Boat Canvas University is THE ONLY marine canvas fabrication training program in the country.
Taught by Master Instructor, John Cavender, with 30+ years experience building and owning his own fabrication company.
You’re guaranteed to learn everything you’ll need to know to start earning over 100k+ a year in your own business.
We own a 52 foot Hatteras which needed new canvas and strataglass. Not too many people provide this service and the estimate was about $20,000! We decided to do it ourselves. We bought the courses from Boat Canvas University, a industrial strength sewing machine and all the materials and went to work. The total cost to do it ourselves was about $7,000. We couldn’t have done it without BCU! The courses are easy to follow. We had some questions so we called John. We were very surprised that he answered the phone and was happy to answer all our questions, he was extremely helpful. We have received a lot of compliments on our canvas. Many people have asked us to do it for them but we are retired and don’t want to start a new business.
Wade HensleyJohn is by far the best resource for people starting out in this business. He is responsive to emails, takes calls anytime and stops what he’s doing to help his students. If you are looking for marine canvas training, look no further. John is the man. His videos go at just the right pace! If you’ve watched others they can progress painfully slow. John is quick and informative without boring you to death. I highly recommend Boat Canvas University for your training. I will be signing up for the workshop training soon!
Ken WallaceExcellent course! John is a great instructor and I learned a lot while attending his class. It’s very much hands on which helps you learn faster and retain more. I took what I learned and jumped right in and started fabricating bimini tops and enclosures.
Jeff RitchieMy wife and I have been students of the Boat Canvas University for many years. We find that the training is in depth and put together in a easy to learn format. We have attended many in person workshops and also use the on demand video courses. Both training’s are professionally taught at the students learning speed. The knowledge utilized to put the classes together has been gathered from three generations of canvas masters. If you want to be a success in the Canvas Industry call John at the training center and find out for yourself why his family and the Boat Canvas University are the best in the business.
jim mcgeeI bought the yearly video subscription. John has been responsive to any question that I have had. Watchung the videos has been very enlightening to me . There are many nuggets of information portrayed in these videos that have been invaluable.
Sam McGuireJohn is a thorough, patient, and fantastic teacher! And the guy has a great down to earth sense of humor! I started with his video package earlier this year and learned so much that I wasn’t sure the in person workshop was necessary. I was wrong! I’m glad I didn’t stop at the videos. Being in person and hands on with John is invaluable. He takes his time answering questions and guides you in a way that you get to see your mistakes and understand how to avoid them in the future. Thanks John!
T.J. PeraReally enjoyed attending his week along class. very nice work shop and John is great person , along with his father I learned a lot from his class. Started watching his videos on his old web site, Then when he changed to his new web site, I could never get back in to finish watching them. However the ones I have watched made it easy to keep up with what I learned in his class. plus it great as a refresher because I don’t do canvass every day.
J R DeBaunWhat a GREAT instructor. I’ve been sewing in canvas awning industry for over 44 years, just not marine canvas. John’s instructions give you the insight to do things the right way and he is always available if you run into problems. Thank you John! Keep up the great work
GJohn Cavender is the best fabricator I’ve had the experience to meet and learn from. His canvas course gave me the tools I needed to take my canvas business to the next level. I can now build a bimini that fits like a glove in less than a day. He covers the basics and finer points of enclosure fabrication thoroughly. And his entire video series which are included with the course are available as refreshers when needed. And if you have any questions John is almost always available to help you with your problem.
Joe FrattingerAs a subscriber, I have been able to call on John Cavender at Boat Canvas University for technical questions from “best size for my next cutting table”, to, “which way should the Kedder welt lay, on the radio arch of a SeaRay when I pattern the aft enclosure” [If you have a hard time envisioning the elements of that question, then you might gather how valuable a thoughtful and definitive answer was!] I have 40 years as a self-employeed professional upholsterer with 2 years on boat enclosures. I wish I had met John 2 decades ago! I am looking forward to a workshop at Boat Canvas University. As a second generation boat canvas professional, John brings a wealth of knowledge to his enterprise… AND SHARES IT generously!
David Youngdahl 