In our inaugural post for our project spotlight series, we take a look at how Argo Custom Canvas and Upholstery restored a 210 SkiNautique boat using Horizon, the new marine vinyl offering from Sunbrella.
Using Sunbrella Horizon fabrics, Chris Ruhlander from Argo provided an update to a 2009 Scott Byerly SkiNautique. The boat’s owner had gone to the Chicago Boat Show where he’d seen the newest edition and wanted to update his current boat to reflect the latest model. With the black, red, and white color scheme, this upgrade could star in the newest James Bond film.
With 30 different styles offered, Horizon is a great choice for both new and restorative projects, especially since it contains the performance and comfort known of Sunbrella products. For premium performance on the water and proven durability, Horizon is the perfect pick to upgrade your boat seating. All the color choices are UV- and fade-resistant, so color lasts longer and you don’t need to worry about fading. Horizon stands up to long days on the water with comfort and style.
The knit-backed construction promotes incredible 4-way stretch and recovery action that’s ideal for boat seating. Ruhlander attributed this stretch to the ease and smoothness of the fabric: “I love the way it fits. The bolsters can get a little tricky sometimes, but this pattern fit directly on the cushion for a perfect curve.” This stretch helps the seating feel ultra-soft and comfortable. Said Ruhlander, “It’s a lot easier to use that than any other product. That 4-way stretch is what really allows it to make it cushioned because you can really stretch things out.”
For this project, Ruhlander even sewed some of the pleats by hand (he learned to sew from his grandmother, who was in the fashion business!). Famous wakeboarder, Scott Byerly, gave them his blessing for logo usage, so Ruhlander updated the reproduction with his original symbols and logo. With the large amount of color selection to choose from, it’s easy to let your imagination conceive incredible projects like this one!
With Horizon, you’ll find that style is meant to last: the first marine vinyl from Sunbrella features an industry-leading 3-year warranty against microbial pinking, and 5-year comprehensive product and labor warranty. These warranties are some of the best you’ll find in the business and you can rest assured that your boat seating will last for years to come. Ruhlander realizes that Horizon is an investment for his customers, but he knows it’s worth it: “Hard-working people trust me with their boats. I take that very seriously and give them the best that I can. It’s an investment, but I sit down and explain the difference and the longevity. I know Sunbrella stands behind their product which is why I’m willing to stand behind it as well.”
In the end, it’s no surprise that the customer was happy with the result: “I don’t like to show the whole project,” Ruhlander told us. “I’ll show pictures here and there to get them excited and do the big reveal at the end. They were so happy; they absolutely loved it!”
Learn more about Sunbrella Horizon or find your local fabricator!
About Argo Custom Canvas & Upholstery
Chris Ruhlander owns Argo Custom Canvas & Upholstery, where he is helped by his 18-, 13- and 8-year-old sons, and Marley, the family’s Australian cattle dog who serves as the store’s beloved mascot. Ruhlander does higher-end, custom work, as well as some repairs. He opened Argo in 2014 and will soon be opening another location in Stuart, Florida. If you’re in the Mokena area, be sure to reach out to Argo Custom Canvas & Upholstery at (630) 667-8173 for your Horizon needs.
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