How to Make a Powerboat Aft Bench Cushion

X-HT-200706

Does your powerboat have hinged bench cushions with hidden storage underneath? This is a pretty common arrangement and our powerboat makeover project boat is no exception. The aft seating on the bridge deck on this 1982 Regal Ambassador 245XL is made up of a hinged bench cushion with storage underneath and an upholstered backrest that is attached to the stern rail. Watch our tutorial video to see how we reupholstered our aft bench seat.
Video Chapters:
  • Removing Old Upholstered Fabric – 0:54 min.
  • Patterning & Cutting New Foam – 3:44 min.
  • Patterning Top Plate Sections – 6:00 min.
  • Sewing French Seam – 11:01 min.
  • Sewing Channeling Fabric – 15:03 min.
  • Sewing Prefabricated Piping – 20:35 min.
  • Making & Sewing Boxing – 23:38 min.
  • Preparing the Backer Board & Installing the Cover – 30:14 min.
  • Hiding Staples – 36:16 min.
  • Materials List – 38:54 min.
Materials List:
  • Cushion Wrap Silk Film – #103933
  • CushionRite® Premium Antimicrobial Foam (Firm) –  #124236
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material – #103134 (optional; for decorative patterning only)
  • Marine Vinyl Fabric – (we used Morbern™ Seabrook Stinger Bisque #105978, Midnight #105987)
  • Marine Vinyl Channeling Fabric – (we used EverSoft™ Pebble Off White 54" Vinyl Channeling Fabric, #122404)
  • Polyester Grosgrain Ribbon Webbing – (we used Tan, #PLGGTA)
  • Seamstick 1/4" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery – #104167
  • Morbern™ Seabrook Vinyl Welting/Piping – (we used Midnight #120144)
  • Phifertex® Standard Vinyl Mesh 54" Fabric – (we used White, #393111)
  • Cushion Underlining Fabric (if not using vinyl mesh)
  • 21 Gauge 1/2" (12mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) – #8012SS
  • Fabric Backed Sew Foam – #124306
  • Morbern™ Seabrook Hidem Gimp – (we used Lite Glacier #120132)
  • Masking Tape
Tool List:
  • Tack & Staple Remover – #104319
  • 3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive – #73211
  • Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" – #102400
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Handed – #19104
  • Sewing Gauge Ruler 6" – #102995
  • Suisei Magnetic Sewing Guide – #102983
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine – #311502
  • Sailrite® Stainless Steel Thread Nippers – #125831
  • Sailrite® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun – #121411
  • Sailrite® Blade Foam Saw V2 with Carrying Case – #121244
  • Drill & Drill Bits, Marker, Pencil, Tape Measure

How to Re-Cover a Powerboat Aft Bench Cushion

We re-covered all the seating on the boat’s bridge deck, and in this video, we’ll show you how to re-cover the aft bench cushion. The process for re-covering the backrest can be seen in a companion video.

How to Make a Powerboat Aft Bench Cushion Video 2

This bench cushion consists of foam and a vinyl cover stapled to a backer board. Hinges are installed into the board, allowing the seat to tip back for storage access. To re-cover the cushion, we removed the old fabric and foam, cut new foam, and sewed a decorative top. The vinyl cushion cover was designed to match the color scheme we chose for all the deck seating: Morbern™ channeling fabric in Lite Glacier, and traditional Morbern vinyl in Stinger Bisque and Midnight.

To create a clean appearance, we also decided to upholster the underside of the seat, since you can see it when the storage compartment is opened. For this we used Phifertex® Mesh, which gives a clean appearance and allows breathability. To hide the staples used in upholstering the seat top, we installed hidem gimp trim where the vinyl met the mesh.

In this video, you will learn how to:

  • Pattern, cut, and glue foam
  • Sew a decorative top plate
  • Add piping
  • Assemble the vinyl cover
  • Staple the cover in place
  • Hide the staples

 

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

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