Cost of all-new upholstery for a 27ft yacht

[Babylon]

Any clues on what I should be paying for new upholstery and foam on a 3-berth 27-footer?

Traditional layout with 2 single saloon-berths (each with a long mattress-cushion, and three back cushions held on with velcro) and a quarter-berth (with two base-cushions).

Will be heavy-duty fabric upholstery (Scotchguarded?) all round, except one of the quarter-berth cushions (the one which doubles as a seat at the chart-table) which needs to be vinyl or whatever so properly waterproof.

Is there any magic to 'marine' upholstery, or is just the same as 'land' upholstery?

 

[mlines]

No magic as far as I am concerned apart from the magic price that "marine" specialists charge.

To recover a seat squab - Marine = £250 High Street = £100. We used "Herberts" in Aldershot high street, traditional upholsterer with man in back of shop with ancient industrial sewing machine and a lifetime of skill.

 

[gjgm]

Any clues on what I should be paying for new upholstery and foam on a 3-berth 27-footer?

Traditional layout with 2 single saloon-berths (each with a long mattress-cushion, and three back cushions held on with velcro) and a quarter-berth (with two base-cushions).

Will be heavy-duty fabric upholstery (Scotchguarded?) all round, except one of the quarter-berth cushions (the one which doubles as a seat at the chart-table) which needs to be vinyl or whatever so properly waterproof.

Is there any magic to 'marine' upholstery, or is just the same as 'land' upholstery?

I believe natural fabrics tend to get damp on a boat, so while it may not need to be "marine" fabrics, you should probably check the label.

 

[Concerto]

Marine upholstry can be very expensive. My 32ft Westerly Fulmar has just had new cushions. I had been quoted from £2500 dependant on fabric by 2 marine upholsterers. By shopping around I found a local chap who did the job and cost me just under £800. He charged just under £600 for the foam and labour and I sourced the fabric. The fabric was the same as I had been quoted be a marine supplier at £18.50 per metre, but was a remnant bought on ebay at £5.50 per metre. The only extra saving was to buy and make the buttons up myself rather than paying for someone to do that. So check out people locally to you or your boat, and also include caravan suppliers.

 

[prv]

As others have said, staying away from specialist "marine" upholsterers is the key to a good price. We got Ariam's re-done by http://www.sewtrim.co.uk , who mostly does bus seats

Pete

 

[Babylon]

Thanks for the replies.

Now spoken to a local chap who estimates £80 average per cushion - new foam, upholstery, piping, buttons, flame-retardant, water-resistant, and no VAT.

This makes me happy... or shall I just say less unhappy at adding to this year's massive money-bleed!

 

[pcatterall]

Yes, a plus to all the reccommendations about avoiding ‘marine specialists’
We have always made our own ( for 2 boats and 3 camper vans to date!!).
We buy our foam from on line dealers and our material from our local ‘fent length’ dealer ( plenty in NE Lancashire still).
Having said this most of cushions spend most of their time in’ loose covers’ ( especially the berths) which dont look so smart but can be easily washed