An Improved Design for Boat Trailer Covers

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

In today’s boating world, the boat’s trailer can be as beautifully crafted as the boat.

Many of us launch a boat, put it on a lift in the slip, and then park the trailer until sometime later. Letting your boat trailer sit unprotected in the weather for long periods of time can lead to deterioration of the frame and its tires. While the boat trailer covers we construct are not inexpensive, they certainly protect your investment and keep the trailer looking brand new.

A new design in boat trailer covers from Black Dog Design.<br />(Click on this image to view more photos of the new boat trailer cover.)

A new design in boat trailer covers from Black Dog Design.
(Click on this image to view more photos of the new boat trailer cover.)

The covers are fitted as we would fit a boat cover, with drainage, ratchet and rope at the bottom for cinching tight, cover flaps for tires and rims, and coverage at the tongue.

The fabric is waterproof, has a very good life in the sun, and plenty of color options. We also use a GOR-TEX thread that does not break down in ultraviolet light.

If you are in the market for a trailer cover to protect your investment, please give us a call or come by to discuss your project.  

Thank you!

(Please note:  We must have access to your individual trailer to properly measure for a cover.  Or, You must provide us with a specific location where we can access an exact match for your trailer.)

A New Bimini For A Cruiser Headed To Florida

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

This Cruisers-brand cruiser is headed for Florida!  Its owner wanted Black Dog Design to design and build a new bimini top, frames, and enclosure panels that would be both flexible and durable for the boat’s new home.

Looking closer, a lot of careful design went into the specification and fabrication of this new bimini. The design includes “smile” windows in 5 places that can be either unzipped and removed completely or simply rolled up to provide flow-through air.

The finished product installed and ready for Florida!(Click on this image to view photos showing more detail of the new bimini and its construction.)

The finished product installed and ready for Florida!
(Click on this image to view photos showing more detail of the new bimini and its construction.)

Because of the environment in which the boat will reside, very careful attention was paid to the materials used in the construction process.  The new bimini/enclosure features a 1″ stainless steel frame with all stainless fittings. The fabric is Sunbrella Clarity, which is a new product from Glen Raven designed to be both waterproof and to slough-off grime on the outside in environments where fabrics are difficult to maintain. Gortex thread, which will not break down with the sun’s UV rays, was used all around. Strataglass was used for the windows, because it is a dimensionally stable product specially treated for scratch resistance, because it is very optically clear, and because of its durability and longevity in harsh environments.

Click on the image of the cruiser above to view more photos of the new bimini/enclosure and to read more about the fine details of its design and construction.

A Classic 1957 Chris Craft Reupholstery

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

In 2012, the Black Dog Design Team was asked to restore the upholstery of a beautiful 1957 Chris Craft runabout that had belonged to their customer’s father. 

Most unfortunately, the boat was recently sunk, apparently due to problems in its hull’s restoration, so after the boat was cleaned, the damaged hull repaired, the engine de-watered, etc., she was returned to Black Dog Design for another reupholstery and re-carpeting job.

Looking like it just rolled off the showroom floor following beautiful reupholstery work by Black Dog Design!

Looking like it just rolled off the showroom floor following beautiful reupholstery work by Black Dog Design!
(Click on this image to view more photos of the restoration.)

As you can see, she turned out just as beautiful as before, ready to provide her family with many more years of wonderful memories.

Drop Skirts Extend Protection From The Sun

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

This customer’s boat was really getting beat up by the sun on its port side.  Adding a custom drop skirt to the existing cover can help prevent fading and damage.

 

This custom drop skirt blends with the manufacturers covers and protects the sides of the boat from its nose all around, including the swim platform.

This custom drop skirt blends with the manufacturers covers and protects the sides of the boat from its nose all around, including the swim platform.

Ski Boat Re-Carpeting

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

If you have a ski boat or cruiser that has either no carpet or carpet that has seen a better day and needs replacing, Black Dog Design, Inc., can help with that.

We work directly with the carpeting mill and can make new patterns of the areas in question for a perfect fit.

We use only the best quality carpet that comes in many colors and designs. The AquaLoc back can actually be used without snaps in protected areas.

Click on an image below to see photos of a recent ski boat re-carpeting project we designed and installed.


Sailboat Covers Galore!

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

There was an article in a local magazine recently that featured a photograph of a sailboat dock at Mountain Harbor Resort.  We were pretty excited about the photograph, since we recognized that a number of the boats shown featured canvas work that was fabricated by the Black Dog Design Team.  So, not having received permission to use the magazine’s photo, we decided to grab a camera and take our own!

Much of Black Dog Design's work can be seen in this photograph of sailboats at Mountain Harbor.

Much of Black Dog Design’s work can be seen in this photograph of sailboats at Mountain Harbor.

The photograph above shows boat covers, bimini tops and frames, mainsail covers, line bags, helm covers, and even a cover to protect the boat name on the stern from the elements.

The custom covers on this Hunter sailboat not only protect the cockpit and bimini, but there is also a cover to protect the boat's artwork on its stern!

The custom covers on this Hunter sailboat not only protect the mainsail, cockpit and bimini, but there is also a cover to protect the boat’s artwork on its stern!

All projects are custom and require careful measurement and the making of patterns prior to cutting and sewing the fabrics. Bimini frames can be fabricated according to customers’ wishes and the space available on the boat. Black Dog Design can also create covers for windows and the cockpit areas as desired.

A Special Barge Set Up For Winter Fun

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

This was a special order barge from Veranda Boat Company whose customer wanted to be able to use the boat in all seasons.  Veranda came to Black Dog Design to provide this special enclosure.

The clear enclosure with replaceable screen panels allow the owners of this party barge to enjoy it all year!

The clear enclosure with replaceable screen panels allow the owners of this party barge to enjoy it all year!

The clear panels zip onto the bimini top and zip to each other.

We also ended up making screen panels that could be changed out with the clear. These were ordered after the boat was shipped to Louisiana. The customer shipped the clear panels back to Black Dog Design, and they were used for a pattern to make the screen enclosure panels.

Screened panels can replace the clear windows in the enclosure for bug-free breezes in the summertime.

Screened panels can replace the clear windows in the enclosure for bug-free breezes in the summertime.

The wonderful thing about clear enclosures is how easily they heat up with very little sun in cold weather. The great thing about screen or scrim panels is that there is airflow through the boat, but bugs cannot get in. The scrim also has a sun protection factor and is a good choice for people who have sun issues yet still need to be out on the water with nature.

A Bright Red Cover and Drop Skirt for a Cobalt

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

The very sweet couple who bought this new boat wanted us to make a boat cover to protect their new toy. They like red!

A beautiful full cover in red on this nice Cobalt.

A beautiful full cover in red on this nice Cobalt.

After the cover was complete, they decided to add a drop skirt for the side from nose to stern to cover the entire starboard side for sun protection.

The drop skirt added on the starboard side of this Cobalt to protect it from the sun.

The drop skirt added on the starboard side of this Cobalt to protect it from the sun.

The skirt is removable for towing the boat, yet the boat can be towed at highway speeds with the cover in place.

 

A Tall and Wide New Cruiser Bimini

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

Black Dog Design’s customer needed a large bimini for their cruiser, one that would maximize the interior space on deck, while at the same time, being tall enough so that one didn’t have to stoop over to walk under the canvas.

In this view, you can see the supports from the frame spaced close enough apart to not let the top hold water.

In this view, you can see the supports from the frame spaced close enough apart to not let the top hold water.

The project involved mounting the new frame as wide as possible and building it tall.  The result was a large bimini that both provides a great deal of shade as well as good access around the cockpit.

This new bimini provides a large amount of shade to the customer and his family. Beautiful top.

This new bimini provides a large amount of shade to the customer and his family. Beautiful top.

This design could also be adapted to a smaller ski boat to provide shade as desired.

We like it when a plan comes together!

 

Beautiful New Upholstery for a Classic 1957 Cris Craft

Black Dog Design, Inc. Posted on by

This classic Cris Craft runabout has been in our customer’s family since his father purchased it new in 1957.

A gorgeous 1957 Chris Craft came in for new upholstery. Our goal was to recreate the original look but with design improvements.

A gorgeous 1957 Chris Craft came in for new upholstery. Our goal was to recreate the original look but with design improvements.

When it was time to upgrade and repair the boat’s interior, they came to Black Dog Design, Inc. with the requirement that the new upholstery look like it did when the boat was new.

The result is outstanding. This classic looks like new!

The result is outstanding. This classic looks like new!

The project resulted in a clean, like-new look but with updated fabrics to ensure yet another 50 years of enjoyment of the boat!