How much does it cost to reupholster a boat?

Most single boat seats cost $120–$350 to re-cover, helm and captain's chairs run $250–$550, and a full interior is typically $1,500–$4,000 for a center console or bay boat and $2,200–$5,500 for a pontoon. Exact pricing depends on vinyl grade, foam condition, and whether any seat bases need rot repair.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace boat upholstery?

Repair is almost always cheaper when the damage is limited to a seam, a small tear, or one panel — often under $150. Once vinyl is UV-chalked, cracked in multiple places, or the foam is holding water, a full re-cover costs less over time than repeated patch work.

How much does pontoon boat upholstery cost?

A full pontoon interior restoration typically runs $2,200–$5,500 in the Upstate SC area. That covers loungers, corner and bench seating, the helm chair, and side panels, including new foam and any plywood base replacement needed.

How long does boat upholstery restoration take?

Individual cushions are usually 3–7 days. Helm chairs take about a week. A full interior generally takes 2–4 weeks depending on parts availability and how much substrate repair is involved.

How long should new marine upholstery last?

Quality marine vinyl installed over closed-cell foam and a sound base lasts 7–12 years when the boat is covered and cleaned regularly. Uncovered boats in full South Carolina sun tend to show UV damage in 4–6 years.

Do you need my boat, or just the seats?

For most cushion and seat work, you can drop off the pieces and keep using the boat. Side panels, console pads, and full interiors are patterned on the boat, so we schedule the boat in for those.

Restored pontoon boat interior with light gray and blue custom marine upholstery

Boat Upholstery Restoration Cost Guide

Real-world price ranges for re-covering boat seats, cushions, helm chairs, and full interiors in the Upstate South Carolina area — plus what actually drives the cost up or down.

Typical restoration prices

Ranges below reflect custom, made-to-order work using marine-grade vinyl, closed-cell foam, and UV-stable thread. Every boat is quoted after we see photos or the pieces themselves.

Work	Typical range	Notes
Single seat cushion re-cover	$120 – $250	New marine vinyl over existing foam; includes pattern, sew, and staple-back install.
Cushion re-cover + new foam	$180 – $350	Closed-cell marine foam replacement when the original is compressed or waterlogged.
Helm / captain's chair	$250 – $550	Bolsters, arm pads, and contoured panels take more patterning and stitch time.
Bench seat or jump seat	$250 – $450	Includes hinge lids, hardware transfer, and drainage-friendly backing board.
Side panels / gunwale pads (per side)	$200 – $500	Priced by run length and whether new backing board is required.
Pontoon interior (full)	$2,200 – $5,500	All furniture re-covered — loungers, corner seats, helm chair, and panels.
Center console / bay boat (full)	$1,500 – $4,000	Leaning post, coffin box, bow cushions, and console pads as a package.
Rot repair / plywood substrate	$75 – $200 per seat base	Marine plywood or composite board replacement under soft or crumbling bases.

What moves the price

Vinyl grade — standard marine vinyl vs. premium UV/mildew-resistant lines with longer warranties.
Foam condition — reusing sound foam is cheaper than full closed-cell replacement.
Substrate rot — soft plywood bases must be replaced before new vinyl goes on.
Stitch pattern — plain panels cost less than diamond stitch, piping, or contrast French seams.
Custom details — logos, boat names, multi-color layouts, and snaps.
Piece count — doing the whole interior at once lowers the per-seat price versus one-offs.

How to keep the cost down

Fix small tears early — a $40 patch beats a $250 re-cover once water reaches the foam.
Re-cover the whole interior at one time so colors and vinyl lots match exactly.
Keep sound foam. We only replace what is compressed, moldy, or holding water.
Rinse salt off and use a marine-safe cleaner; harsh chemicals shorten vinyl life.
Cover the boat between trips — UV is the number one killer of marine upholstery.

Common questions

How much does it cost to reupholster a boat?: Most single boat seats cost $120–$350 to re-cover, helm and captain's chairs run $250–$550, and a full interior is typically $1,500–$4,000 for a center console or bay boat and $2,200–$5,500 for a pontoon. Exact pricing depends on vinyl grade, foam condition, and whether any seat bases need rot repair.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace boat upholstery?: Repair is almost always cheaper when the damage is limited to a seam, a small tear, or one panel — often under $150. Once vinyl is UV-chalked, cracked in multiple places, or the foam is holding water, a full re-cover costs less over time than repeated patch work.
How much does pontoon boat upholstery cost?: A full pontoon interior restoration typically runs $2,200–$5,500 in the Upstate SC area. That covers loungers, corner and bench seating, the helm chair, and side panels, including new foam and any plywood base replacement needed.
How long does boat upholstery restoration take?: Individual cushions are usually 3–7 days. Helm chairs take about a week. A full interior generally takes 2–4 weeks depending on parts availability and how much substrate repair is involved.
How long should new marine upholstery last?: Quality marine vinyl installed over closed-cell foam and a sound base lasts 7–12 years when the boat is covered and cleaned regularly. Uncovered boats in full South Carolina sun tend to show UV damage in 4–6 years.
Do you need my boat, or just the seats?: For most cushion and seat work, you can drop off the pieces and keep using the boat. Side panels, console pads, and full interiors are patterned on the boat, so we schedule the boat in for those.

Scope, inspection, and timing

When is partial repair the more practical choice?

Partial repair makes sense while the damage is contained. If one seam has opened, a single panel is torn, or one cushion base has gone soft, Aqua Marine Customs replaces just that piece and leaves the sound vinyl alone. Rot repair on a seat base runs $75–$200 per base, which is far less than re-covering an interior that still has years left.

Why does an inspection change the price?

The ranges in this guide are estimates, not fixed bids. What the pieces look like in person decides the total: whether the foam can be reused, whether the plywood base is still solid, how many panels have to be re-patterned, and which stitch pattern the boat already has. Aqua Marine Customs confirms pricing after seeing the seats or the boat.

Does doing the whole interior at once save money?

Usually, yes. Re-covering an entire interior in one project lowers the per-seat price compared with one-off jobs, and every piece comes from the same vinyl lot so the colors match. A full pontoon interior typically runs $2,200–$5,500, and a center console or bay boat $1,500–$4,000, versus $120–$350 for a single cushion.

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026 by Aqua Marine Customs LLC

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