The Upholstery Forum

I'm retiring from my profession and looking to start a small, word-of-mouth marine canvas-and-upholstery gig. I have been doing canvas work on my sailboat (covers, restitching, dinghy covers), and I have fully re-upholstered my 2003 Supra Launch. No experience with biminis or enclosures. I have only restitched a couple of Dodgers. I enjoy the work, don't need a full-time/part-time income, and have a 1100 sqft shop, machine, and associated tools. Essentially its already there but needing some additional stuff. I also have a full woodworking shop and am versed in furniture/cabinetry.

I'm looking at The Boat Canvas University out of MD and looking for actual input on its impact from those who have attended as well as basic input on the program vs costs.

It's a week-long in-person where you make a fully enclosed bimini and go over shop/business strategies for estimated/quotes. The class gives a full year of support from the instructors, unlimited access to their video series (like Sailrite but limited to students), and access to their private FB page, which is another interaction for students and instructors.

It's expensive at over $7800, which includes lodging, but appears to be well structured with the main focus on patterning systems and how to apply the system to other boats and applications.

I'm looking forward to your input.

You already have woodworking skills. Honestly do not be but once you start doing sewing andcover work you will be flooded with calls for furniture. You would have to invest in nothing then at all.

I'm not against it. I still really enjoy woodworking but there isn't any money it in for furniture building and cabinetry is to overwhelming on space and materials and finishing. I migrated to canvas/upholstery because there is a lot of overlapping skills and you don't have to sand and finish it.

Anyone out there have experience with Boat Canvas University?

Our apprentice went last spring and had really good things to say. In addition to the sewing and patterning techniques, they covered installing, estimating and billing. It's expensive, but you'll otherwise learn these lessons the hard way costing you time and likely material too. If you can swallow the cost, you'll have a big head start