Big B's Boat Canvas

Big B's Boat Canvas was founded in 1992 and has been focused on producing custom, high end fabric products for boats ever since. From small repairs to complete canvas and upholstery jobs, we've done it all!

The Big B's Story...

Brian graduated from vo-tech school in 1981 after completing a two year welding and fabrication course. He worked for Clyde Iron as a welder and would go work for Proctor Canvas during layoffs.

During his time at Proctor Canvas, he learned the basics of boat covers and tops.

When steel mills were shutting down everywhere, he knew he needed to find a better, more stable source of income to support his family. He got a job with the Postal Service and carried mail for 7 years.

After some major struggles in his personal life, he decided he needed to make some big changes. Over the years, people had asked him to make things for their boats and he'd done it as a side job for extra money. He'd received a lot of compliments and was told by several people that he seemed to have a natural talent for boat canvas.

In Spring 1992, Brian started going from marina to marina with a trailer. Inside was his fabric and a sewing machine. He knew he was going to need more room and a better working space if he was going to keep this up.

In Summer 1993, Brian bought the big brick building out in Gary and Big B's Boat Canvas opened it's doors. It was actually Big B's Boat Canvas and Taxidermy at first. The canvas shop was in the basement and the taxidermy shop was on the first floor. The second floor has always been an apartment.

Eventually Brian had so much demand for his boat canvas products that he had to stop doing taxidermy. He still does some mounts for himself and his friends and family, but the taxidermy studio has now been converted into an apartment. One of his mounts is on display at Mr. D's Bar and Grill in West Duluth.

Today you can see the work of Big B's Boat Canvas at marinas near and far. Brian has worked on hundreds of boats in all shapes and sizes. If you would like to see some examples of projects we have done, take a look at our photo album titled, "Our Work".