Do You Know Your ABC ?

By Carol L. Allen

Knowing your ABC (Marine, that is) is a plus for Arizona boaters.

Linda and Chuck Beatty, ABC owners, specialize in custom marine canvas — including, but not limited to, boat covers, bimini tops, full enclosures (camper and screen). And, ABC prides itself on one-day custom bimini tops.

The company uses the highest-quality materials, and the Beattys do all the work themselves for both retail work and for the high volume of canvas work for local boat dealers. Customers’ boats are kept in their climate-controlled and secured building.

They do require appointments for all canvas work.

ABC Marine was founded in 1985 by Frank and Dorothy Wagner (Linda’s parents); Frank is a master canvas maker from Ohio and Michigan. Then, the Wagners moved to Arizona in 1977 to work on canvas for the SEA Ray plant, starting ABC Marine in 1985.

In 1997, they sold the business to Chuck and Linda and trained the couple to carry on the tradition in excellent craftsmanship and quality.

And, the Beattys know boats. According to Linda, "We are avid boaters. We eat and sleep and breathe boats.

"We have owned nine very different styles of boats in nine years. Currently, we have an older sedan-bridge cruiser [and] have enjoyed re-working the canvas and renovating the interior."

The couple spends wintertime at Canyon Lake, fishing and relaxing. During the summer, they go to Roosevelt Lake, and they spend at least one week at Lake Powell in September.

Chuck grew up on the lakes in Nashville, Tenn., (and, according to Linda, you can hear it in his accent!); Linda was raised on the lakes in Ohio and Michigan. "We both love the water," says Linda.

The Beattys are proud parents of three daughters: Bria is a junior at ASU; Kristi is a freshman at Middle Tennessee State University, and Kelsey is a high school sophomore. All the daughters enjoy watersports and fishing.

When asked what advice the Beattys have for boat owners, Chuck replied with the following list of do-not-do’s:

  • never double-bag your canvas (cover a cover); it wears out both covers faster and doesn’t allow your boat to breathe;
  • never trailer your boat with the bimini open or in the strutted position; we repair several biminis a year that have been damaged just by towing this way;
  • never exceed 35 to 40 mph with your bimini open; biminis are for shade, not parasailing, and
  • never use a canvas person who can schedule you in right away in the heart of the season; there is a reason that a canvas shop is not busy.

Now you know your ABC (Marine). It has been a pleasure for Arizona Boating & Watersports to work with the Beattys, who have been a great help in the paper’s launching year.

And, it’s always rewarding to meet people who enjoy what they do — and where they do it. According to Linda, "We love Arizona because you can enjoy boating year around, and we do!"

ABC Marine is located at 5054 40th Street, Phoenix, Ariz. 85040 (one-half mile south of the I-10 freeway, off the 40th Street exit). Call (602) 470-1600 for free price quotes and to make appointments.