New upholstery on cabin cushions

[imjus4u2nv]

Last year a squirrel decided to make a nest in the cabin cushion and destroyed a piece of it.
Given the use of the cabin cushions (never sit or sleep down there) and the expense, I am going to try and repair cheap by myself (I think this is going to be a painful project)

Was going to use this stuff: ottertex canvas fabric waterproof 600 denier (already ordered, more then enough for entire interior, 5 yards for 35 bucks.)
Original material feels more like a bed sheet (but maybe just worn down since so old).
Anyone know what type of material they use on the newer boats/adventures? Concerned about mold mildew, but cabin stay dry except for occasional window left open.
Anyone tackle this before? Also looking more specifically for info on replacing the fabric around the interior shelf, as not sure how replace that or remove it to reupholster.

 

[DennisG01]

I had my cushions redone for me by a local upholsterer, along with new foam (a little thicker and denser in the anticipation of sometimes sleeping onboard). I paid $600, including the filler cushion for the middle of the v-berth - which I had to make the template for since the boat didn't have it when I bought it. You mentioned doing it yourself, but I just wanted to throw that out there as I thought the price was very reasonable for a brand new (better than original) set.

Back on point - I wanted something easy to maintain, as well. I had my upholsterer use vinyl - a nice looking gray, with dark blue piping. For the bottom, a perforated vinyl (mesh) was used.

I'm not familiar with the interior shelf fabric - my shelf simply has a strip of teak to keep things from falling off. Do you have a picture of it? I've done a lot of this stuff, but I don't know what yours looks like. In the meantime... a couple common ways to attach a shelf/backrest: Screws hidden in between pleats or L-brackets behind the shelf or underneath

 

[Fishtales]

You could have a local curtain/cushion maker do them for you as well as they are inside if you are not keen on using a sewing machine.

 

[imjus4u2nv]

You could have a local curtain/cushion maker do them for you as well as they are inside if you are not keen on using a sewing machine.

For my use, the cost/600 is too much for me to bear. Decided to buy a cheap sewing machine (hoping wife pitties me and does the job for me) and materials (about 35 bucks for 5 yards of 600 Denier waterproof marine fabric, 25 bucks for silk film plastic and 6 bucks for a ton of UV thread) and will see how it goes. Will use upholstery on the bottom too as i got good price on frabric and dont want to spend for the white vinyl.
my approach is to make them water proof and will wrap foam in plastic. Good thing for winter, didn't think you ever catch me behind a sewing machine lol. Will post some pics after I have some progress.
I plan to arrange the cushions differently then then the old setup (have all the foam from old cushions so just need to cut and glue) - picture below shows new shape. (Pictures below are from online, will get to my boat next week to look into the interior piece that goes around the shelf).

 

[imjus4u2nv]

Update on cushion project. A couple hours of preparing the fabric and behind the sewing machine (super easy) and one cushion done - still need to sew shut the spot where cushions went in (I chose not to use zippers because of expense and not necessary).
As you can see I have cut the foam to rearrange the pillow (from two pillows to three, I will glue top two pieces together and make one cushion). Also a picture of the squirrel/mouse damage I had to sit cut and replace with new foam - cant even tell (yet) that I patched foam in.

 

[imjus4u2nv]

Just about done, just need to work on the bolster/shelf area.
Middle cushion isn't finished yet, still need to finish the bottom which should raise it up a little - may redo it as it fits a little loose (old one snugged into the other cushions and held itself there, I must have did the cushion just little too tight.
Getting bolsters out was a bear, a few screws (located between the two cushions - dead center on the board) were visible, while a bunch others were covered by the old fabric. I took the muscle approach and popped them off, as I dodmt want to cut up the foam/cushion material to get to the screws. These will be challenging because need a way to screw the boards on through the fabric/front side.

Fyi- to get cushions into the new cushion covers I used silk film (like a thin plastic dropcloth) then a vacuum to basically vacuum seal the foam (shrinking down the foam small) and slide into the cover. Turn vacuum off and it goes back to normal size and fills in the cushion nicely.

 

[leeccoll]

That looks really nice!

 

[DennisG01]

That's looking good... although I think I would have thrown that old piece of foam away! You know, that piece that is only good on Sundays

That's odd about those screws. Everything should be easily removable - like you said, in between the pleats. Unless there are things like L-brackets being used either behind the top edge or the bottom edge. Or through-bolts... but then you should be able to access the nuts behind either the top or bottom edge. Those backrests are assembled off the boat and then installed as a unit so there wouldn't be any screws (bolts are different) installed before stapling the fabric on.

That backrest is not that big - I would think screws through the center only should suffice - or a couple l-brackets on the back side. You could also do vertical pleats, fyi.

 

[imjus4u2nv]

Thanks guys. I got rid of the foam in the picture with the damage and patched in a piece of foam the sale size.
After looking at the bolsters, it does seem the screws were in the middle of the bolster (between the two cushions), the screw must have went through the fabric and was tough to see/get to.

 

[DennisG01]

the screw must have went through the fabric and was tough to see/get to.

Yup. Very common. Once the scew is screwed in, over time the fabric pops back over the scerw head. The trick is to look for the small slit in the fabric and/or simply "feel" for the screw head. No biggie.

 

[imjus4u2nv]

Just need to attach in the cabin bolsters (closed all the old holes with epoxy and will drill new holes), but here is the final mock up. Bolster fabric has some wrinkles from the bend (knew this would happen and not be perfect, but good enough for me.
Happy with the results, next need to clean those sidewall and ceiling carpets (for spring).

 

[oliver305]

I use vinyl material, marine vinyl upholstery fabric protects these boat parts from corrosion and deterioration caused by the ever-changing weather and other marine elements. These types of fabric are mold and mildew resistant. You can also add antimicrobial chemicals on the fabrics without the fear of damaging them.

 

[Fishtales]

For my use, the cost/600 is too much for me to bear. Decided to buy a cheap sewing machine (hoping wife pitties me and does the job for me) and materials (about 35 bucks for 5 yards of 600 Denier waterproof marine fabric, 25 bucks for silk film plastic and 6 bucks for a ton of UV thread) and will see how it goes. Will use upholstery on the bottom too as i got good price on frabric and dont want to spend for the white vinyl.
my approach is to make them water proof and will wrap foam in plastic. Good thing for winter, didn't think you ever catch me behind a sewing machine lol. Will post some pics after I have some progress.
I plan to arrange the cushions differently then then the old setup (have all the foam from old cushions so just need to cut and glue) - picture below shows new shape. (Pictures below are from online, will get to my boat next week to look into the interior piece that goes around the shelf).

I'm doing this on the cockpit bolsters, aft seat and companion seat now. If you use a walking foot on the machine you should be ok.

 

[Fishtales]

Update on cushion project. A couple hours of preparing the fabric and behind the sewing machine (super easy) and one cushion done - still need to sew shut the spot where cushions went in (I chose not to use zippers because of expense and not necessary).
As you can see I have cut the foam to rearrange the pillow (from two pillows to three, I will glue top two pieces together and make one cushion). Also a picture of the squirrel/mouse damage I had to sit cut and replace with new foam - cant even tell (yet) that I patched foam in.

Looks very good!

 

[Fishtales]

Just need to attach in the cabin bolsters (closed all the old holes with epoxy and will drill new holes), but here is the final mock up. Bolster fabric has some wrinkles from the bend (knew this would happen and not be perfect, but good enough for me.
Happy with the results, next need to clean those sidewall and ceiling carpets (for spring).

Very nice. Now you'll have to get some vinyl to replace that monkey fur above!!

 

[garyroe]

I am using Bry-Tech Marine1 Marine Vinyl. I don't have other rolls of Vinyl to compare to but this seems like a good value. The material is thick and durable. The only complaint I could have is the smell. Out of the roll it smells like modeling glue. If you are using it outdoors, then it should not be a problem. But indoors, the smell will be noticeable.

 

[jillyrubyjane]

Marine vinyl fabric of Vvivid, I’m in the process of reupholstering my 12 year old boat. This vinyl looks great and seems to be made of a high quality material. It is easy to work with when you get used to it. I think this vinyl should hold up good for many years in a marine environment.

 

[PDX-Boats]

Pictures! Would love to see what you did

 

[Moretti]

I'd personally change out the foam just to save a job later. Guess it depends on the current condition though. If you are looking, here's where I get my upholstery foam.

 

[garyroe]

I want to find a marine upholstery fabric. Ordered some Leader seats for the boat and had a hard tim finding matching red vinyl but Bry-Tech Marine1 White Upholstery Fabric matched perfectly. Have yet to find any blemishes in the 5 yards and order was as expected through Prime.