Most DIY boaters lack the skills necessary to re-upholster a boat. Most of us require the assistance of a skilled maritime upholstery company for projects of this nature. This is particularly true for a project that involves replacing all of the upholstery, a task that requires engineering, production, and design of the fabric covers as well as the framework for the upholstery. A high-quality boat can last for a very long time if maintained properly. But occasionally replacing and repairing parts that are prone to wear and strain is part of proper maintenance. The most often used component of your boat is its seating.
Even with routine upkeep and care, it’s likely that your boat’s seats will become damaged as it gets older. Marine-grade vinyl is resilient, impervious to water, and resistant to fading. However, wear and tears are unavoidable. As you step into and off of the boat, you cause more wear and tear on the surfaces because your feet or shoes need to dig in for stability. Even marine-grade vinyl will eventually fade or break, and ongoing water exposure raises the possibility of mildew. You might find yourself visiting a boat show or browsing websites for improvement options as your yacht accumulates a layer of dirt and grime that grows tougher to clean over time. But the cost of new boats is substantial, particularly given the current economic environment.
Cost of Re-Upholstery
You might want to think about your options if the hard plastic surfaces, windshields, and vinyl seats on your yacht are showing symptoms of aging and wear. Reupholstering might be the first thing that comes to mind. Even though this alternative is unquestionably less expensive than replacing or purchasing new, it can still be highly costly. To reupholster a captain’s chair, you need a budget of at least $500 and between $100 and $300 per cushion. Boat upholstery repair expenses may run between $50 and $100 per hour. While this maintenance is being done, you will also need to dock the boat. This can lessen your enjoyment of boating this summer, depending on your provider and how they operate.
How to change Boat Upholstery?
The logical first step if you choose to replace the boat fabric yourself is to take out the old material. But hold out on that. In order to have benchmarks for comparison, you need actually take photos of the old upholstery from various angles while it is still on the boat. Take close-up photos of each piece before and throughout the removal of the staples and the skin.
Additionally, resist the urge to cut the skin off. You run the danger of ruining your fresh job by leaving staples in. Instead of removing all of your upholstery and then covering everything again, replace each piece one at a time. Your memory of how a cover should appear is more recent if you do it gradually. But from where do you buy this brand-new vinyl upholstery or other material? It can be created by you. Opens a new window or purchases fresh skins from a reputable vendor.
When your new upholstery is delivered, prepare it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. A new window is opened to prevent fold marks, you might need to spread the fabric out and perhaps steam it before attaching it. Seam rippers, slip film, a screwdriver, a staple remover, a stapler, stainless steel staples, and spray adhesive are typical installation tools. Additionally, have marine-grade foam, bonded polyester thread, welt trim, welt cord piping, and welts on hand.
Verify the foam is still functional as you remove the old textiles. It’s a good thing you have a new marine-grade foam to step in if the foam has become flat. Because the foam will be compressed by new upholstery, go a bit bigger than what might seem required. If only a few small spots or corners require attention, Dacron can be used. Lots of stitching and stapling are now required. Use needles and thread to create your own pattern or copy the one that is already there. Sewing machines are available, but they can be hazardous. Wait until you are certain that everything fits as it should before trimming any excess fabric. The hole-punching process should also be postponed until the installation is nearly complete.
For instance, wait to cut your speaker holes until after the cloth is put in. Don’t use regular pens, either. To mark the beginning and end of stripes, welts, cording, and other components, grease or pencil marks work just fine. The foam should be covered with plastic slip film before new upholstery is installed, as a final piece of advice. This keeps some water out, expedites the process significantly, and improves the appearance of the new fabric. Replacing marine upholstery can entail some trial and error, but when done correctly, the result is a gorgeous boat and many more adventures on the water.
If All Else Fails, Hire A Professional
As you can see, most people are perfectly capable of reupholstering boat seats. It should be clear that this is a labor-intensive operation that will take a lot of time, especially if you have numerous seats to reupholster. One approach to make the procedure simpler is to hire an expert. Although you will have to pay for their services, you won’t have to do everything yourself. But make sure the individual you employ has boating experience. They could not have the necessary competence for the job if they are unfamiliar with marine work. Another choice is to seek assistance from a friend. Consider collaborating with someone who is already passionate about upholstery to see what you can do.