Company:
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella Fabric
Producer/Manufacturer: Trivantage LLC
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

60 Mil Polycarb
Producer/Manufacturer: Manart-Hirsch Co. Inc.
Primary Use: Window

Fabric 3

Strataglass
Producer/Manufacturer: Trivantage LLC
Primary Use: Window


Design Name
Rob Kotowski

Design Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Fabrication Name
Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Mark Durecki, Joseph Lechkun

Fabrication Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company

Installation Name
Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Mark Durecki

Installation Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company


Please describe the project specifications

This enclosure project was designed by our team for a 45’ Beneteau Oceanis. We fabricated a California Style Dodger with rigid polycarbonate windows and custom stainless handrails. We also created the entire 1 ¼” Stainless Dodger framework, and the new Stainless 1¼” framework for the Rear Bimini Top to have a proper design with the custom Stainless Arch fabricated on this boat. The customer was an engineer that came with a very large list of custom designs and mock-up CAD drawings that he wanted us to look at for our designs. Some were okay to use, and others, were not feasible. The customer wanted all the enclosure panels to work a particular way, having strict design requirements. We fabricated the entire job with 9 Strataglass enclosure window panels along with 4 solid duplicate screen panels, which are interchangeable to provide the customer with maximum ventilation. Our team was very nervous to show the client the final results as he was very particular and we didn’t know if he would like the job. We thought it turned out great, but we waited for his response in anticipation. When he looked at the job, we held our breath, he gave a huge smile and said “This is why I went with your company”.


What is unique or complex about the project?

This project required our entire team to work together from start to finish. All of our divisions were included on this project (Metal Team, Sewing Department, Pattern/ Install Team, and our CAD Team all had a helping hand in the final project. There is never anything easy on a sailboat project with everything involved with building a full enclosure. Hearing that the customer was pleased with the final project is a reflection on our team, and their passion for designing a superior project. Our customer told us he has the best looking boat in the marina because of our craftsmanship. We do not do many sailboat projects, and this one was one of the largest projects we have ever fabricated; giving us so much to be proud of!


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Rob Kotowski