DIY Boat Upholstery Repair: What You'll Need and What Cost to Expect

DIY Boat Upholstery Repair: What You'll Need and What Cost to Expect

Just like a car, the upholstery on your boat seats can get faded, stained or ripped over time. If the seats need a refresh - or if you just want to change up the look - our DIY marine upholstery repair guide will help you get started.

Do-it-yourself boat upholstery can be a big money-saver versus a repair shop. But the exact process can vary greatly depending on the type of upholstery, the seat style and even what boat you own. For this guide, we're going to focus on the items you need and how much you can expect boat seat upholstery repair to cost.

Boat Upholstery Supplies List & Preparation

For small tears and holes, a boat seat vinyl repair kit may be all you need. Make sure to get a quality kit with mixing compounds or patch tape that will match the existing vinyl's color. These kits can cost as little as $15-20 at a marine store.

However, large tears or significant fading and staining will require replacing the vinyl. If you determine a full reupholstering is necessary, start by removing the seats and inspecting them. While new boat seat covers may be all you need, there's also the possibility that the seat foam is damaged or the structure is rotting. Doing the correct repairs now will save you from having to "Bust Out Another Thousand" later.

You should also measure the existing seat cover and foam padding to make sure you buy the correct amount of material. To measure the old cover, remove it from the seat and lay it flat on the ground.

Once these things are completed, you'll need the following DIY boat seat repair supplies:

  • Marine-grade vinyl
  • Foam padding (if necessary)
  • Screwdriver
  • Heavy-duty staple gun with stainless steel staples
  • Sewing scissors
  • Electric knife (if foam is too thick for scissors)
  • A sewing machine and supplies (for sewing method)
  • Marking pencils
  • Patience!

How Much Does DIY Boat Upholstery Cost?

While the final cost will be based on the size of each seat and how many you're repairing, there are a few guidelines to help you estimate the cost of DIY boat seat reupholstery.

  • Marine-grade vinyl typically costs around $20-22 per square yard.
  • A 72" long x 24" wide x 2" thick sheet of marine seat foam costs about $30-35 depending on density. You'll also pay more for thicker padding and less for thinner padding.
  • A heavy-duty staple gun kit is $30-50.
  • High-quality sewing shears are $15-30 while an electric foam knife can be anywhere from $30-100.
  • If you want or need to sew the vinyl, an industrial sewing machine plus supplies is between $800-1,000.

Boat Seat Maintenance

Whether you repair or replace the upholstery, make sure to give it proper care. At Bakes Marine, we offer a variety of boat upholstery cleaning products that include seat soap, vinyl conditioner, UV protectant and stain removers to help your seats last. We also do professional boat seat upholstery work at our Issaquah, Washington service department.