Boat Covers, Upholstery and restoration

While UV inhibitors are built into modern exterior fabrics, the sun’s energy still takes its toll. I often tell people if the boat is in the direct sunlight all summer long, year after year, even the best fabrics really start to break down after 10 years or so.

Seat vinyl is the same, so it’s best to protect it under a cover. Some moisture is okay, but too much and any plywood bases on the seats will soak it up and begin to rot. Black mould is another issue. When too much water is trapped under the cover, so it’s best to choose a fabric that breaths and allows moisture to pass through. Some black mould to wipe off in the spring is normal, but too much and it will grow inside the seat vinyl and appear as an unsightly shadow on the surfaces. Wet carpets also need consideration, because many of these mould problems exist there as well.

In replacing tops and seat vinyl, there are usually design improvements to consider first. Many old boat tops didn’t do a great job at the windshield and let too much water in. Our covers overlap at the windshield so that rainwater keeps moving off the hull. If the carpet is dry, green or black mould can’t get started. Restoring upholstery properly can be very tricky, and is time consuming, but the rewards of a job well done are immediately noticed and striking, transforming an old boat into a gem for years to come.