I discovered John on you tube years ago, before the university started. I am a skilled problem solver and seamstress, so I love his fast paced, focused on the key issues approach to teaching. He is 2nd generation in this trade, where apprenticeship is paramount to learning. With his online courses, you get that. I consider John my mentor, and when I am on a job, I rewatch his courses and I know I am watching my highly experienced teacher approach a similar project. I am over 3000 miles away so I haven’t taken his workshop, but I feel like he knows me, because when I am stumped with a design, I have called him, and he knows I am part of his student members, and gives me the applicable advice & tips he can for my issue. What is the value of a resource with his credentials worth to you? In my opinion, knowing he is there for me is invaluable. I don’t think I could have my business if it weren’t for John’s videos and being available with his expert knowledge. Trust me, if you want to start a canvas shop, this membership is as important as your sewing machine, your shop and your reputation. I encourage you to learn the right methods, learn from the best!

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.

Classes are not very detailed. Payed for the full enclosure class. It was missing the bimini. There was a free video for the bimini but nit working. I asked to cancel and get money back but no a single email back. I had to claim it on my paypal. Sailrite provide better videos for free.

Purchased one of the online courses, having never built a canvas before it gave me the confidence and knowledge to take on the challenge, very highly recommend

John is 100% legit. I was skeptical about this course to begin with after seeing his ad on Facebook and reading the comments. The amount of information and knowledge that he shares is stuff you couldn’t gain from 20 years doing it on your own. I had absolutely no sewing or canvas fabrication experience prior to making the trek to Maryland this week. Not only has John managed to teach me to sew, but fabricate quality products. I still have a lot of work and learning to do on my own, however whether you are a novice wanting to gain a skill or a fabricator looking to hone their craft, this is the course for you. Not only is John a knowledgeable, skilled craftsman, he is a no BS teacher. I figured there was no possible way he could teach me to sew in four days. Not only did he teach me to sew, he taught me to sew, maintain my equipment, set me up with the contacts I needed, pattern, fabricate, finish and maintain my work, run my business, all while making a quality product. I suggest anyone who is hesitant, take the plunge. Do it, be ready to have information overload, be ready to learn and ask lots of questions. John will go above and beyond to teach you this craft.

My experience at Boat Canvas University couldn’t have been better! Building a Bimini Top and Enclosure by itself would have been a good value for the money. Learning tips, and techniques from a 35 plus year veteran of the business made it a great value for the money. The icing on the top, and what made my experience priceless was the business discussion on the last day of the workshop. The information and advice John Cavender gave was truly priceless for a new shop owner like me.

Excellent 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.

I completed the February workshop last week and enjoyed every minute of it. I walked in on the first day with very little experience and thought I was in way over my head. With John’s knowledge and instruction I was able to gain the skill, feel confident and complete the course with the ability to continue down the path of canvas work. If you are thinking of learning this trade, I would highly recommend attending the Boat Canvas University and learning from John C.

I 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.