Why is marine canvas different from regular upholstery?
Marine fabrics are UV-stabilized, mildew-resistant, salt-tolerant, and engineered for constant flex and exposure to weather. Auto and furniture upholstery is built for indoor or short-exposure use and fails fast in marine conditions — fading, cracking vinyl, mildew bloom, broken stitching at flex points. The sewing technique, thread, hardware, and pattern-fit tolerances are also different. A boat cover that doesn't shed water is a boat cover that grows mildew.
How long does a custom bimini take?
Typical lead time is 2–4 weeks from measure to install, depending on season and frame complexity. Off-season turnaround (late fall through early spring) is faster — often 2 weeks. Spring peak can stretch to 4 weeks. We'll give you a real timeline when we quote.
Do you do warranty repairs on canvas you didn't make?
Yes for most cases. Send photos with measurements and we'll quote the repair. We don't honor other shops' warranties, but we can repair almost any marine canvas — restitching, zipper replacement, panel patching, frame work, window replacement. If the original work is past saving, we'll tell you that too.
What materials do you use?
Sunbrella for canvas and shade applications, Stamoid for enclosure window panels, Phifertex for breathable screening, and Sunbrella Horizon marine vinyl for seat re-upholstery. Marine-grade thread, zippers, and hardware throughout. The Materials & Warranty section above has the full breakdown by application and warranty term.
Which TYC location should I visit?
Depends on where your boat lives. Lake Simcoe boat owners typically visit Krates (Keswick). Port Severn / Georgian Bay boats are handled at Driftwood Cove. Brechin / Lagoon City boats at Grand Harbour. Toronto-area boats at our Unwin Avenue shop. Pick a preferred location in the form — or select "No preference" and we'll route you to the closest fit.