How to Upholster Side Panels on a Powerboat

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Since we were redoing all of the upholstery on the bridge deck on our Regal Ambassador 245XL Powerboat Makeover project boat, the vinyl side panels needed to be reupholstered as well to match the new color scheme. This is an easy update that makes a big difference to the look of your boat. We're going to show you the full process so you can reupholster your own side panels, too.
Video Chapters:
  • Gluing Foam & Trimming – 0:58 min.
  • Stapling New Vinyl Fabric – 4:53 min.
  • Adding Piping Trim – 10:01 min.
  • Creating a Gusset – 11:23 min.
  • Installing Side Panels – 20:15 min.
  • Materials List – 25:52 min.
Materials List:
  • Fabric Backed 1/2" Sew Foam – #124306
  • Marine Vinyl Fabric – we used Morbern™ Seabrook Stinger Bisque, #105978
  • Vinyl Piping – we used Morbern™ Seabrook Vinyl Welting/Piping Midnight, #120144
  • Tex 90 White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. – #100079
  • BeauClip Fastener Panel Mounting System – #107156
  • 3M™ Super 77™ Spray Adhesive – #636100
  • #4 Flathead Screws in Stainless Steel or Brass (if using BeauClip)
Tool List:
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Handed – #19104
  • Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LS Walking Foot Sewing Machine – #311502
  • Scratch Awl Yellow – #235411
  • Sailrite® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun – #121411
  • 21 Gauge 1/2" (12mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) – #8012SS
  • Drill, Screwdriver, Electric Kitchen Knife, Pencil, 1/2" Drill Bit (if using BeauClip)
How to Upholster Side Panels on a Powerboat Video 2

For the side panels we’re reupholstering in the video, we used the same Morbern™ Seabrook Vinyl we used on the seats, trimmed in a contrasting Seabrook piping. It’s also popular to use channeling fabric for side panels. We did this is a couple select areas of the boat which you can see in the video. Feel free to get creative with your side panels and think up color combinations and textures that you think will accent your boat well.

We had to replace the foam on our side panels, so in the video you will see how to add new foam as well as how to upholster the boards. We also had a couple of panels with pretty extreme angles, so we carefully walk you through how to sew a gusset to fill tight inside corners.

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

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