Marine Canvas Training Workshops

My wife Deb and I have been in the marine canvas business for more than 30 years. We have acquired a vast knowledge of quality canvas fabrication techniques that we wish to share with other fabricators. Our unique methods of fabrication have been featured in numerous articles for Marine Fabricator Magazine. Our Large Binder featured in the articles can be purchased here on our web page.

Our canvas training workshops are hands on and very comprehensive in scope. They are geared to both beginners and experience fabricators that want to refine their skills. We prefer to keep our classes limited in size to 4 or 5 students at a time. We believe this class size lets you learn faster and more effectively. Deb and I teach as a team, so there are two instructors in every workshop. Students will be provided with a very comprehensive manual complete with illustrations and photos covering every aspect of the workshop. We will teach you to pattern and fabricate high quality dodgers, biminis, enclosures and cushions that command top dollar and set us apart from the other canvas schools.

Mark Hood is a Certified Master Fabric Craftsman (MFC) certified by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Mark is a member of the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA)

Workshop Schedule

Basic Workshop:

We teach you the basics of running and setting up a canvas shop. Everything you need to know to get up, running and selling canvas at a profit. We teach you sewing techniques, patterning and frame bending using Tom Hunter's EZ-Frame program. The basics of proper frame design are covered. We fabricate a bimini in the shop from start to finish. 3-Days $950 per person

Bimini Enclosure Workshop:

We teach you our unique method of building a bimini enclosure in one step using our proprietary "flip trace" method of creating bimini visors. We also teach you how to use our large binder to dramatically speed up quality enclosure fabrication. It assumes you have a basic working knowledge or have taken our basic workshop. We set up a frame, pattern and construct a bimini enclosure in the shop during this workshop. The techniques covered are very unique and this is an excellent workshop for those established shops that would like to refine their skills. Our most popular workshop! 4-Days $1,250 per person

Dodger Workshop:

This is an advanced workshop geared towards those shops that would like to add high quality sailboat dodgers to their knowledge base. Dodgers are a profitable addition to any shop. We set up pattern and fabricate a dodger in the shop from start to finish using our unique methods. We teach you some of the challenges sailboats and sailors present and how to address each one effectively. The Bimini Enclosure and Dodger Workshops go well together. This year we are offering special pricing to attend both Workshops back to back. See our Workshop Schedule Page for details. 3-Days $1,150 per person

Cushion Workshop:

We teach you the basics of patterning, cutting and sewing cushions of all types. We teach you how to angle to fit a hull, make up welt cord and align corners correctly. We also teach you to cut foam correctly and stuff your covers the easy way. Cushions are a profitable addition to any shop and help fill the long winter months. They are also excellent for shops that are just getting started as they are fast and easy to make once you know how. 3-Days $950 per person

Two Day Private Workshop:

Mark and Deb are available for private one on one training here at our shop in Merrimac, MA. We can tailor the workshop to any of the areas of custom fabrication that you would like to learn or improve upon. This is an excellent workshop for prior students that would like to learn a little more on certain areas of fabrication. We can set up times to meet your needs or schedule. 2-Days $1,250

Workshop Information and Details:

We are an active canvas shop, so our students will get a real idea of how a busy canvas shop runs and is set up. We are located in Merrimac, Massachusetts on the border with New Hampshire. We are just upriver from the historic and busy seaport of Newburyport, Massachusetts. There are many interesting places to visit, eat or just walk the river on the boardwalk. We have a low corporate rate at the local Fairfield Inn by Marriott Please call them at 978-388-3400 to make a reservation. You need to mention that you are a student of Hood Canvas when booking. They are just down the road from us off I-95 and the rate includes a free breakfast. We are a short drive north of Logan International airport in Boston, MA <BOS> or a short drive south of Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH <MHT> Be sure to bring a dedicated digital camera with plenty of storage capacity and batterys. We will provide lunch and friendly conversation during the workshops. We start in the morning at 9am and run to about 5pm each day. For more information or to reserve a space in our upcoming workshops, call or e-mail Mark or Deb. Payment can be made by either sending a check, or by clicking on our Pay Pal link below:

Thanks, Mark and Deb