Where can I buy boat upholstry?

[nhmaina]

For some reason I can't find in the forums that talk about buying upholstry. I have these upholstered pads running down the side of my boat that have small cuts in them due to old age. I think they are simple enough that I could simply replace the upholstry and staple it on to the plywood backing myself. However, where do I buy this boat upholstry? I don't think my local fabric shop has this stuff. I look on iboats pars and accessories, but can't find it there either. Sure I am missing something simple.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

I have had luck in the past finding marine grade vinyl at Jo-Ann fabrics.

 

[ghamby]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

http://www.sunbrella.com/
Try this site.

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

I too have purchased Marine vinyl from Jo anns fabrics. I have covered two seat backs and one seat bottom. Am in the process of covering one side panel. It seems like it is pretty sturdy stuff and easy enough to sew using a standard machine. If you do have to sew any corners or anything use a number 16 needle and heavy thread. You should use thread that is polyester coated so that it resists UV and is weather resistant.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

Ayuh,... I like these guys myself....

 

[scca vette]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

I ended up buying all the material and piping from Veada. http://veada.com/

They had the largest selection of colors and sent me free samples so I could match up what I wanted. I did the exact same thing that you are wanting to do. Here is a before and after photo of the ones I did.

Old Side Panel!

New side panel!

 

[nhmaina]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

Nice job!! I assume you had to sew the different colors together then staple them to the plywood backing. Did you use a normal sewing machine? And, any hints for someone who doesn't sew?

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

If your going to do your panels in a mono color scheme you could just wrap the panel in vinyl and staple it on the back. To help with corners and wrinkles heat the vinyl slightly with a heat gun or blow dryer making the vinyl more plyable. Once you start taking the old vinyl off the panels you will see how easy it will be to replace. Take pics before during and after to aid in the job. Good luck.

 

[bigrockets]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

Take a look on ebay. There are manufacturers liquidating lots of boat upholstery materials.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

Have been sitting here looking at ebay this evening and noticed there is a company called Great Lakes Skipper, that sells a whole bunch of upholstery stuff,

welting, vinyl, threads, etc.

I am no way affiliated, was just looking for stuff for my boat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMA...2559037QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[109jb]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

Look at the Upholstery link in my thread below for an alternate way to do the vinyl that requires no sewing.

 

[joza]

Re: Where can I buy boat upholstry?

If you have a Joanne's near you, check out the special order vinyl, it's in with the rest of the special or materials, they have a ton. Find what you like then go home and order it online from them. That's what we did. Our local Joanne's had a handful of marine vinyls at the store, but we wanted something different, not the ordinary, red, black, white, brown. We used thread specifically for vinyl, a heavy duty needle and an old Kenmore machine. Go slow and steady. Something we also discovered, on the first piece that we sewed, we cut it exactly to the size we needed it. Although it worked, it didn't get that tight look. So we took it apart and recut it to be maybe a 1/4 smaller, then resewed. That was the ticket.