How to Reupholster a Pontoon Steering Console
Details
Details
The Sailrite® crew was recently invited to collaborate with other local businesses to refurbish a pontoon boat for a nearby summer camp, Camp Whitley. Our team was tasked with installing new woven vinyl flooring, upholstering the steering console and building a new bimini frame, top and bimini boot. Follow the complete makeover process along with how-to videos of each step, in our Camp Whitley Pontoon Boat Series.
After installing Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl™ Flooring on the deck of the Camp Whitley Project Pontoon Boat, the Sailrite team turned their attention to the boat’s steering console. After we removed the old, cracked vinyl from the original steering console, we noticed that there was quite a bit of water damage at the base of the console. One of our local partners, Morsches Builders Mart along with volunteer John Roy, built a new steering console for the pontoon with fresh marine plywood. If your console is still in good shape, however, you could reupholster the existing console base to give it a fresh, new look.
For this pontoon’s steering console we chose to use Morbern® Seabrook Marine Vinyl. We chose the closest color match to the newly donated seats from Brunswick of Fort Wayne—Stinger Bisque (#105978). We also added a contrast piping to the edges of the console for a bit of style. The vinyl cover was carefully patterned and sewn together to slip over the base. Cutouts were made later to accommodate the helm, throttle and cup holders.
To create soft edges, a layer of 1/4” Polyurethane Foam with Fabric Backing was glued to the entire console. Also underneath the fabric is a layer of Silk Film, which helps the cover be pulled over the console and adds an added layer of moisture protection.
In the complete how to video, you’ll also learn how to cut a relief slit in the cover to fit it over the console and how to use the BeauClip panel mounting system to install an access panel.