News

The shortest day has been and gone, so summer must be coming!

Well, maybe not just yet, but that leaves plenty of time to start and finish all those winter jobs.

Shade/Sun sails

When you have taken these down we suggest you look at the following parts:

• Stitching – does this look strong, has it started to unravel in a few places?
• Fittings/ratchets – do they work properly and easily?
• Edges – are they showing signs of wearing or rubbing on something?

If your Shade/Sun Sail has any of these problems, then bring it into us and we can repair it for you ready for summer.

How dirty is it? As Shade/Sun sails are mesh, dust and dirt gets caught in the weave. We can clean it for you, using a ‘material friendly’ cleaner.

When all the above bits are done, then please make sure you store it away from rodents. The little creatures love to chew holes in Shade/Sun Sails. We can repair these but hopefully by correct storage this can be avoided.

Veranda (Deck) Curtains

Winter is probably the time when you will be using these the most. As we have stronger winds in winter (mostly), then check that all attachments are screwed/bolted/riveted on tightly.

To clean your Curtains, we recommend you use a mild soapy detergent, ie dishwash, car, citrus based cleaners. Make sure the cloth you use is clean and free from any burrs so the curtains do not get scratched. When you have finished washing the curtains, we suggest you towel them dry to avoid water marks.

Boat Covers and Squabs

Boats often get parked and forgotten about over winter. When you aren’t using your boat so much, it is a perfect time to look at the cover.

• Fittings – are these attached to your boat firmly, or do they need to be screwed/riveted back on?
• Domes – check around the windscreen and on the canopy. Are they all in place? Stitching – is the stitching on your boat cover looking worse for wear?
• Squabs – need restitching, repairing or replacing?

If any of these apply to your boat, then ring us to book your boat in for repairs. Boats are securely stored inside our premises.

Boat Storage Covers

If your boat is stored outside, or in a shed that isn’t closed in, then you need a storage cover. This cover will protect your boat paintwork, upholstery and the gear inside it from sun, wind, rain and bird poo. You won’t have to spend ages cleaning up the boat before you can use it. Storage Covers are custom made for your boat. One size DOES NOT fit all with a John Hewinson Canvas cover. We use a quality, UV treated material which is strong, but light enough to make putting it on easy.

We need your boat to custom make the cover, so contact us to arrange a date for this to happen.

What a summer! Northland has been the place to live and enjoy over the last few months, with record sunshine and temperatures.

As a result, most of us have spent more time outside on our decks than we have inside our homes. Entertaining has been easy, invite friends and family around, get the bbq going and that’s all there is to it……except….

If the wine is getting warm, the beer is boiling and the guests are gasping in the hot sun, then you won’t be as popular is you may want to be. That’s where John Hewinson Canvas can make you the most sought after host or hostess by designing and custom making a Shade / Sun Sail for your outdoor area.

Shade/Sun Sails protect you and your guests by providing up to 97% UV protection, the wine stays cool, the beer stays cold and only the sausages get burnt!

A John Hewinson Canvas Shade / Sun Sail won’t be saggy or baggy because it’s too big, nor will it have long ropes because it’s too small to reach the poles. It will fit exactly, so you have maximum protection from the harsh sun.

The range of colours for Shade/Sun Sails is extensive, so there is definitely something to match and enhance your home. Don’t forget, your outdoor furniture will also be protected, so less bird poo and leaves, and it will last so much longer. If there is only light drizzly rain, there is a high chance your outdoor furniture will stay dry under a Shade/Sun Sail too.

Of course with the hot summer we have been busy manufacturing a lot of Shade/Sun Sails, but we have also had a big demand for boat covers. Going out on the water is a great Northland pastime, but if you are getting burnt while fishing, you need to get a Bimini Canopy made for your boat.

We also make Road Covers so the chilly bin doesn’t fly out while you are towing your boat, and Storage Covers for when the boat isn’t being used. All materials used are UV treated and ideal for the outdoor and marine environment.

For a quote on a cover, ring us on 09 4381741 or email us some photos of your boat.

 

Does your Dad, Grandad, Uncle, Brother, Father in law or any other male (or female) in the family have a boat and/or go fishing? Then we have the perfect Christmas present for them.

Our sea anchors are the perfect gift for the boatie. Top quality, lasting for years. Great for all types of fishing but especially soft bait as they really slow down your drift. We have various sizes, depending on the size and style of your boat. They can also be useful as a safety device if things go a bit pear shaped.

Insulated Catch Bags are another really useful present. Made from UV treated material, plastic zip and tough webbing handles these will keep any fish fresh. Two sizes available, 1.2m long or 700mm long. Insulated Catch Bags are great for boaties but also for the land based fisherperson as they are easily carried. Excellent as a chilly bin for family picnics, just don’t put the bait in at the same time.

We have plenty of sizes of both these products in stock. Come and see us for quick and easy shopping. Free parking, so easy.

Because all our staff have worked really hard this year, as they do every year, we are closed for a break from 24 December to 16 January 2017.

We have already established that a long lasting product made using quality materials is better for landfills, the environment and your wallet, but what determines a quality product?

 

Quality Fabric – we all know the NZ sun is harsh on our skin and it’s the same for fabrics. John Hewinson Canvas use Ripstop® PVC and Sunbrella® or Planasol® Canvas fabrics that have passed rigorous tests applying to NZ and/or Australian standards for UV breakdown, fading, wind strength etc. That way you know that a custom made product from us is going to be made using the correct fabric for the job and give you reliable service for many years to come.

 

Quality Workmanship –we have one apprentice (currently completing his MITO training) and the rest of our staff are fully qualified Tradespeople with many years of experience. Our team know their products, fabrics and what they are doing when they are measuring and manufacturing products. We pride ourselves on extremely high quality workmanship from designing through to installing. Job done right, first time, every time.

 

Quality Fittings and attachments – most products we make need to be attached in some way. There is no point in making something with top quality fabric and great workmanship to let it down with cheap fittings. John Hewinson Canvas only use quality fittings, either galvanised or stainless steel on shade sails which suits Northlands coastal environment and anything nature offers. All our boat covers have aluminium and nylon fittings perfect for salty conditions.

 

Quality Service – Protect your investment, family and friends from the elements over summer, ring us now to arrange a measure and install on one of our products made using quality fabric, workmanship and fittings.

 

We are into our busy season with 25 December looming. All our customers are wanting to know if their work will be done by this date. The answer is yes….at the moment! But time slots are getting booked up fast so contact us ASAP!

 

Are John Hewinson Canvas products environmentally friendly? Yes!

While most people think of something being recyclable, and therefore environmentally friendly, this only happens at the end of the products life. We don’t always think about the affect on the environment during the product life.

In the summer a shade sail attached to your home will cut down on heat inside and with lots of homes having HVAC systems, the reduction in heat inside will reduce power bills. In winter, Shade Sails can easily be taken down, allowing the sun to warm up your home, once again reducing heating costs.  Great for your wallet and reducing the demand for electricity. Less hydro dams have to be good for nature and the environment.

In a similar way, veranda curtains blocking out cold winds and rain help to keep your home warmer. The heat that builds up in the sheltered deck area of your home transfers inside, once again reducing electricity or firewood costs. You can even use the warm deck to dry the washing instead of using the dryer.

Cheap, imported, mass produced products have a very short life span. This only adds to landfills and drains your wallet when you have to replace them after a short time. Having John Hewinson Canvas custom make you a long lasting product using quality materials, is so much better for the environment and your pocket.

Contact us today to arrange a free quote on any of our range.

John Hewinson Canvas are in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. Contact us on 09 438 1741. We can do any type of boat cover or boat cover repair for your craft.

We can custom manufacture marine covers for all types of boats. We cover run-a-bouts, trailer boats, yachts, catamarans, trimarans, launches, dinghys etc. Boat bimini covers, storage covers, back covers, yacht sail covers, cockpit covers and marine clears are all our specialty. We also make covers for all electronic equipment and outboard motor covers.

• If you boat is a trailer one, its really easy, we offer lots of off street parking and your boat can be stored in our secure premises while your work is being done.
• If you have a launch or yacht, contact us and we can visit your vessel and discuss various options for covers with you. You may also like to email us some photos of your larger boat in advance
• The inside of your boat can be taken care of as we have a qualified upholsterer for all squabs, head linings etc. We have Autex marine carpet, ideal for the cockpit of your boat.
• We also sell sea anchors (drogues) and insulated catch bags for your fish.

 

Contact us to arrange a free measure and quote or to have any questions answered about your boat cover.

As the warm weather continues, so do your opportunities to entertain at home. To have the perfect outdoor entertaining area simply give us a ring 09 438 1741 or email us to arrange a free quote for some veranda (deck) curtains, a shade/sun sail or a waterproof outdoor canopy. These will all enhance your outdoor area and make you very popular with your friends and family.

We have an agent in Port Vila, Vanuatu. They can measure and install Shade/Sun Sails, Mesh Screens, Boat Covers etc for your home or business.  Contact Vanua Disaen, who are based in Port Vila. Stu McEwen, phone 00678 777 9447  has a full range of samples and plenty of photos of work they have completed in Vanuatu.