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Do you need my boat to make the cover/top? +
It's highly recommended that we have your boat to ensure a perfect fit. We have made covers and tops by using the old fabric as a pattern, but the quality of the fit and final appearance is not as good as custom made.
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What is the turn around time for a custom cover? +
It depends on the time of the year when you have the work completed. Out of season canvas work (October to April) can usually be completed in 1 week. In season canvas work can take 1- 2 weeks from the time we receive your boat. Upholstery work is very time consuming and will require additional time to complete. If you must have your boat by the weekend, we will do everything we can to accommodate your requirements.
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Is the boat cover fabric waterproof? +
Boat cover fabric is very water resistant but not considered waterproof. Many materials are designed to help ventilate the cover (breath) and at the same time shed the water. Ventilation is important, as it helps prevent mold and mildew from forming. After 2-3 years, we may need to apply a waterproofing treatment to help the fabric maintain it's ability to shed the water.
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Do I need to make an appointment to have canvas work completed +
Yes. We schedule on a first come first served basis.
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Do I need to make an appointment to have a cover repaired. +
No. If it's during peak season we recommend calling to find out what the current turn around is. If the canvas repair is for something not related to boating, e.g., tent repair, pop-up campers, please call before stopping in.
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What kind of warranty comes with your covers? +
The manufacturers of the fabric provide a 3-5 year warranty depending on the material you choose to make your cover. The higher end fabrics carry the longer warranty.
Berlin Boat Covers provides a one year warranty that covers quality and workmanship. For example, if you find an area that needs an additional reinforcement or if a seam comes apart, we will fix it at no charge.
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Can you make a Bimini top to fit my height? +
No problem! Just tell us what you would like. All our frames, round and square tube, are custom bent in our shop to your specifications. We will get in your boat with you and take measurements to give you exactly the height and size you want.
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Why should I choose a custom cover instead of a catalog cover? +
With a custom cover you get a perfect fit, higher quality materials and better protection for your boat that will save you money. For more information please see "Why covers that come in boxes do not work".
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How long can I expect a custom cover to last? +
The life of the cover really depends on the type of use and care. Do you dock your boat all summer or do you keep it in a garage when not in use? Does your boat/cover sit under a tree all year? Does your boat sit out all winter with snow piling up on it? Do you maintain it by having it repaired when needed, keeping it clean and reapplying waterproofing products as needed? We have customers with covers that have lasted 20 years.
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Should I have my seating reupholstered or should I just buy replacement seating? +
If you are replacing your seats and not a complete interior, it can be benificial to reupholster your current seating. When seats are reupholstered you can find an almost exact color match to other interior features. Some customers perfer to keep their boat as original as possible, so they choose reupholstering.
If you are replacing your entire interior, you may be able to save money by replacing your seats. We can match other interior features, like side panels, to the color scheme of the replacements seats. Also, most replacement seats are made using plastic bases instead of wood, which will eliminate any worries of rotting wood.
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When is the best time of the year to have interior work completed? +
Usually after Labor Day our customers start to schedule interior work. We do the majority of interior work during the winter. Interior projects can consume a lot time and completing them in the winter eliminates your boating down time. As soon as spring breaks, we get very busy with covers, biminis and enclosures.
