About Florida Boat Canvas
Serving the Florida Gulf Coast, from Palmetto to Boca Grande.
We manufacture boat canvas and enclosures as third-generation tailors and manufacturers.
Our mission is for precise and custom work, delivered reliably and on time.
Our Story & Mission
I grew up in this business. Southern New Jersey was a hub of clothing manufacturing at that time, and our extended family owned two of the largest firms in that area.
As my dad, the youngest of eight, was preparing to return from Germany in 1945, he got a letter from his brothers: “Don’t worry about a job. You’re with us.”
Several years earlier my grandfather, uncles and aunts worked for a pants factory in tiny Rosenhayn, NJ. One night the conversation at the dinner table was very different. The eight of them decided to open a factory on the family farm.
But many years later, it was my mother’s father, an Italian-trained tailor, that made them successful. An amazing man, sought after by some of the largest names in clothing, such as London Fog and others, he first trained in Naples, Italy as a child, using the grid of the family floor’s tiles for his work drawing. As a teen he came to Philadelphia and opened his own multiple-employee business. It was toward the end of his career he joined my father, elevating them from a pants factory to a “#5 coat factory”–the highest classification for detail and excellence, as in Marine dress uniforms.
I fondly remember my first suit, hand-tailored at age five, a labor of love for his two grandsons. I remember those initial measurements, and a suit of canvas, made and fitted from it. Then deconstructing this for patterns, he made the final fabric suit, tailoring the final adjustments. Oh how I’d love to have that suit to this day; but the memories will nonetheless last a lifetime.
In summers, I also grew up on the water, reminiscent of my paternal great-grandfather, a sea captain. We know boats and boaters.
Mission:
Often, as I sit at the machine, I think of my family; my dad, uncles and aunts, and the three-hundred plus employees many of whom were as family; my maternal grandfather, and the precision and excellence of his leadership, and also my dad’s father, whose personal machine is in my shop to this day,
My mission is that you experience a small piece of the joy and excellence in fabric, that I have.
–Don Chinnici
Quality Work
Our dedication to quality is paramount in everything we do. Your boat will have a showpiece you can be proud of.
Timeline
We are currently several months out in our work schedule. But upon inspection of your boat, we’ll quickly provide you with a proposal and expected time schedule for delivery.
Third Generation Tailor
We are third generation tailors. We have been in the industry of fine garment tailoring for generations.
Examples include:
- Biminis:
Standard Bimini | 8′ Bimini | 8′ Bimini Frame | Sun Fly Strut - Enclosures:
45′ Custom Carolina | 40′ Cruisers | 33′ Pursuit Enclosure | 31′ Custom Acrylic Enclosure | 30′ Regal Enclosure | 70′ Hatteras - Covers:
Tidewater Cover T-Top | 19′ Mastercraft | 16′ Flats Boat Cover | Fountain Cockpit Cover | Console Cover | Dinghy Cover | Sail Covers | Winch Covers | Coats for Spot and Fluffy - Sail Boat:
Catalina Bimini | Sail Boat Dodger | Binnacle Cover - Miscellaneous:
Screen Windows | Replace Clear | U-Zip Windows - Upholstery:
Bolsters | Bow Cushion | Interior Upholstery
But most importantly, he was the only one who answered my call.
His work ethic and the way he does his job are truly incredible.
Thank you so much, Don! I will definitely recommend you to all my customers!
Tom
Tom’s Detailing
Don was flexible with scheduling, very punctual, and easy to deal with. His website made it easy to upload photos of the work needing to be done, and he was able to make a small console hatch cover based off photos that fit great. He was able to squeeze in my small project the same day as I called even though he was booked out three months on large projects. His pricing is fair and on par with industry prices. Additionally, his shop was well organized and clean and is located inside a gated and very secure boat/rv storage facility.
I called Don up on Friday at 3:30 expecting Just to drop off my Bimini top for his repair. Don told me to bring it on in. He fixed it within an hour and improved it with different stops for the zippers if you have any canvas work to be done, Don is your guy.
Florida Marine Canvas and Dan can’t go wrong quality work quick and afford
Other businesses....and business schools should become "Secret Shoppers," and take their notebooks along, to see what a terrific consumer experience is supposed to look and feel like!
You'll certainly be happy with Don's work, but more importantly, you'll be thrilled with the experience of working with him!
Diane and Rob Roy
These guys are great! I needed a fast repair on my canvas and they stayed open for me so I could have fix before end of day. I want to give them a huge 10 stars shout out
I will be utilizing Don to replace my entire boat canvas when the time arises. I highly recommend this professional.
I strongly recommend that you use Florida Boat Canvas for any of your canvas needs.
Incredibly friendly, efficient and professional business!!
Brad Underwood
Florida Boat Canvas
Contact
(941) 539-8855
hello@boatcanvas.us
Address
PO Box 15003
Sarasota, FL 34277