The Upholstery Forum

I just got a 19 ft runabout that needs upholstery. I am thinking about doing it myself. How much material should I need as far as setting a budget?

The other question is that Sailrite has material but it seems to be in the $25 range. Is this normal or can I get the same quality for less somewhere else?

I would budget around $700 +or- in materials for full boat upholstery.

Sailrite is a good store and they have everything you could ever need but they are quite expensive. You should be able to find quality marine vinyl between $12 -$20 pretty easily.

I recommend you check out Albrights supply https://www.AlbrightsSupply.com/?Click=3957 They are my favorite online upholstery store and have free shipping. They will also send you a nice sample pack if you ask.

I also suggest looking you you local upholstery supply stores and seeing what is available locally for you.

Thank you. I will check out Allrights. I am a little intimidated about taking on the project but do see the potential of saving a lot of money. I have been watching a bunch videos to get ready

Yeah you can save a lot of money! A full boat upholstery job will typically cost $8000 and up. The Lucky Needle doesn't have any boat specific courses yet... but the information in The Apprentice Course and The Seats Course is applicable to boats. It might be worth it for you.

I have been buying marine vinyl from a local place called Joann $10 to $15 a yard just depends on what sale you catch. Sailrite has a lot of videos on marine upholstery and last I checked they also sell the cheaper marine vinyl for about the same as I buy local. Only reason I buy local is they will put in on a roll for me rather than folded and shipped

Go to Albrights and hit up the 10 yard section. Only way you will know how much material is to grab a measuring tape and have at it. You'll drop over 150 and you get free shipping, better than sailright, shop around and you will see. Don't just look at the price per yard, look at the total when you add in shipping, some places might be a buck or two cheaper per yard and then you get slammed for shipping.

@Scott D veterans is one of those companies. Reasonable prices and have a lot of odd ball stuff. But when shipping is more than the actual product cost. Yikes

tycham wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:26 am I just got a 19 ft runabout that needs upholstery. I am thinking about doing it myself. How much material should I need as far as setting a budget?

The other question is that Sailrite has material but it seems to be in the $25 range. Is this normal or can I get the same quality for less somewhere else?

What Machine are you going to use to do the upholstery? I also recommend that you use Foam Backed Marine Vinyl You'll get a much better finished look. But...You will need an Industrial machine to sew with especially if you'll be sewing Piping. Thats 4-6 layers of vinyl and a normal machine just won't do it.

I will be getting one just for this project and maybe motorcycle seats

@2ndChance ,

That was a good tip. I am not sure if I see that advertised much.