The Upholstery Forum

John, or anyone who knows the answer. What is the material called that I see on the inside of boat covers? It's almost like a cotton material with a plastic type backing, and it's fairly thin, maybe 1/16" this to 1/8' thick. It is stitched to the under side of the cover in high stress areas like the bow, the windshield and corners. It's also stitched in to areas that would have sharp items like cleats and bimini top brackets. I looked for it on youtube but most stitch in another piece of sunbrella or some plastic strip. Thank you.

I always use marine vinyl to back my high stress areas. This is also what I see done by a lot of others as well. Usually you have plenty of extra around from past jobs. I think it works better than 2 layers of canvas.
I not sure what this cotton material is that your seeing but my guess is that its probably the cheap vinyl with that cotton style backing that you see a lot of factory boat seats made out of. Just sewn on with the cotton facing out. If you post a picture I can try to help more.

You're right. I was looking over a factory boat cover, form the boat builder. They used vinyl, cheap vinyl with a cotton backing.

John wrote: ↑Fri Jul 27, 2018 6:13 pm I always use marine vinyl to back my high stress areas. This is also what I see done by a lot of others as well. Usually you have plenty of extra around from past jobs. I think it works better than 2 layers of canvas.
I not sure what this cotton material is that your seeing but my guess is that its probably the cheap vinyl with that cotton style backing that you see a lot of factory boat seats made out of. Just sewn on with the cotton facing out. If you post a picture I can try to help more.

If the project was a box-shaped cover and you wanted to reinforce the inside corners to prevent abrasion, at what point in the sewing project do you sew the reinforcement in John?

try this video it may answer some questions

I would try to plan ahead and sew all the reinforcements in while I'm still able to lay the piece flat before its completely sewn up. Thats not always possible but its really hard to sew reinforcements in to a cover that's already sewn up.

Shelter Rite tape could be what you're talking about.

John: what is the marine vinyl spec that you use - can you show a pic

@Miker For cover reinforcements I just use scrap vinyl that I have left over from jobs. Nothing special. I usually try to use white or black.