Reupholstering a Boat Seat

Padded boat seats make a trip more comfortable than bare fiberglass or aluminum ones, but over time the sun and water deliver a serious beating to exposed seat covers. Eventually, such covers need to be reupholstered, which involves replacing the cover material and foam padding. However, good technique makes the difference between a professional, snug seat cover and a bunched-up baggy one.

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
  • Staple remover tool
  • Notepad and pen
  • Calculator
  • Vinyl fabric
  • Fabric-cutting services
  • Industrial stapler and staples
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove all of the boat seats that need re-working from the boat. Either remove the covers by unzipping them (if they were installed with zippers) or separate their seams with a knife or staple remover. Pull out any foam that looks deteriorated or rotten.

    • 2

      Measure the dimensions of each seat core -- the parts of the seats leftover after the old seat covers were removed - with a tape measure. Write down the dimensions for each seat on a notepad with a pen.

    • 3

      Recalculate your measurements by adding 7 inches to every dimension you wrote down; this provides slop (extra material) for folding and over-stitching and revise the figures on your notepad accordingly; use a calculator to get the correct totals if needed. Note which seats need new foam inserts as well.

    • 4

      Take your seat cores to a fabric shop with your dimensions and a sample of the fabric you want them recovered with. Purchase enough sheet foam and vinyl fabric from the merchant to adequately cover your seats; add in 10 percent more vinyl fabric than you think you need to account for for potential mistakes. Have the merchant’s staff to precut the fabric and foam per your measurements for each seat if you like – this will cost extra, but let you avoid having to guess yourself.

    • 5

      Spread the vinyl fabric for each seat out on a large table. If needed, place the new foam sheet on the appropriate fabric. Place the seat core upside down on the respective vinyl fabric piece. Fold the vinyl over the upside-down seat core and pull it tight. Staple it into the place into the bottom of the boat seat core. Make clean folds as you pull the vinyl fabric around the seat corners to avoid any slack.

    • 6

      Install an additional set of staples for security. Turn the completed seat back over and examine your work. Re-do a section if you see slack or looseness by pulling out the staples, repulling the section and restapling.

    • 7

      Reinstall the reupholstered seats back in the boat as you complete them.