By Sigrid Tornquist

For Chandler and Charlene Clark of Signature CanvasMakers, the line between hobby and vocation is thin—but it is that common bond boat lovers share that often results in a profit for the company.

As the Clarks were readying to set sail one weekend last summer, they struck up a conversation with the owner of a 48-foot Ocean Yacht Sportfish, noting that the boat’s boarding mat bore a different name than was shown on the stern. The owner had recently purchased the boat and changed its name, but had not changed the mat. Chandler and Charlene offered to make him a new mat with his boat’s name embroidered on it, which they did. Next they manufactured a new sun awning for the boat, followed by a flybridge enclosure and custom exterior carpeting. Upon completion of those jobs, Signature CanvasMakers redesigned the boat’s entire interior, including valances, flooring, bedding and chairs.

Sigrid Tornquist is a freelance author and editor based in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the associate editor of InTents magazine, a publication of the Advanced Textiles Association.