The Ship's Tailor
The Ship's Tailor — Deltaville, VA
◆N 37°33′16″/W 76°20′12″

◆Deltaville's Canvas Crafting Connoisseurs

Anchored
in Excellence.

From fray to yay — every stitch tells a tale of craftsmanship and care.

Welcome Aboard

Custom navy canvas enclosure on a sportfisher at golden hour in Deltaville, VA

Welcome aboard to The Ship's Tailor — where every stitch tells a tale.

Nestled in the heart of Deltaville, Virginia, our team of canvas tailoring experts is dedicated to keeping your seafaring adventures smooth and stylish. Whether you sail a stately yacht or a beloved runabout, we tailor every cover, cushion, and closure to the standards of the sea.

25+
Years on the water
9
Trades under one roof
1
Stitch at a time

Our Trades

From fray to yay.

A full canvas crew under one roof. Choose a craft — we'll tailor the rest to your vessel.

01

Custom Marine Canvas

Top-quality repair service to prolong the life and maintain the look and design of your marine covers and enclosures.

02

Top Repair

Whether a large yacht enclosure or a wee little runabout, we match the original material or tailor it to your changing needs.

03

Seat Repair

Boat seats endure more wear than any other fixture on a vessel. Our upholstery craftsmen routinely patch, restore, and renew.

04

Snaps & Hardware

Expertly crafted snap and hardware replacements that honor the timeless beauty of every vessel we touch.

05

Window Replacement

When canvas covers begin to break down, windows are usually first to show their age — especially panels facing the sun.

06

Zipper Repair

Broken tops, missing teeth, sliders that won't slide. No part of a boat's canvas takes more abuse than the zippers.

07

Custom Alterations

As a custom shop we fabricate new work and reimagine the old. A boat is a dynamic, ever-changing adventure.

08

Re-stitch

Even marine-grade UV-protected poly thread breaks down after about five years of sun. When it goes, we put it right.

09

Velcro Replacement

Worn-out Velcro is bothersome when panels and openings no longer seal tight. We replace it cleanly and built to last.

Portfolio

Recent work, stitch by stitch.

A small sampling from our loft — sailboats, sportfishers, and cruisers from across the Chesapeake. Every project measured, fitted, and finished by hand.

Trojan 10 Meter — Full Bridge Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ FULL BRIDGE ENCLOSURE

Trojan 10 Meter

Navy canvas enclosure with clear vinyl panels — Deltaville, VA

Bluewater Cruiser — Dodger & Bimini by The Ship's Tailor

◆ DODGER & BIMINI

Bluewater Cruiser

Tan Sunbrella dodger with matching bimini and connector

Express Cruiser — Camper Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ CAMPER ENCLOSURE

Express Cruiser

Clear vinyl wrap-around with reinforced black binding

S/V Ionia — Sailboat Dodger by The Ship's Tailor

◆ SAILBOAT DODGER

S/V Ionia

Khaki dodger with strataglass windows on the Chesapeake

Sportfisher — Aft Enclosure & Curtains by The Ship's Tailor

◆ AFT ENCLOSURE & CURTAINS

Sportfisher

Full aft curtain set with reinforced corners and stainless snaps

Catalina Cockpit — Bimini Interior by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BIMINI INTERIOR

Catalina Cockpit

Tan acrylic bimini with clean inside finish and cable supports

Catalina Morgan — Dodger Cover by The Ship's Tailor

◆ DODGER COVER

Catalina Morgan

Charcoal storage cover protecting strataglass through the winter

Trojan International — Bridge Canvas by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BRIDGE CANVAS

Trojan International

Refit bridge enclosure with navy binding and clear panels

Express 32 — Bridge Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BRIDGE ENCLOSURE

Express 32

Dark canvas frame with full clear panels in covered storage

Catamaran Cockpit — Full Cockpit Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ FULL COCKPIT ENCLOSURE

Catamaran Cockpit

Wrap-around clear vinyl enclosure with reinforced black binding at dusk

Catamaran Salon — Enclosure Interior by The Ship's Tailor

◆ ENCLOSURE INTERIOR

Catamaran Salon

Inside view — tensioned panels and tight stainless hardware

Sailboat Center Cockpit — Full Cockpit Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ FULL COCKPIT ENCLOSURE

Sailboat Center Cockpit

Wrap-around dodger and side curtains in matching navy canvas

Sailboat Dodger — Hard-Top Dodger by The Ship's Tailor

◆ HARD-TOP DODGER

Sailboat Dodger

Low-profile dodger with curved strataglass at golden hour

Island Packet — Bimini Top by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BIMINI TOP

Island Packet

Navy Sunbrella bimini on stainless frame, fitted for the cruising season

Trawler Flybridge — Flybridge Enclosure by The Ship's Tailor

◆ FLYBRIDGE ENCLOSURE

Trawler Flybridge

Royal blue canvas with white piping and strataglass panels

Center Console Bow — Bow Cushion Set by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BOW CUSHION SET

Center Console Bow

Cream vinyl bow seating with navy piping and channel-stitched panels

Leaning Post Bench — Bench Cushion by The Ship's Tailor

◆ BENCH CUSHION

Leaning Post Bench

White marine vinyl bench with navy piping, freshly built in-shop

Console Bolster — Helm Bolster by The Ship's Tailor

◆ HELM BOLSTER

Console Bolster

Wrap-around helm bolster cushion with contrast piping

01/18

Our Process

Knot Your Average Tailor.

Everything on a boat takes a beating in the marine environment. From measuring to after-care, every stage is in our hands.

  1. Step 01

    Measuring

    We come aboard with measuring tools and a fresh eye, capturing every curve, fitting, and frame so the finished cover lays true to your vessel.

  2. Step 02

    Estimating

    We'll work with you to budget the right balance between function and aesthetics — no surprises, just options.

  3. Step 03

    Fabrication

    In the loft, panels are cut, stitched, and reinforced by hand. Marine-grade thread, hardware, and fabric — chosen for the conditions you sail in.

  4. Step 04

    Installation

    Back to the dock for fitting. We tension, fasten, and dial in every snap, zipper, and Velcro seal so the canvas closes the way it should.

  5. Step 05

    After Care

    Sun and salt never quit, and neither do we. We're here for tune-ups, re-stitching, and the small fixes that keep your investment going season after season.

Whether you need a quick-fix patch on a mooring cover or an exacting window replacement on a bridge enclosure, we offer both detailed and economy repair services. Just let us know what suits your budget and needs — we'll go over all of your options to ensure you get the best results.

Skilled hands stitching marine canvas with navy thread and brass hardware
"Every cover we build is meant to outlast the season — and the season after that."

Our Story

The Ship's Tailor Story.

In a place where boating isn't a pastime but a way of life, The Ship's Tailor was born from a simple belief — the details matter.

Chapter I

Rooted in Deltaville

Nestled in the heart of Deltaville, Virginia, along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, The Ship's Tailor has long served the boaters, fishermen, sailors, and families who call these waters home.

For years, the shop earned its reputation through craftsmanship — restoring and creating custom canvas work designed to withstand the demanding marine environment while elevating the beauty and comfort of life on the water.

Chapter II

Where experience met precision

From mooring covers and bimini tops to full enclosures, upholstery, window replacements, and one-of-a-kind custom solutions, The Ship's Tailor became known as the place where experience met precision.

Every stitch represented pride in workmanship and a deep understanding that a boat is more than a vessel. It is where memories are made.

Chapter III

Built one handshake at a time

As Deltaville continued its legacy as one of the Chesapeake Bay's most beloved boating communities, The Ship's Tailor evolved alongside it.

Generations of boaters trusted the shop to preserve the appearance, function, and longevity of the investments they cherished most. The business grew through handshakes at the marina, referrals from loyal customers, and a reputation built one project at a time.

Chapter IV

A new chapter, the same compass

Today, The Ship's Tailor enters an exciting new chapter under new ownership.

While honoring the craftsmanship and relationships that built its foundation, the new owners are committed to carrying the tradition forward with fresh energy, renewed passion, and an unwavering dedication to quality.

EST. — THEN
The original Ship's Tailor canvas label — Deltaville, VA

The original label

Hand-stitched to canvas. The mark Chesapeake boaters have known for decades.

REFINEDTODAY
NEW CHAPTER
The Ship's Tailor — refreshed crossed-needles mark

The new mark

Crossed sailmaker's needles. Same craft, sharpened for a new generation at the loft.

The faces may be new, but the commitment is timeless.

Because on the Chesapeake Bay, traditions are meant to be preserved, and the best stories are still being written.

Meet the Tailor

The hands behind the craft.

A Deltaville fixture for decades, The Ship's Tailor is now stewarded by a new generation — same loft, same standards, same love for the boats that fill the Bay.

Scott Moran — owner of The Ship's Tailor

◆ AT THE HELM

Owner

Scott Moran

Scott is the current owner of The Ship's Tailor, carrying forward one of Deltaville's most recognized marine service businesses. He's committed to preserving the shop's reputation for craftsmanship and personalized service that has defined it for decades.

Under his leadership, the loft continues the tradition of creating custom marine canvas and upholstery solutions — biminis, enclosures, dodgers, cushions, and upholstery — for sailors, sportfishermen, and yacht owners throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.

EMAIL SCOTT
Kelcey Midkiff — The Ship's Tailor

◆ ON THE WATER

Partner in Sail

Kelcey Midkiff

Kelcey Midkiff brings a genuine love of boating and the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle to The Ship's Tailor. As both a sailor and marine enthusiast, she understands the importance of quality craftsmanship and the details that make time on the water more comfortable and enjoyable.

Whether helping customers bring a vision to life or guiding them through the many options available, Kelcey is committed to providing the personalized service and attention to detail that The Ship's Tailor has been known for over the decades.

EMAIL KELCEY

New stewards. Same loft. Same standards.

Stop by the shop in Deltaville — or drop a line. We'd love to hear about your boat.

Chart Your Course

Where in the world are you sailing from?

Drop in a place or a set of coordinates — our AI navigator will plot the other half and share a note from the chart room.

Try:

A Note From The Helm

"The attention to detail at The Ship's Tailor is unmatched. They not only fixed the tear in my canvas but reinforced it for future voyages. I won't trust anyone else with my boat."
— David Mathews