Portland Canvas Shops

[Oregon Trail]

I need to have some re-stitching done on my aft enclosure as some of the thread has either come un-stitched or has disintegrated. Do any of you Portland area Tugnuts have a recommendation for a good local canvas shop?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Gin]

Hi Mike,

You won't go wrong with Hayden Island Canvas in the Janzen Beach area. We used them years ago with a different boat. Around RCYC (where we keep our boat), their reputation is tops. I look over their work every time I see it on a boat at our marina, or when I've seen their display at the Portland boat show, and no one does better construction or more creative design work than they do.

They charge top dollar though. For what you need, in terms of restitching, you can probably do with a more modestly priced shop. I have experience with only one other canvas shop in the Portland area, but my hunch is several could do your job just fine. We had side curtains made for our aft enclosure once we got the boat to Portland, and because the owners were friends of a friend, we went with Channel Marine ((503) 249-1949). They did a workman like job at a very decent price. Because of some personal circumstances, they got behind on ours and other projects. That wasn't a problem for us. I see their shop doors closed as often as I see them open (I drive by on the way to the boat), but I think they still have a going business.

There is a big difference in the quality of thread that can be used. So ask questions of whatever shop you use about that. The best of all is a Gortex thread (Tenara). It will outlast your canvas, but it is not used as much because it is about 10 times the cost of polyester and polyester dacron (much more common to use for marine canvas). You probably don't want to go with Tenara for resewing just a portion of your canvas. But you might ask about thread size -- 92 is common, but 138 will outlast it by a lot, and ask about it.

- Gini

 

[portlandtug25]

I've used Carol' s Custom Canvas on Bridgeton Road (just off Marine drive about at 12th) in the past and they did a good job, It was some years ago, but I assume the quality hasn't changed.

 

[Oregon Trail]

Thanks guys.
I went with Hayden Island Canvas, mostly because they were conveniently located for my boat. They did a fine job.
It seems the stitching on my canvas enclosure is beginning to disintegrate. (2012 CW28). I have always heard the canvas will outlast the stitching. I do leave the top section up year round, for rain protection and sun protection both, so there is a lot of exposure there. Now I need to have my side panels looked at.

Mike

 

[Gin]

We also leave the canopy up year round. I am making a point to take it off and give it a really good cleaning once a year, then re-treat with the 303 marine product for water repellency. I don't know if that will slow the rate at which the thread weathers, but I hope so. Our side panels don't get nearly as much use, and will probably outlast the top canopy by many many years.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I needed a little stitching done on our bimini canvas (not in Portland) this past summer and was advised to have the entire cockpit canvas restitched rather then just the area I needed. The reason was that if part of the canvas needed restitched then other areas would be soon to follow. Rather then have to take it back a second or third time it seemed more economical and time efficient to have the canvas completely restitched at one time.

Jim

 

[SGIDAVE]

I advise you specify Tenara thread or equivalent as it is made from a UV proof material, if you have new canvas parts made. It does cost more although shouldn't add more than 5% to the cost of the job - which will ultimately be far cheaper than restitching at 3-5 years.

dave