What Types of Material Can You Use to Reupholster a Boat?

Whether you opt for the expensive look of Naugahyde or the less expensive materials available as of mid-2010, boat upholstery fabrics cover the spectrum from a leather look-alike to genuine vinyl. Fabrics to satisfy the performance needs of many consumers are available from most upholstery and sewing shops, as is the ever-versatile marine vinyl, in both seat materials and flooring, allowing you to make your own repairs or even create new seat covers as needed.

  1. Vinyl

    • Naugahyde and a variety of marine vinyls are inherently waterproof, making them the first choice for marine seating applications. Naugahyde is a leather look-alike that approximates the look and feel of leather at a fraction of the cost.

      Marine vinyls provide a waterproof surface with the appearance of a variety of different types of fabric or other upholstery material. Marine vinyls are relatively easy to use as seating repair or replacement materials since you can use the original cover as a template or pattern from which to cut the replacement seat cover.

      Rolled sheet vinyl is commonly used for floor coverings on recreational boats.

      Naugahyde, a propriety material, is the more expensive option.

    Synthetic Waterproof Fabrics

    • Proprietary marine synthetics like herculite provide the feel of cloth but are waterproof for the marine environment. Nylon provides a waterproof surface and seating finish that completely excludes water from seat cushions. Nylon is also suitable for carpeting if the carpet is treated with the appropriate chemicals to make its fibers waterproof.

      It's noteworthy that nylon carpet, properly treated and with a special nylon backing, is sold as marine carpet. Marine carpet has a nylon sheet as its backing, preventing water from penetrating to the decking beneath the vinyl. Usually glued in place over a floor surface, either directly to the deck or to an "overdeck," a piece of plywood that's laid over the deck, nylon marine carpet is also used as wall covering in some marine applications.

      There are also laminated fabrics, where a waterproof element is added to a standard cloth. These fabrics are marketed under a variety of trade names, including Sunbrella and Cordura.

    Leather and Canvas

    • Leather provides a suitable marine surface (it makes cows waterproof) for desk and seating. The only problem is that seams in the leather must be made waterproof as well. Usually this only involves the application of a commercially-available waterproofing material.

      Canvas has been used aboard boats as sail material and, more recently, as a seating material, particularly in "director's chairs" used aboard boats as auxiliary seating. Canvas is a natural cotton duck, study and usually capable of being removed from a seat and washed in a washing machine without fear of damage.