Archives

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella
Producer/Manufacturer: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

Tuffak Marine 5
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Secondary Fabric

Fabric 3

YKK #10 Zippers
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Fabric 4

Solarfix PTFE Thread
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: OTHER

Fabric 5

Pull the Dot Fasteners
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Hardware/Findings

Design Name
Keri Ames

Design Company
Yachtsman's Canvas

Fabrication Name
Keri Ames

Fabrication Company
Yachtsman's Canvas

Installation Name
Keri Ames

Installation Company
Yachtsman's Canvas

Please describe the project specifications

This project consists of a full canvas installation – dodger with frame, bimini with frame, and connector. The boat is an early 80’s era classic 34’ Sabre. My client is restoring this classic boat and requested to keep the dodger design to its traditional roots and provide flexibility of use for different weather conditions.

Looking at the dodger frame, the crown was designed to match the crown of the cabin top. The shoulder width of the frame was not tapered in to align with the cabin top, but instead, the shoulder and mounting widths were kept the same. By keeping these equal, it extends the dodger top several inches both to the port and starboard and opening up the area by widening the space underneath and eliminating an impeding tapered frame. A slight convex curve was added to each panel matching and continuing the crown line of the dodger top, down the sides to the cabin top. This created a softer look and visual of the dodger shape with panels complementing the overall lines of the cabin top. The dodger is designed with five removable panels allowing maximum flexibility to remove in any combination for maximum air flow on hot summer sailing days. By keeping the fabric breaks limited to the 1 1/2” zipper widths, it provides a very open glass appearance with full visibility.

Next, keeping my client’s needs in mind, the bimini window line was ended inches higher than traditionally seen serving two purposes. The first, with my clients height, it provides better visibility without the need to continually duck his head down to see. Secondly, it allows for a higher connector while maintaining a matched line at the bimini and connector. The additional height of the connector opens the area to board into the cockpit which means less bend and duck for my client.

In addition to the subtle custom designs, clean custom finishes can also be found throughout this project. These include custom bimini and dodger visors matching the exact crown of the corresponding frames allowing to lay nice and flat. Another example is the dodger topside connector zipper flap fabricated to match the curve of the top. This customization allows for the flap to also stay nice and flat and not pop up towards the ends. This cover provides plenty of UV protection and with matching fabric to the chafing patch, it blends in nicely with the dodger top. The bottom side of the flap was finished in matching acrylic fabric.

What is unique or complex about the project?

The challenge of this project was a client a large stature and small cockpit area. the project presented an opportunity understand the reaction of different materials used, in this case polycarbonate, to create a finished look in a different way not previously done. Meaning the shaping of convex side panels to match and continue the crown of the frame, allowing a non tapered frame but a pleasing finished shape. The use of a more modern fabric color and modern materials blended well to update the look while still keeping to a traditional style more in line with the era of the boat.

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