn Factory. The fit and finish are great. He also made me a sunbrella cover for the v-birth hatch which is very nice for sleeping. I have sunbrella window covers and the stick on velcro needed to be relaced in a couple of places and I called and it was sent in a timely manner. I have been very pleased with all products and service.
 
I was disappointed with the interest level from several canvas companies
when I wanted window covers for GOYO, and also with the quotes. I did
make them myself and was surprised how easy it was. I ordered the material to match the interior from sunbrella central in florida (65.00)
I went to local craft store and bought the edging (5.00). I made templates
with butcher paper (5.00), I still have the templates if anyone needs them.
After I cut them out I took the material and edging to the local shoe store. He sewed on the edging for 50.00. Installed snaps so that I could
remove a window frame screw and replace it with a snap base (25.00)
Project done looks identical to factory option curtains I saw. Done in 10
days including shipping material from florida to washington. When not in use I stack them, roll them, and put them in one of those folding chair bags. Stored on overhead shelf or on v berth shelf. :D
 
Well, we did finally receive the cabin curtains from King and got them installed, at least to be able to use them, yesterday. King failed to enclose the promised tool to install the snaps. That entailed a search in this very rural area. Finally found the tool at a small hardware store. The packaging was so old it was probably shipped on the Mayflower, but it worked fine.

The quality of the curtains are good, not perfect but better than I could have done.

We are on the road to the Erie Canal spending last night in Roanoke, Va.

Harper
 
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