Full Schedule

William Bransford, Boatswains Locker
Discover a variety of special tools and attachments used to enhance and expedite the production of marine canvas products. Key takeaways include:

• Custom tools for enclosure parts
• Various hand tools to save time.
• Different methods of finishing parts.
• Patterns and the advantage of saving them.
• Sewing machine improvements that improve sewing skills.

Industry leaders using a range of different technologies in their shops will compare and contrast the different versions of digital patterning as well as the various methods that are widely used for traditional patterning.  We will dive into the important questions and concerns that all fabricators have before considering moving to digital patterning and explore the pros and cons that are easy to see as well as some of the unforeseen.  Hear and learn from your industry colleagues that have made the transition to digital patterning and see how it worked for them.

Moderator: Derek Robinson, Eqodry USA & Fabric Tattoo
This popular session from Marine Fabricators Conference 2020 is coming back with a new project!  Once again a team of fabricators will work together to take on a variety of projects and give a boat a canvas facelift – this year we are modifying the session with your comments in mind! Hear about the individual projects and the ways this project impacted the community around it. Case studies will be presented with design, fabrication, and workflow considerations. The finished boat will be onsite for attendees to view.

Darren Arthur, Nautilux Canvas
Take a step into the future during this session. Attendees will learn about the newest equipment for 3D scanning and imaging as Darren demos the equipment and discusses his experiences and lessons learned. This is your chance to hear about the pros and cons of this exciting technology and get an up-close look at how it functions by trying it out for yourself.

New Orleans is known for its nightlife and party atmosphere. Kick-off the conference in style with music, dancing, and refreshments during the Annual Costume Party. This 2021 theme is hillbillies and moonshiners – let your creativity go wild! Heavy appetizers will be provided.

Join your colleagues as we tour Aluma Marine and Fabrication.  Attendees will view the manufacture of aluminum boats in a variety of styles and sizes. Boats built onsite are 20’ and larger and include sports, rib and crew boats as well as assault, patrol and enforcements vessels, and pleasure crafts.

Located on the show floor

John Martin Ph.D, Home Power Hour

Learn about the when, if and how to utilize solar and wind on a vessel, battery/energy storage limitations, connection issues including best practices, but also liability coverage.  Also covered will be what solar/wind “can do” and as importantly, “cannot do” on most vessels (e.g. not feasible for “most vessels” to have air condition on all night powered by solar/wind).

Dr. Martin’s academic training and real-life work with small companies implementing sustainable power, come together in this down to earth presentation. Additionally, a small working tabletop “balance of system” (solar, charge controller, battery, inverter) will be available to show how the entire system works.

Key Takeaways Include:

1. Exponential growth
2. Critical mass (market)
3. Critical price
4. Product displacement
5. New paradigm

Torey Heinz, Shopflow

What is a digital job board, and why even bother? A digital job board is a way to organize and display jobs so that you can streamline your shop and escape the chaos! Find out if you are ready to get started, as we follow a simple workflow from start to finish, dig into the details of a complicated job, and discuss how to implement a digital job board to maximize your throughput.

Learn more about the Marine Fabricators Association. Hear a recap of the past years events and look to the future while enjoying a tasty brunch.

This interactive discussion explores the newest tools, clever tips and tricks to make your job faster and easier. Vote for your favorites onsite.

Panel members: Rob Kotowski, Lake Shore Boat Top;  Ron Paratore, Trivantage LLC; Chandler Clark, Signature CanvasMakers
When it comes to Managing your business you need to be able to plan for the future, and also allow for change.  Hear how adversity has affected three industry members and the steps they took to protect their companies and staff. The audience is encouraged to share their experiences, triumphs and lessons learned in this interactive panel discussion.

Charlene Clark, Signature CanvasMakers
Scaling your business is about capacity and capability.  It means setting the stage to enable and support growth in your business without negatively impacting it.  This session will touch on the key elements needed to help you effectively scale your business for growth.

Moderator: Vince Innocenzi, Chicago Marine Canvas
This product showcase is your chance to view sample “U Zip” Enclosure Windows from a variety of fabricators. View the many different styles and methods of making these window products while engaging in the individual fabricators and learning so new ways to enhance your own projects.

Gather together one last time and celebrate award-winning projects, industry achievements and the announcement of the welcome party theme for Marine Fabricators Conference 2022. Dinner and refreshments are provided at this commemorative closing event.