2019 Archive : “The Batmobile”

Project Details

Fabric 1

Weather Max ST
Producer: Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc.
Supplier: Safety Components Fabrics

Fabric 2

Solar Fix Thread
Producer: Solar Fix Thread
Supplier: Solar Fix Thread

Fabric 3

Soltis 86
Producer: Serge Ferrari North America Inc.
Supplier: Trivantage LLC

Design Name
Rob Kotowski

Design Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Fabrication Name
Rob Kotowski, G. Phillips, J. Koch

Fabrication Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Subcontractor Name
D. Boskovich, P. Gielow

Subcontractor Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Project Manager Name
Rob Kotowski

Project Manager Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Installation Name
Rob Kotowski, G. Phillips

Installation Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Please describe the project specifications

This felt-backed fabric boat cover was designed so it could be used as a trailering cover and also a cover that could be used in the boat owner’s boathouse. This customer needed protection from UV, water, and even unwanted bird droppings when stored in his boathouse. The customer did not want any snaps on this cover, so it is all custom fitted, designed and installed with secure shaping darts and webbing straps with life jacket clips to secure the cover while trailering.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The customer approached our company to design and build a cover that would work for him to tow his boat with and also a cover that would work for him while the boat was in his covered boathouse. The biggest problem our customer was having before we built this cover is that pigeons and birds would cover the bow of this boat in his boathouse with bird droppings. This boat would constantly have to be cleaned and he was an older gentleman who wanted to make things easier for him to maintenance his boat. This cover will protect his boats from the weather, UV and birds so it will look like new every time he opens it up.

What is unique or complex about the project?

We needed to find a fabric that had a protective felt liner and yet was also water repellent since the boat is all custom painted. The cover had to meet those requirements and also we needed to make sure it was built to a certain weight so that the customer, at his age would be able to lift it and put it on and off the boat. The customer also requested extra belting tie-down straps to the trailer to provide extra protection to the boat cover while traveling at high speeds on the highway. We also installed a screen rear section so when the boat is being trailered, the wind would not have any resistance on the towing performance and allow wind to move through easily and not damage the cover on a long highway travel. The most challenging part of this job was the patterning process and the layout process. This was a very large cover designed in multiple pieces with no snaps and shaping darts that provided a sleek look on the boat.

What were the results of the project?

The customer was very pleased with the new look on his boat. We met his expectations to deliver a cover that he could use while trailering and also when the boat is in the water in his boathouse. This covers keeps his boat protected from all elements and he is very happy with the results. After building this cover we were asked to build a custom storage bag for this large cover while not in use.

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