How to Make a Backrest for an Aft Bench Cushion

X-HT-200705

Powerboats have many different seating configurations and cushion styles. On our powerboat makeover project boat, a 1982 Regal Ambassador 245XL, the aft seating on the bridge deck is made up of a hinged bench cushion and an upholstered backrest cushion attached to the stern rails. This video will show you step-by-step how to re-cover the backrest cushion. Our companion video, "How to Make a Powerboat Aft Bench Cushion" (#200706XHT), will demonstrate how to create the bench seating to accompany the backrest.
Video Chapters
  • Measuring & Patterning - 0:35 min.
  • Sewing Zipper Plaque - 4:26 min.
  • Sewing Piping to Plates - 6:39 min.
  • Joining Boxing - 9:34 min.
  • Filling Out Old Foam - 19:32 min.
  • Inserting Foam with Backer Board - 22:59 min.
  • Materials List - 24:07 min.
Materials List
  • Marine Vinyl Fabric (we used Morbern™ Seabrook Stinger Bisque #105978)
  • YKK® Zipper #5 VISLON® Continuous White #28218
  • YKK® Slider #5 VISLON® White Plastic Single Non-Locking Pull #103178
  • Outdoor Thread (we used White Tex 90 Polyester #20204)
  • Prefabricated Vinyl Piping (we used Seabrook Vinyl Piping Midnight #120144)
  • Fabric Backed 1/4" Sew Foam #124306
Tool List
  • Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Handed #19104
  • Sewing Gauge Ruler #102995
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine #311502
  • 3M™ Super 77 Spray Adhesive #636
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Razor knife
  • Straight edge

How to Make a Backrest for an Aft Bench Cushion

How to Make a Backrest for an Aft Bench Cushion Video 2

Our backrest cushion is attached to the boat’s stern rail via screws, with the backside visible around the railing. To maintain an appealing look, the backer board that supports this cushion is hidden inside a vinyl cushion cover. We reused this backer board and foam, sewing a new cover that matches our updated upholstery.

This backrest cushion cover is essentially a box cushion with a long zipper along the bottom boxing. To refresh the old foam, we added a layer of 1/4" Polyurethane Foam with Fabric Backing to the foam and board using a spray adhesive.

In this video, you will learn how to:

  • Pattern the backrest cover
  • Add piping
  • Sew a zipper plaque
  • Assemble the cushion
  • Fill out the foam

 

This project is part of our Regal Ambassador 245XL Powerboat Makeover series.

!