Burnham Boat Slings

What Burnham Boat Slings does

Burnham Boat Slings is a privately held manufacturer of custom marine boat covers, storage slings, and vehicle-mounted cartop transport systems, operating from a single production facility at 57 Hanover Street in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The company's product portfolio spans custom-fit rowing shell covers (singles through eights), boat slings for daily boathouse use and regattas, surf ski and outrigger canoe covers, coastal rowing products, cartop carrier systems, and a range of accessory bags and safety equipment, all made to order in its New Hampshire shop. Technical differentiation rests on a proprietary database of boat measurements covering major rowing, surf ski, and outrigger manufacturers worldwide, combined with the Burnham Signature 2-inch by 2-inch Diamond Quilted Lining and YKK #10 marine zippers with redesigned bow and stern ends including integrated safety features.

The business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce through burnhamboatslings.com, complemented by exclusive international distributors in New Zealand (Aotearoa Boat Company), UK/Europe (Five57 Sportsgear), Australia (Perfect Balance Rowing), and Canada (RegattaSport). Pricing ranges from $8 tie-down straps to $1,789 Sunbrella-lined full-zip eight-oar covers, with custom cover orders carrying a four-week lead time, accessory bags one to two weeks, and slings and cartop systems shipping same or next day. Revenue streams include one-time custom cover purchases, hardware sales (slings, cradles, cartop systems, accessory bags), and a recurring repair and upgrade services line that handles zipper replacements, fabric upgrades, and cradle replacement. Customers are segmented between individual rowers and surf ski racers (primary), clubs/high schools/universities (primary), surf ski and kayak enthusiasts (secondary), and international dealers acting as channel partners.

The firm is small, with approximately five employees per firmographic data (though nine named contributors appear on the public team page including seamstresses, stitchers, a production manager, legal counsel, and the founder Peter Kermond), is privately held with no institutional investment, and uses a content-and-community go-to-market anchored in regatta attendance, social media (#BurnhamUnderCover), an in-house podcast, YouTube how-to content, and a USRowing-affiliated safety kit partnership. Recent strategic emphasis has been on building out the four-region international distributor channel and extending the product line into Custom Color Slings with embroidery and team-logo customization.

Name

Burnham Boat Slings

Legal name

Burnham Boat Slings

Website

https://burnhamboatslings.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Burnham Boat Slings manufactures custom boat covers, slings, and cartop systems for rowing shells, surf skis, and outrigger canoes, selling direct-to-consumer worldwide via e-commerce and exclusive international distributors across four regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Boat Covers and Rowing Accessories

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Yacht Tenders & Auxiliary Leisure Craft Manufacturing (IMAJAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Trailer & Transport Equipment Retail (CRAMAIAL)

Keywords

• Custom boat covers
• Marine boat slings
• Rowing accessories
• Cartop transport systems
• Surf ski covers

Headquarters

HQ city

Lebanon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Boat Covers: Custom-made-to-order boat covers for rowing shells, surf skis, and outrigger canoes. Products include Full Zip, Strap & Buckle, and Fleece styles in various marine fabrics. One-time purchase model.
2. Boat Slings: Signature boat slings including Chesapeake (small boat) and Atlanta (big boat) models. Replacement cradles also available. One-time hardware purchases.
3. Cartop Systems: Vehicle roof rack systems for transporting boats including CT 1X, CT 2X, and V-Bar systems. Components and replacement parts also sold.
4. Travel and Storage Bags: Oar bags, blade covers, rigger bags, erg covers, paddle bags, and storage bags for rowing and paddling equipment.
5. Repair Services: Cover repair and upgrade services including zipper replacement, redesign of bow/stern ends, and component upgrades. Professional services for extending product life.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Burnham Boat Slings is a small U.S. manufacturer that designs, patterns, and hand-makes custom-fit boat covers, boat slings, and vehicle cartop rack systems for rowing shells, surf skis, and outrigger canoes. All products are made-to-order at their Lebanon, New Hampshire factory using premium marine-grade fabrics (Sunbrella, WeatherMAX 80, Aqualon Edge Soft) and proprietary quilted nylon lining. The company also sells travel/storage bags, tie-down straps, and provides in-house cover repair and upgrade services.

Product overview

Burnham Boat Slings is a custom manufacturer of boat covers, slings, and cartop carrier systems for the rowing and surf ski communities. The product portfolio centers on three core product lines: Rowing Shell Covers (for singles, doubles, fours, and eights) featuring Full Zipper, Strap & Buckle, and Fleece styles; Slings (Chesapeake for small boats and Atlanta for large boats) with new Custom Color options; and Cartop Systems for transporting boats on vehicle roofs. Supporting products include Travel/Storage/Safety Bags (erg covers, oar bags, rigger bags), Coastal Products, Surf Ski Covers, and Outrigger Canoe Covers. All covers are custom-made to order using premium marine fabrics (Sunbrella, WeatherMAX 80, Aqualon Edge Soft) with options for quilted lining and team customization. The company also offers repair services and replacement parts. Products are manufactured in their Lebanon, New Hampshire facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rowing Shell Covers Custom-made boat covers for rowing shells (singles, doubles, fours, eights) offered in three styles and three marine fabrics with the signature quilted nylon lining. Designed for individual rowers, clubs, and university teams.
• Slings (Chesapeake and Atlanta) Signature boat storage and transport slings for daily boathouse use and regattas, sold as sets of two with replacement cradles available. For rowing programs and individual athletes.
• Custom Color Slings Customizable version of the Chesapeake and Atlanta slings allowing buyers to choose cradle colors, add custom embroidery, or include team/club logos. Launched in 2025.
• Travel, Storage and Safety Bags Comprehensive line of travel and storage bags including Erg Covers, Oar Bags, Blade Covers, Rigger Bags, USRowing Safety Kippy Kit, and Tie Down Straps, made from marine-grade Sunbrella and WeatherMAX 80 fabrics. For rowers and paddlers.
• Cartop Systems Vehicle roof-mounted boat carrier systems including CT 1X (single boats), CT 2X (doubles), V-Bar systems for kayaks and surf skis, and components such as rails, cradles, and mounting hardware. For athletes transporting boats by car.
• Coastal Products Specialized covers, car top systems, and accessories for coastal and open water rowing boats, including top-only or hull-only cover options. For coastal rowers.
• Surf Ski Covers Custom-fit covers for surf skis in single and double configurations, available in Sunbrella, WeatherMAX 80, and Aqualon Edge Soft fabrics with paddle bags and accessories. For surf ski racers.
• Outrigger Canoe Covers Custom-fit covers for outrigger canoes (OC1, OC2, OC6) using major manufacturer measurements, with Ama and Iako covers included for complete hull protection. For outrigger canoe paddlers.
• Sling Replacement Cradles WeatherMAX replacement cradles with Velcro closure for Chesapeake and Atlanta slings, available in multiple colors to refresh aging slings and support team customization.
• Cover Repair Services Professional repair and upgrade service for Burnham covers, bags, and slings, including redesigned bow/stern ends, YKK marine zipper upgrades, and fin Velcro replacement with 2-3 week turnaround. For existing Burnham customers.
• Other Storage Solutions Additional storage products including the Hanging Rack System with Pulley Hoist, Burnham Boat Lift, LowBoy T Stands, Stability Bars, and Burnham Boat Cart for boat transportation and storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-year warranty against fading on Sunbrella fabrics
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aotearoa Boat CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 January 2025Exclusive distributor for Burnham Boat Slings products in New Zealand. Aotearoa Boat Company is located at 57H Livingstone Street, Westmere, Auckland 1022, New Zealand. Main contact: Nick Dawe.
• RegattaSportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 April 2023Partnership with RegattaSport announced in April 2023 as business colleagues and friends. Relationship focused on collaboration in the rowing community.
• RegattaSportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Canada market. Located at 24 Queenston Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 2Y9, Canada.
• Five57 SportsgearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for UK and Europe market. Located at Bridgford Business Centre, Office 6b, 6 Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QX, United Kingdom. Main contact: Claire Kay.
• Perfect Balance RowingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Australia market. Located at Suite 653, 69 High Street, Heathcote, Victoria 3523, Australia. Main contact: Alastair Isherwood.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• West Marine: West Marine is the largest US marine accessories retailer, selling boat covers, slings, and storage products across powerboats and sailboats. Overlaps with Burnham in boat covers and accessories but operates as a broad-line retailer rather than a rowing-specialist custom manufacturer.

Direct peers

• Carver Industries: Carver Industries manufactures custom and semi-custom boat covers, enclosures, and biminis for powerboats and yachts. Direct comparable as a marine cover manufacturer serving similar end-user needs for boat protection, though Carver focuses on powerboats rather than rowing-specific craft.
• Dowco: Dowco manufactures marine covers, travel covers, and storage solutions for motorcycles, ATVs, and boats. Comparable to Burnham as a US-based fabric products manufacturer in marine protection equipment, with similar material-driven product positioning.
• Stormor Marine Covers: Stormor produces custom and stock boat covers for the boating industry. Closely comparable to Burnham as a marine cover specialist, though focused on powerboat segments rather than rowing.

Others

• Concept2: Concept2 is the dominant rowing equipment brand, making ergometers, oars, and indoor rowing accessories. Ecosystem participant serving the same rowing customers that buy Burnham covers, making it a downstream-adjacent brand in the rowing community.
• Braca-Sport: Braca-Sport manufactures rowing blades, blade covers, and paddlesport accessories. Overlaps with Burnham in the rowing accessories category and shares the same customer base of competitive and recreational rowers.
• Croker USA: Croker produces rowing oars and accessories for competitive rowing. A rowing-ecosystem brand serving the same teams, clubs, and athletes that purchase Burnham covers and slings.
• Nielsen-Kellerman (NK): Nielsen-Kellerman makes rowing electronics (SpeedCoach), performance instruments, and accessories. Competes for the same rowing-athlete wallet and shares the same direct-to-consumer premium positioning.
• Vespoli USA: Vespoli is a rowing shell manufacturer supplying shells and accessories to competitive programs. A potential upstream customer and ecosystem partner for Burnham's custom boat covers.
• Empacher: Empacher is a leading German rowing shell manufacturer whose boats require fitted covers. A potential upstream customer and ecosystem participant alongside Burnham in the competitive rowing supply chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/burnhamboat
• Facebookfacebook.com/Burnham-Boat-Slings-434260923804881
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peter-kermond-4b69036
• Instagraminstagram.com/burnhamboatslings

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burnham Boat Slings