Boat canvas repair

[Ssor]

I have a favor to ask of all boat owners that have had repairs made to sail covers, biminis, dodgers and the like. I have a friend that is a meticulous worker and she has been repairing canvas boat accessories this winter. Resewing worn seams, replacing zippers, patching holes, reinforcing grommet holes, replacing webbing, etc. She is concerned that she can't charge enough for the time that it takes to do a perfect job. Will the members please post for me the types of repairs that they have had done and the cost of those repairs and how satisfied they have been with the service. Thank you all very much.
Ross in Bel Air

[skiffman]

Originally Posted by Ssor

I have a favor to ask of all boat owners that have had repairs made to sail covers, biminis, dodgers and the like. I have a friend that is a meticulous worker and she has been repairing canvas boat accessories this winter. Resewing worn seams, replacing zippers, patching holes, reinforcing grommet holes, replacing webbing, etc. She is concerned that she can't charge enough for the time that it takes to do a perfect job. Will the members please post for me the types of repairs that they have had done and the cost of those repairs and how satisfied they have been with the service. Thank you all very much.
Ross in Bel Air

"Resewing worn seams, replacing zippers, patching holes, reinforcing grommet holes, replacing webbing, etc."

Ross, these are such tedious jobs and most owners want to be boating & not doing these tough jobs on their canvas etc. Repairs here (Great Lakes area) are running about 25 bucks per hour for stuff that you mention above however, those are not marina prices! Many housewives with time on their hands are getting work through various marinas as the marina owners dont want to fuss around with that type of thing and having extra people on payroll. Most other repairs such as design work for replacement covers and actual fittings etc., run more of course and are usually priced by the total job with costs of materials being closely figured. I know a neighbor lady who has a great machine for sail-making & she is working 12 hour days right now getting canvas & sails ready for the Spring. She also does seamstress work for other women and tailoring for men. Talk about a busy lady....I think your friend should be paid very well for her work because it is grueling work and also very artistic. She should pick a rate comparable to what people make in the auto-building industry for example & stick with it, concentrating on being able soon to evaluate each job & price accordingly for the total job since most people like to hear a price up-front. Good luck to her.

LEVI (skiffman)

[skiffman]

By the way Ross, I think I met you on another site in the past. How are things in Bel Aire?
LEVI (Skiffman)

[Ssor]

Originally Posted by skiffman

By the way Ross, I think I met you on another site in the past. How are things in Bel Aire?
LEVI (Skiffman)

Talked in the past. Bel Air isn't as cold today as it was last week and not as cold as the forecast gives us for next week. Life is good, the holidays are here, yesterday was the solstice, spring is but 90 days away.

When we winterized the boat I found a little mildew starting under the Vee berth so I am working on ventilating that.

We didn't use he boat as much as we wanted last year so I told Nancy that come spring we are going to have to motor until we burn the tank of fuel and put fresh in for the season.

Have a happy holiday.
Best to you and yours.
Ross In Bel Air

[skiffman]

Sorry, I just now noticed that I spelled Bel Air wrong Ross. Mildew in a vee-berth sounds like old times with my former boat. I also used to get mildew under the bunks in the main cabin until I discovered that the kids were storing damp (no, wet) life jackets under there. But now my 12 foot skiff has no berth to keep aired out. I have old fuel to be used also so I will be using the "iron jib" in the Spring a lot. 90 days away for Spring but in Ohio we usually get a snow storm to usher in Spring Plenty of time to have visions of sugar plums and nice sailing breezes until then? Thanks for answering and we hope to talk to you again. Enjoy the Holidays Ross. LEVI

[Ssor]

Levi, There seem to be more ways to spell Bel Air than there are places with the name. Just for fun see how many sentences you can come up with that can be spoken but not written, Example; there are three ways to spell (to,too, two)

I think that I have mentioned in the past that I have a dedicated solar panel that drives computer fans for ventilation. so I shall cut a couple of holes in the offending area and place a fan in one of them.

[skiffman]

Quote; "I think that I have mentioned in the past that I have a dedicated solar panel that drives computer fans for ventilation. so I shall cut a couple of holes in the offending area and place a fan in one of them."

Ross, computer fans, a great idea that I never thought of when I owned the O'Day The fan I used did not match up well with the solar panel and would only run once in a while.

[Ssor]

Levi. The ones I use draw .8 watts and move 24 CFM. Six years now on the originals and still running .