MARINE CANVAS
Ocean Tailors has built custom marine canvas on Cape Cod for over 20 years — and today, our primary focus has expanded to residential and commercial awnings, porch enclosures, and their ongoing seasonal service. To protect the craftsmanship our marine customers expect, we now accept a limited number of marine canvas projects each season.
When we do take on a boat, it gets the same standard we've built our reputation on: custom patterns made from scratch (never from your old canvas), marine-grade materials, and hand-finished work in our South Yarmouth shop.
If you're planning marine canvas work for the 2027 season, we recommend scheduling before December 2026 — our marine calendar fills early, and reserving your spot in advance is the best way to guarantee a spring installation.
What We're Currently Accepting
To keep turnaround times reasonable for the clients we do take on, we're currently prioritizing:
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Small enclosures (such as center console enclosures)
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Console & seat covers
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Small bow or cockpit covers
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Repairs — clear vinyl window replacement, zipper replacement, snap repairs
If your project fits within this scope, we'd love to hear from you. For larger, full-boat canvas projects, availability is more limited — reach out and we'll let you know honestly whether we can take it on this season.
Our Marine Canvas Process
Unlike our awning work, marine canvas requires the boat itself to come to us:
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Bring your boat to our South Yarmouth facility, by appointment, so we can create accurate custom patterns.
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Your boat stays with us for several days while patterning is completed.
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Fabrication typically takes 4–16 weeks, depending on the season and order volume.
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Final installation takes 1–4 days once your boat returns to us.
Because of the time and shop space this process requires, we intentionally limit how many marine projects we take on each season — it's what allows us to guarantee the same fit and finish quality on every boat we work on.
The Ocean Tailors Marine Canvas Difference
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Quality workmanship and a perfect fit are guaranteed
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We create a custom template for every project —
we never use your old canvas as a pattern -
Reinforcement patches are added to high-chafe areas
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Multiple layers of reinforcement wherever snaps and hardware are installed
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Zippered pockets for easy removal, storage, and washing
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Only top-quality, marine-resistant materials — marine-grade zippers, snaps, stainless steel tubing, and fastening hardware
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UV- and salt-resistant thread, with an upgraded thread option (guaranteed for the life of the fabric) available for a 5% upcharge
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Highest quality standards, best-in-class service, made in the USA
General Repair & Rejuvenation Services
Even outside of full custom projects, we service existing marine canvas and sails:
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Replace clear vinyl windows
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Zipper replacement
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Re-stitching
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Washing
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Re-treatment with water repellent
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General repairs
These repair services are a great option if your canvas needs a refresh but doesn't require a full custom rebuild.
~ Marine Canvas FAQs ~
How far in advance should I schedule marine canvas work?
We recommend scheduling at least one season ahead — for spring 2027 installation, we suggest booking before December 2026, since marine canvas slots fill early.
Why does my boat need to stay at your shop during the process?
We create custom patterns directly from your boat rather than using your old canvas as a template — stretched, weathered fabric can't produce an accurate fit. This means your boat needs to be on-site for several days during patterning. (Sail covers are sometimes an exception and can occasionally be copied from the original.)
What's the full process, from estimate to installation?
After an initial estimate, we collect a 50% deposit to begin the order. From there: templates are made onboard your boat, fabrication happens in our shop, and final installation takes place back on the boat.
What fabric should I use for my boat canvas?
It depends on the application — we commonly work with Sunbrella, Stamoid, and Top Gun, and help you weigh waterproof vs. water-repellent needs, UV resistance, abrasion resistance, and cleanability for your specific project.
How long does a marine canvas project take?
Fabrication typically takes 4–16 weeks depending on the season, followed by 1–4 days for final installation once your boat returns to us.
Do you offer marine canvas repairs without a full custom project?
Yes — we offer standalone repair services including clear vinyl window replacement, zipper replacement, snap repairs, re-stitching, and re-treatment with water repellent.
Do you still take on full custom marine canvas projects?
Yes, on a limited basis each season. Our primary focus has expanded to awnings and porch enclosures, so we prioritize smaller marine projects and repairs, but larger projects may be available depending on the season.
We accept a limited number of custom marine canvas projects each year. Boats must be transported to our South Yarmouth shop for patterning and later returned for installation. If this process works for your schedule, we'd be happy to discuss your project.