How many yards of fabric does a bimini top require?

A typical 4-foot-wide, 6-foot-long bimini uses roughly 3–5 linear yards of 60-inch Sunbrella, depending on panel count and a 15–20% cutting waste allowance. This calculator estimates yardage automatically from the dimensions you enter.

How do marine canvas shops price a dodger job?

Shops typically add up material cost (fabric + clear vinyl windows + hardware), multiply by a markup factor (often 1.5–2.5×), and add labor hours at their shop rate. A realistic total for a sailboat dodger ranges from $1,200 to $4,500+ depending on size, complexity, and whether a new SS frame is included.

What is the difference between Sunbrella and Sunbrella Plus for marine canvas?

Sunbrella (9.25 oz/sq yd) is the standard marine-grade canvas. Sunbrella Plus/SeaMark adds a laminate backing for extra water resistance and is often specified for dodger roofs. Plus fabric typically costs $5–$15/yard more than standard Sunbrella at retail.

How do I calculate clear vinyl (Strataglass) window area?

Measure each window opening in inches (width × height), convert to square feet (divide by 144), add 10–15% for seam allowance and cutting waste, then multiply by the price per square foot. Strataglass typically runs $25–$50 per square foot depending on thickness and grade.

Should marine canvas labor be billed by the hour or as a flat rate?

Most experienced fabricators bill labor at an hourly shop rate ($65–$120/hr is common in 2024–2025) tracked against the actual sewing and fitting time. Flat-rate quoting works for standard-sized biminis where sew time is predictable; complex dodgers with many windows are usually better billed hourly or as a high-estimate flat rate.

Marine Canvas Bimini & Dodger Job Quote Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

This tool is designed for marine canvas fabricators quoting biminis, dodgers, boat covers, and related projects. Fill in the left-hand panel from top to bottom; the quote updates instantly on the right.

Job Information: Name the job and select the project type. The dimension sections will appear or hide automatically.
Canvas Fabric: Select your fabric grade and enter your actual wholesale cost per linear yard. Enter the bimini and/or dodger dimensions in inches (or cm if metric is selected). The calculator applies a cutting waste factor and computes linear yards needed based on the fabric roll width.
Windows: Select the window material, enter your cost per square foot, and add each window's dimensions. The tool calculates total square footage with a 12% seam-allowance buffer.
Hardware & Consumables: Pre-loaded with common items (zippers, snaps, thread, etc.). Edit quantities and unit costs to match your job. Add or remove rows as needed.
Labor: Enter your shop hourly rate and total estimated hours. Separate travel/measuring hours are billed at the same rate.
Markup & Tax: Set your materials markup percentage and any applicable sales tax. The gross margin percentage is shown for each quote so you can sanity-check profitability.

Understanding the Formula

The calculator follows standard marine canvas shop practice:

Fabric yardage: For each panel group, total area in square inches is calculated from your dimensions, divided by the fabric roll width in inches to get required linear inches, then divided by 36 for linear yards. Waste factor (default 15%) is added. For dodgers, roof + front face + side panels are summed before dividing.
Material markup: Your raw material cost is multiplied by (1 + markup% / 100). A 50% markup = 33% gross margin; 100% markup = 50% gross margin — the latter is common for specialty marine work.
Labor: (Sewing hours + travel hours) × shop hourly rate. Labor is not marked up in this model (you can adjust by including overhead in your hourly rate).
Total: Marked-up materials + labor − discount + tax.
Gross margin: (Total − raw materials cost − raw labor cost) / Total × 100.

Typical Project Benchmarks

Use these as a sanity check against your quote total. Prices are approximate 2024–2025 US market shop rates for professional fabrication — your local market, boat size, and complexity will vary.

Bimini top (canvas only, new frame included): $800–$2,500
Bimini top (canvas only, existing frame): $400–$900
Sailboat dodger (canvas + Strataglass windows): $1,500–$4,500+
Full bimini + dodger package: $3,000–$8,000+
Powerboat full enclosure: $2,500–$10,000+
Sail cover (standard): $350–$700

Source: Sailboat Owners Forums, SailNet Community, and Northcoast Marine Specialties canvastraining.com — real-world quotes 2017–2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many yards of Sunbrella does a bimini top require? ▼

A typical 66″-wide × 72″-deep two-panel bimini needs roughly 5–6 linear yards of 60″ Sunbrella, including a 15% cutting waste allowance. Narrower biminis (under 54″) may need only 3–4 yards. The calculator computes your exact yardage from the dimensions you enter, so there is no need to estimate manually. Always buy a little extra for re-cuts and future repairs.

What is a fair markup on marine canvas materials? ▼

Most marine canvas shops apply a 50–100% markup on materials (33–50% gross margin). Premium specialty fabric such as Strataglass or Sunbrella Plus may carry higher markups because the sourcing and handling are more complex. The calculator shows your gross margin % on every quote so you can verify you're hitting your target. A sub-30% gross margin on materials alone often signals underpricing when overhead is considered.

What is the difference between Sunbrella and Sunbrella Plus (SeaMark)? ▼

Standard Sunbrella marine canvas (9.25 oz/sq yd) is a woven solution-dyed acrylic — UV-resistant, breathable, and mildew-resistant, but not fully waterproof on its own. Sunbrella Plus (also marketed as SeaMark) adds a urethane laminate to the underside, making it genuinely waterproof — ideal for dodger roofs and biminis in heavy-rain regions. Sunbrella Plus typically retails $5–$15/yard more than standard Sunbrella and may require slightly more care during sewing.

How do I price Strataglass windows per square foot? ▼

Measure each finished window opening in inches, multiply width × height, divide by 144 to get square feet, then add a 10–12% allowance for cutting and seam overlap. Multiply by your cost per square foot (Strataglass typically runs $20–$45/sq ft at fabricator pricing in 2024–2025) and apply your markup. Because Strataglass is expensive and easy to scratch, many shops charge a handling premium or sell it at a higher markup than canvas fabric.

Should I charge the same hourly rate for measuring/travel as for sewing? ▼

Many shops charge the full shop rate for all time, including measuring, fitting, travel to the dock, and customer communication. Some charge a flat measuring/travel fee per visit. Either approach works — the key is to include all time in your quote so it doesn't erode profitability. This calculator lets you enter travel hours separately so you can track them, but both are billed at the same rate by default.

What deposit should a marine canvas shop collect? ▼

A 50% deposit is the most common practice in marine canvas shops. This covers the fabric and hardware order, which typically must be purchased before work begins. Some shops charge a higher deposit (60–70%) for custom orders involving expensive Strataglass or stainless steel frames. The deposit % field in this calculator lets you adjust the figure; the remaining balance on completion is shown automatically.

This calculator provides estimates for planning and quoting purposes only. Actual fabric yardage, costs, and labor hours depend on specific project conditions, material supplier pricing, and fabricator skill. Always verify material costs with your supplier before issuing a final quote. Formula sources: Sailrite project guides (sailrite.com), Northcoast Marine Specialties canvas training resources, and industry practice.