The Boat Guy: Choosing the Right Canvas Can Make or Break Your Investment – Part 1 Do Your Homework
Despite cloudy cooler weather, the crew is kept comfortable and dry thanks to a properly designed canvas set-up
November 5, 2026
by Marc Robic
Every season, for as long as I’ve owned my current boat, I’ve had people compliment me on my canvas and inquire about who made it and how it was designed. Luckily for me, the previous owner of my boat was of the same mindset as me, in that I adhere to a philosophy of not simply or blindly relying on asking product providers to make or sell me something and trust thatit will be what I really wanted and needed.
Next to or a new engine or new sails, choosing the design of your canvas can be one of the most important investments, and like new sails or a new engine, one that you will most likely have to live with, whether you’re happy or not. So, doing your homework before pulling the trigger on new canvas can definitely make or break your investment.
By the way, when I refer to investment, it goes well beyond the monetary outlay. It definitely includes the return on that investment which, in this case, is the enjoyment, year after year, season after season, of your canvas. From extending your season, protecting you and your crew and guests from the weather, sun and bow spray in strong breezes, a good and well-designed canvas set-up can be measured in all the extra opportunities to get out on the water. Including, in the case of a full enclosure, extending your season like a three-season closed-in porch at home.
Taking time to notice other boat canvas set-ups and designs, as well as documenting, via pictures, all the features you like, will go a long way in pinpointing what is important to you. If and when the opportunity comes up, ask boat owners what they like and don’t like about their set-up. What, if anything, would they have done differently if they could start over. And don’t just look at canvas designs on the same make and model boat as yours. Hereto, I’ve seen many boat owners regret assuming ‘’that’’ design was perfect. I would say that more that half the time, it was not.
It is not much of a surprise that many, perhaps most, canvas makers stick to a few designs they know well and propose as their best or most popular option. It’s your boat. Make sure the canvas maker you choose can create the design, features, ease of use, including installation and removal, that fits your wishes. If you’re in an area where boats must be hauled out every fall and launched in the spring, the ease of removal and re-installation every season should be considered a critical design feature. In my case, most times, I actually do so single handed.
In the case of a sailboat, another design consideration you need to ask yourself is; can you keep on sailing with the canvas in place? Of course, some sailboat mainsheet placement, in the cockpit for example, may prevent this. Meaning, if and when a sudden rain fall or squall happens, lowering and stowing the mainsail and setting the mainsheet on the outside of the cockpit coaming will be necessary in order to add the transition panel between the bimini and dodger.
Next time, we look at building the canvas enclosure to meet YOUR needs.
Marc Robic – The Boat Guy – Marc is a member of BoatCan who, with his wife, sails their Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. They are also regular Caribbean bareboat yacht charterers.
With over 40-years experience on boats, Marc is our OnBoard do-it-yourselfer.
