Canvas Tops - Regional Pricing

**home made tunnel** · 08-23-2019, 05:26 PM

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.

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**nitro_rat** · 08-23-2019, 05:49 PM

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** · 08-23-2019, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by 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...

$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** · 08-23-2019, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by home made tunnel

$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** · 08-23-2019, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by mrichartz

But 8g is just an insult

I really wanted to throat punch the guy lol.

**mrichartz** · 08-23-2019, 06:38 PM

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** · 08-23-2019, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by mrichartz

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

Experts

**mrichartz** · 08-23-2019, 06:50 PM

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

**vtboy** · 08-23-2019, 07:38 PM

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** · 08-23-2019, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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

**flabum1017** · 08-23-2019, 08:51 PM

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** · 08-26-2019, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by home made tunnel

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.

**mrichartz** · 08-26-2019, 03:04 PM

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..