Recommendations for trimmers?

Alan ashore

Alan ashore

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16 Oct 2012
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(for a purely functional all-over-cover, and a pretty canopy with windows) It always seems to me that when I need such work, chances are the last guys I used, typically around a decade previously, are out of business, have changed hands, or are not what they were.

So any strong recos based on recent work? or for that matter any horror stories? Location is probably not hugely important as most trimmers seem willing to travel reasonable distances, although OTOH it must be better to take the boat to the trimmer to make it easier for them to get it absolutely right, where that's feasible.

Cheers,
A.
 
Thamesmariner said:
Sparks Marine Trimmers Ltd
The Old School
Chilton
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP18 9LX
01844 208731
Click to expand...

I had a quote from them once, admittably about 12 years ago but it was double the price I eventually had a different trimmer do the job for. The price I paid then is by conicidence the same as quoted by Bumperdumps recommendation nauticover.co.uk quotes for the same boat!

I think you have to watch out for Thames special pricing!
 
Nauticover do indeed look reasonable, but as my boat is very much a one-off I'd be very reluctant to take the risk on measuring myself, so Cornwall is an issue.

Interesting that their site mentions copying existing covers. My experience has been that all covers, whatever they have been made of (and I have had quite a few), shrink eventually. So by the time I'm replacing them they are not much use as templates!

Cheers,
A.
 
All Thames based trimmers in my experience are a law unto themselves,have to be booked up months in advance and then have their feet nailed to the floor:).Its called being busy

Jeckells travel and do a good job.No idea on cost.
Made an overall cover for a friends 34' boat,when it ripped in a storm they remade in a stronger material for no charge I believe.

Colin Upsher 07901515108.
Maidenhead based,has done work for me and people I know.1st class.
 
I was at Penton Hook today and next to the lift in/out crane there was a trimming shop. I picked up some stainless pop studs but the look a very good outfit and do made to order or custom covers etc.

If you ring PH office they will be able to give you the number.

Jon
 
Thamesmariner said:
Sparks Marine Trimmers Ltd
The Old School
Chilton
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP18 9LX
01844 208731
Click to expand...

Sparks did a good job of visiting my end of field mooring, measuring the previous canopy and then delivering a very well fitting new one. It cost about £1,000 on a tiny, 16.5' boat. As the man exaplained at the time. 'although your boat is small the cockpit cover area is similar to larger boats'. If I was daft enought to own a river boat in the midlle of nowhere again I would use Sparks - knowing that they are not cheap but do a good job.
 
The trimmers at Penton Hook are the best around. They do all the work at my dad's marina , they've done numerous boats of our own over the years and did a hood and interior trim on mine recently.

They are busy though ( for a reason )

Give them a buzz and ask for Jeff.
 
+ 1 for Jeckells.
Tim at AM Marine, Windsor Marina, is very good. Not quick, but worth the wait.
Sparks - would not use again. They deliver on speed but hood was baggy, poorly finished inside, especially around the windows and they seem to love using too many studs. Rushed initial fitting. Not impressed.
 
Wavey said:
Can't fault the quality of their work but a more chaotic, frustrating and disorganised outfit you'd be hard pressed to find. Also, unless things have changed recently, they don't take cards. Not even debit cards.
Click to expand...

Agree with that.
A very good friend after getting excuse after excuse for 18 months went elsewhere.
 
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