Boat Canvas University
Program Options

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.

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Course Options


  • The Complete Program – $5,500

  • In-Person Workshop – $2,800

  • Video Tutorial Courses – $3,000

Student Testimonials

  • Found the online training videos very informative. I’m just getting started in marine canvas and this was the perfect place to start. John is a natural teacher and guides you through the steps and is humble enough to show a few mistakes too. You can tell John can do these jobs lightning fast, but slows them down so you can follow along. Buy materials and start practicing!

    serious eiken Avatar serious eiken
    November 4, 2021
  • I have bought a few of his courses and found them very good. Being relatively new in the business, they are a great as a reference to go back to when you come across a problem or you haven’t done something for a while. the difference in doing an average job or a good job. Definitely recommend them

    Rob Harrington-Johnson Avatar Rob Harrington-Johnson
    November 4, 2021
  • 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.

    Martin Cho Avatar Martin Cho
    November 4, 2021
  • 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

    William Rodenhauser Avatar William Rodenhauser
    November 4, 2021
  • My 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 mcgee Avatar jim mcgee
    November 4, 2021
  • I just finished this workshop this week. It was awesome! John was great, he is very knowledgeable about the boat canvas business. He’s like the Godfather of boat canvas fabrication and this is an opportunity you can’t refuse. He’s set me up to change my life. I had a really good time with this and learned a lot.

    Jason Wezgraj Avatar Jason Wezgraj
    April 4, 2022
  • John is a true professional. It was a perfect match for his teaching style and my learning methods.

    N Reno Avatar N Reno
    November 4, 2021
  • I subscribed to John’s videos to help me redo my canvas. Even though I had never done any canvas work before, I was especially interested in using hard acrylic instead of the traditional isinglass. His detailed instructions helped me do a great job on my Regal. He also answered some additional questions via texting. Great resource.

    Ed M Avatar Ed M
    November 4, 2021
  • As 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 Avatar David Youngdahl
    November 4, 2021
  • 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.

    Jeff Ritchie Avatar Jeff Ritchie
    August 4, 2022

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