Canvas Tops - Regional Pricing

[home made tunnel]

Hey all - So I've been calling around Rhode Island asking local canvas folks for pricing to replace a bimini top, and enclosure for my new boat. One guy quoted me ... get this ... $8,000 !!!!!

A brand new Bimini top with framework is only $150 on Amazon. How do these canvas folks justify the pricing ?!

Is it cheaper in Florida? or wherever you're from?


This is the top I was quoted $8,000 for : I'm still laughing several hours later hahahahahaha.
A Mechanics shop rate of $100 an hour, plus $1,000 for materials... that would be a full 2 weeks worth of labor. No way it takes 2 weeks to make an enclosure like this. I'd give it a full 8 hour day - maybe day and a half.


447258

[nitro_rat]

A used commercial sewing machine can be had for less than a grand if you hunt around. Do you have the original for a pattern? I know you're the DIY type...

[home made tunnel]

A used commercial sewing machine can be had for less than a grand if you hunt around. Do you have the original for a pattern? I know you're the DIY type...

$795 for a commercial / industrial grade machine from SailRite.com. I've watched a few hours worth of tutorials on their YouTube page too. I am a DIY guy haha ... I'm THIS close to ordering one. As soon as I hear back from a couple more local shops, it will persuade me to order a machine or not.

[mrichartz]

$795 for a commercial / industrial grade machine from SailRite.com. I've watched a few hours worth of tutorials on their YouTube page too. I am a DIY guy haha ... I'm THIS close to ordering one. As soon as I hear back from a couple more local shops, it will persuade me to order a machine or not.

That's what I'd do and once you start using it you find out how many other things you can do seats tops etc and save some money... But 8g is just an insult

[home made tunnel]

But 8g is just an insult
I really wanted to throat punch the guy lol.

[mrichartz]

Went to a local boat canvas place supposed to be good asked for tenara thread said no idea what I was talking about..then gave me a price I laughed and left .. wasn't as insulting as yours though
Used another local guy ... Should have done it myself!
But didn't have a machine anymore

[nitro_rat]

asked for tenara thread said no idea what I was talking about..then gave me a price I laughed and left ..

Experts :nonod:

[mrichartz]

This is the cheap thing I got to redo my cockpit cover years later $30 and used tenara thread cost more than the machine..but it worked.. lol..
Years ago when I had a machine and made my seats realized it's worth it not that hard.. depending on what your doing
447268

My brother finally got a machine and was shocked how easy it was to do!

[vtboy]

Hi I have a $40 singer it,s 60 years old I,m doing my LTV right now. I what thur this 10 years ago. I,m a machinist and engine builder
so ITS A SEWING MACHINE !!! I,ve done a few now . Master piping, making cord ,french seam, and just dive in every seat, top, etc
you well get better. I,ll get some pic,s soon to show

[home made tunnel]

Hi I have a $40 singer it,s 60 years old I,m doing my LTV right now. I what thur this 10 years ago. I,m a machinist and engine builder
so ITS A SEWING MACHINE !!! I,ve done a few now . Master piping, making cord ,french seam, and just dive in every seat, top, etc
you well get better. I,ll get some pic,s soon to show

If I can weld any type of metal with any process... I know I can be a seamstress lol. Show and tell time!!!

[flabum1017]

Call the boat manufacturer, they may still have the patterns and be able to make them for you at a good price. Many times it's cheaper to get the O.E.M. stuff, I know down here you can get the SeaRay canvass fairly reasonable.

[tnelsmn]

If I can weld any type of metal with any process... I know I can be a seamstress lol. Show and tell time!!!

After reading this thread I'm starting to think the same thing for my interior rebuild. :cheers:

[mrichartz]

Was just looking again and the machine I had was only $450 and worked great the one my brother just got was just under $600 and plenty of machine to do seats covers etc..next time I need anything just going to buy another machine and do it myself again...
Biggest thing is the patterns for the bigger stuff like covers...was a bit if a pain figuring it out at first..But still rather do that than deal with over priced or **** work.!!

I mean the bucket seats and interior I did were easy as hell and still had piping , stripes, etc..

[vtboy]

447537447538447539447540447541Sorry pic,s just a few staples to hold in place , cutting more , no pattern , I,m slow , $40 singer

[LakeFever]

You can buy a cobbler sewing machine on Amazin for about 150 bucks that will sew that up. Youtube it, lots of people using them now

[mrichartz]

You have me looking for another machine now!
There are alot if really good machines out there for a really good price.
Hell even some serious industrial machines with tables for less than $400...what I'm looking at worth it to make easy work of it makes it easier to bigger stuff

[home made tunnel]

You can buy a cobbler sewing machine on Amazin for about 150 bucks that will sew that up. Youtube it, lots of people using them now

Heres one, although the amount of time I’d save is probably worth the extra $500 to buy a powered one. But that thing is AWESOME! I love manual trinket stuff like this.


https://youtu.be/zawvl5ZZIdI

[mrichartz]

But like mentioned above this if you want to spend the money hell even do embroidery on everything.
447543
But really would have to be looking to use to make sone money too for that price..
Like vtboy said $40 will get you one used that will do the job..

https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-in-Power-Stand-with-Workhorse-Servo-Motor?gclid=CjwKCAjwqZPrBRBnEiwAmNJsNm89XPeieDIsVfFteTraxmRJhy2er7b13mSlla5-yLFB5UfShvRTUhoC2PcQAvD_BwE

[home made tunnel]

447543


https://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Fabricator-Sewing-Machine-in-Power-Stand-with-Workhorse-Servo-Motor?gclid=CjwKCAjwqZPrBRBnEiwAmNJsNm89XPeieDIsVfFteTraxmRJhy2er7b13mSlla5-yLFB5UfShvRTUhoC2PcQAvD_BwE

It's Decided. I'm buying a machine.
Got quotes from about half dozen different places.
From reputable mom/pop shops, to high volume shops, to young kids just getting into it.
$5,500 was the lowest quote I got, $8k being the most.

My butthole hurts haha. I'll pick up a new skill.

[TraceF3]

Hey all - So I've been calling around Rhode Island asking local canvas folks for pricing to replace a bimini top, and enclosure for my new boat. One guy quoted me ... get this ... $8,000 !!!!!

A brand new Bimini top with framework is only $150 on Amazon. How do these canvas folks justify the pricing ?!

Is it cheaper in Florida? or wherever you're from?


This is the top I was quoted $8,000 for : I'm still laughing several hours later hahahahahaha.
A Mechanics shop rate of $100 an hour, plus $1,000 for materials... that would be a full 2 weeks worth of labor. No way it takes 2 weeks to make an enclosure like this. I'd give it a full 8 hour day - maybe day and a half.


447258


I'll make one, deliver it to BIMINI, and install it for $7500. Look at what you get for $500 less :D

[89LASER]

Amity Harbor Marine here on Long Island was a Chapperal dealer, I wonder if they have any new/old stock to fit your boat?