Upholstery materials

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steveeasy

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My new boat has rather outdated and uncomfortable vinyl upholstery. quite cold and uncomfortable. Not sure what are the best materials to use. Needs to be fairly hardwearing and durable. but also comfortable. I wondered what other owners might have used, as there is probably a vast choice available on the market but keen to make sure I choose something that will last. Any suggestions on materials appreciated.

Steveeasy
 
This is what I have just used. Creature of habit as used the same in my earlier boat in 1995 and it was as good as new when I sold in 2019. Before and after pictures obviously!

There is a very wide choice and depends in part on whether you are doing it yourself of having it done professionally. If the latter then ask what the alternatives are.
 

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For my little boat I chose cheap cotton drill fabric. This we sewed up into removable covers for the foam mattresses. Every winter I remove the covers and wash them. In between I do not have to worry about the covers being "precious". In fact I have recovered a few times over 40 year ownership. You might consider doing similar to go over the vinyl or remove the vinyl. Sewing the covers is not so difficult with ordinary sewing machine. ol'will
 
William_H said:
For my little boat I chose cheap cotton drill fabric. This we sewed up into removable covers for the foam mattresses. Every winter I remove the covers and wash them. In between I do not have to worry about the covers being "precious". In fact I have recovered a few times over 40 year ownership. You might consider doing similar to go over the vinyl or remove the vinyl. Sewing the covers is not so difficult with ordinary sewing machine. ol'will
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I would not use cotton in the cool damp UK climate

I in fact used an inexpensive polypropylene fabric that was being sold for boat cushions at the time.
The same fabric , but a different colour, as Westerly were using in the 1970s

I though I had some good photos , but I cannot find them. This one will have to do.

1670808853560.png

It was fun getting the pattern to match on the cushions and all the way round the boat
 
When I had new upholstry for Concerto, I contacted 3 marine upholsterers for a quote and some samples of blue fabrics which had a rubberised backing. The fabric I liked best was a Chenille fabric that I found was used for chairs in old peoples homes. So much for a "marine" fabric. At the time all 3 upholsterers quoted from £2500 dependant on the fabric. Well I found local guy who would supply new foam and would do the making up, I just had to buy the fabric. Found a remnant supplier on eBay for the fabric. Total was under £800 for everything. The photo was taken 6 years after the upholstry was fitted.

IMG_2479 1000pix.jpg
 
I used navy and sand stripe fabric from Kayospruce on Blush. Eighteen years one, including a year living on board it is still in good condition. A machine wash every couple of years keeps it clean, the zips and button backs are all plastic so they don't rot.

On a previous boat I used upholstery fabric from a fabric warehouse, having seen the boat for sale last year, it still looks okay.
 
I used Eco-Suede from Kayospruce.
Not cheap at £30 a metre but it is soft, waterproof and seems fairly stain resistant. Ideal for a small wet boat but probably not necessary if your boat is always dry and clean.
 
steveeasy said:
My new boat has rather outdated and uncomfortable vinyl upholstery. quite cold and uncomfortable. Not sure what are the best materials to use. Needs to be fairly hardwearing and durable. but also comfortable. I wondered what other owners might have used, as there is probably a vast choice available on the market but keen to make sure I choose something that will last. Any suggestions on materials appreciated.

Steveeasy
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We bought our upholstery fabric in Santa Marta in Colombia. 2018. £5 per metre. It seems to be very good quality. We bought enough to do the whole saloon again.
My wife did the sewing on our 70 year old Singer 201k. It's a hard wearing fabric and cleanable. As liveaboards it gets some abuse. It's not a specific marine fabric but you would never know. The shiny bits in the photo are the sun shining through the hatch?received_901692904146525.jpeg
 
Concerto said:
When I had new upholstry for Concerto, I contacted 3 marine upholsterers for a quote and some samples of blue fabrics which had a rubberised backing. The fabric I liked best was a Chenille fabric that I found was used for chairs in old peoples homes. So much for a "marine" fabric. At the time all 3 upholsterers quoted from £2500 dependant on the fabric. Well I found local guy who would supply new foam and would do the making up, I just had to buy the fabric. Found a remnant supplier on eBay for the fabric. Total was under £800 for everything. The photo was taken 6 years after the upholstry was fitted.

View attachment 147576
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Concerto,
The fabric looks very nice and the chap who did this for you did a wonderful job indeed. very smart.
Steveeasy
 
Thanks for all the advice. ill have to order some samples. I normally use a chap at Deacons for canvas work. Hes very reasonable. Now I Travel in the opposite direction. not sure too many canvas workers are in Dunoon. Ill have to ask around. Now thats got me thinking, perhaps a nice Tartan would go with her black Hull. I think ill have to start saving for that Quickly!!.
Steveeasy
 
Mine were done by sewtrim.co.uk using a mixture of existing foam and new where needed. Well priced and excellent service. Also did the leather seats in my Morgan. Typically 3 months wait for a slot but worth it. I know your boat is the other end of the country but if you can get the cushions down south i think you will find it worth it.
 
Tranona said:
Mine were done by sewtrim.co.uk using a mixture of existing foam and new where needed. Well priced and excellent service. Also did the leather seats in my Morgan. Typically 3 months wait for a slot but worth it. I know your boat is the other end of the country but if you can get the cushions down south i think you will find it worth it.
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Tranona,
Thanks for this. Ill send them an email and ask.
Many Thanks
Steveeasy
 
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