T&T: dinghy cover

[Robert Phillips]

Being that I own and run a high end canvas shop in Tortola, I have a 
few comments to make about pricing and materials.  I won't build 
anything that I can't pattern and there is no such thing as "standard" 
or "generic" when it comes to boats or dinghies.

I try not to use anything marine, although I will use Sunbrella if we 
have to match existing canvas.  We use only Gore-Tex Tenara thread and 
have for thirteen years.  It is $85.00 a 1/2 pound, so 8x more than 
Dabond 2000, which only lasts 18 - 24 months if horizontal in the 
Caribbean.

The labor rate in Seattle is likely $65 - $75 per hour; the boat is 
probably 1/2 - 1 hour away from the shop; it takes two people to 
pattern unless very light air and very dry; the build time is 3/4 - 1 
day; fit time 1 -2 man hours; a dinghy cover that can be put on while 
the dinghy is in the davits is a very intricate piece of canvas, as is 
one that can be installed when the dinghy is in the water.

Tube covers are also very intricate if the hand holds and other pieces 
stuck to the tubes are to be usable with the cover in place; not 
uncommon to have two to three days of work in a fifteen foot RIB tube 
cover.

There are boats that look fine with "generic" and there are yachts that 
require properly fitted canvas, fitted by a craftsman who will stand 
behind what he builds and will guarantee a proper fit.

Bob Phillips,
Another Asylum, Tortola, BVI