Seasons of Amavi: An Award-Winning Cockpit Renewal
Amavi—Latin for “I have loved.” It is a name that reflects a deep connection to the Pacific coast and the seasons of adventure that define the sailing life.
We are proud to share that our work on the Hunter 356, Amavi, was recently honored with the 2026 MFA Fabrication Excellence Award of Excellence for Sailboat Enclosures. This project was a true renewal: an opportunity to preserve a vessel’s spirit while applying a technical design approach to enhance comfort and visibility.
The Strategy: Technical Sequencing for a Perfect Fit
When approaching a multi-component system—including a dodger, dual bimini tops, a connector, and a full enclosure—precision is paramount. To ensure every fastener landed on its mark, we utilized a specific sequencing strategy:
Primary Coverage: The dodger and bimini tops were templated and fabricated first.
The Enclosure System: Only once the primary structure was set did we template the enclosure panels.
This methodical approach allowed us to adapt seamlessly to the existing frame while delivering a transformation that feels like an original part of the boat’s geometry.
Engineering a Compressive Seal
The Hunter 356 features a prominent traveler arch, which often presents a challenge for water ingress. We applied an engineering-led solution to create a drier, more comfortable cockpit:
The Awning Seal: We integrated a sewn-in awning seal along the snap line where the bimini tops meet the arch, creating a compressive barrier against the rain.
Watershed Protection: We redesigned the previously problematic junction between the dodger and connector with precise panel overlaps and concealed zippers, eliminating the need for the bulky "flap extensions" used in the original design.
Clarity and Convenience
The renewal focused heavily on the "cruising experience" for the owners. We upgraded the dodger windows to Tuffak VR40 polycarbonate, providing the optical clarity needed for navigating the serene, but often debris-heavy, passages of the Georgia Strait.
For seasonal convenience, we also redesigned the removable center panel with a rail–keder–to–zipper system on the cabin top, ensuring smoother operation for the crew when the weather calls for open-air sailing.
A Result Rooted in Trust
The project was delivered just as the owners returned to Canada for their summer season. Seeing their enthusiasm as they stepped back onto a "renewed" vessel reminded us that technical precision is most powerful when it has an emotional impact.
