Upholstery Material

[Sailfree]

I am renovating my deck saloon sailing yacht but am posting on here as I think many of you will possibly have more experience of the material choice.

I am considering the choice between Alacantara or Connolly hide leather. We want a light Ivory colour to replace the faux leather saloon upholstery.

I just don't know how real leather wears in the UK climate and with people sitting on it in wet sailing clothes (with sailing you are on deck in all weathers).

Appreciate advice from anyone with experience of either of these materials.

Thanks

 

[rafiki_]

For seat material, I would choose leather ahead of alcantara. Alcantara marks very easily.

 

[Firefly625]

+1

Leather = wipe clean

Alcantara lovely when new, not so great thereafter.

 

[blueglass]

our dark blue alacantara faded slightly in the med sun along the tops of the seatbacks nearest the windows, otherwise still good after 8 years use. even got it soaked with sea water a few times after forgetting to close hatches when under way! It sponged clean without staining.
For constant use with folks in wet gear though you are probably better off with leather.

 

[Sailfree]

Interestingly I posted the similar question on Scuttlebutt.

Few replied on Motor Boat were 100% for leather

Few replies on Scuttlebutt were 100% for Alacantara!!

Speaking to companies that reupholster the majority just want to suggest cheaper alternatives that they use!

It seems to me that Leather on a sailing boat in the UK will be cold (Audi A6 has heated leather seats), will scuff but be easier to wipe clean. Alacantara of a light colour will show the dirt and require frequent cleaning.

Without more info probably going to go with wifes choice (prefers leather) or anything wrong with it will get "I told you to get the leather!"

 

[rafiki_]

Interestingly I posted the similar question on Scuttlebutt.

Few replied on Motor Boat were 100% for leather

Few replies on Scuttlebutt were 100% for Alacantara!!

Speaking to companies that reupholster the majority just want to suggest cheaper alternatives that they use!

It seems to me that Leather on a sailing boat in the UK will be cold (Audi A6 has heated leather seats), will scuff but be easier to wipe clean. Alacantara of a light colour will show the dirt and require frequent cleaning.

Without more info probably going to go with wifes choice (prefers leather) or anything wrong with it will get "I told you to get the leather!"

Good decision

 

[Talulah]

Never tried leather but our Alcantara fabric has been wonderful. It's taken a lot of abuse. I still have some spare in the loft just in case.
Saloon with seats covered in Alcantara but note all the curves are two dimensional. It doesn't work very well for 3 dimensional curves.

 

[Actionmat]

Nice interior

if choosing a material based on comfort, bear in mind that the most expensive Rolls Royce's had leather up front for the chauffeur and cloth in the back for the owner as fabric is more comfortable to sit on.

 

[Sailfree]

Nice interior

if choosing a material based on comfort, bear in mind that the most expensive Rolls Royce's had leather up front for the chauffeur and cloth in the back for the owner as fabric is more comfortable to sit on.

Decision final after speaking to a friend who has a new yacht with ivory coloured alacantara. they are constantly cleaning the alacantara they think from denim jeans. leather is easier to wipe over. If we wanted dark blue I would tend towards alacantara.