How to Upholster a Boat Engine Cover

SKU: X-HT-300649
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Details

Details

In today’s installment of our Speedboat Makeover Series, we’re reupholstering the engine cover of this used Malibu speedboat. You’ll learn a lot of useful upholstery techniques in this tutorial, including how to sew a French seam and how to upholster around tricky shapes and objects like cup holders. Let’s get started on this boat engine cover upholstery project.

The first step of reupholstering a boat engine cover is to remove the old vinyl to expose the foam and fiberglass underneath. Once the old vinyl is removed, you need to inspect your foam. If your foam looks like it’s in good shape you can reuse it, but if it looks compromised we recommend replacing it with new Sew Foam from Sailrite.

We’re using EverSoft™ vinyl upholstery fabric for our Speedboat Makeover Series. We chose EverSoft for its high abrasion and UV resistance, mold/mildew resistance and for its unique four-way stretch properties. It’s very easy to contour and shape during upholstery work, stapling and tacking, which makes it a great choice for upholstery projects that have a lot of curves and shaping.

During this DIY boat upholstery tutorial, you’ll learn valuable DIY tips and techniques that you’ll be able to apply toward future upholstery projects, including:

  • How to sew a French seam.
  • How to replace the sew foam.
  • How to install a boat blanket skirt.
  • How to upholster the cup holders.
  • And more.

Watch the video below and get started on this speedboat engine cover upholstery DIY.

Don't miss the other how-to videos in our Speedboat Makeover Series. We're redoing the interior of a used Malibu speedboat and making it look brand-new with fresh upholstery, hull liner material, flooring and more. Tune in for the entire DIY series for the incredible before-and-after transformation!

Check out all the video tutorials in our Speedboat Makeover Series.

And if you have a project idea for us, be sure to drop a suggestion in the comments section below. We're always looking for new DIYs to share with our customers to help them achieve their DIY dreams!

Video Chapters:

  • Intro – 0:00 min.
  • Removing Old Cover - 0:49 min.
  • Gluing New Sew Foam - 4:46 min.
  • Patterning for New Fabric - 11:59 min.
  • Cutting & Sewing Fabric Panels - 20:46 min.
  • Stapling New Fabric Cover - 31:36 min.
  • Patterning & Sewing Skirt - 41:34 min.
  • Stapling Boat Blanket Skirt - 51:19 min.
  • Upholstering Cup Holder - 58:47 min.
  • Creating Lift Strap - 1:11:26 min.
  • Materials & Tools List - 1:13:45 min.

Materials List:

  • Fabric Backed Sew Foam 58" #124306
  • 3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz. #73211
  • 3M™ Super 77™ Spray Adhesive Low VOC 18 oz. #636100
  • Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" #103134
  • EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Teak 54" Vinyl Fabric #122218
  • EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Black 54" Vinyl Fabric #122217
  • Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (36 yds.) #122064
  • Polyester Carpet Binding Beige 1-1/4" #120236
  • Cushion Wrap Silk Film 54" #103933
  • 21 Gauge 1/2" (12mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) #8012SS
  • 21 Gauge 3/8" (10mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) #8010SS
  • Boat Blanket Black 72" Fabric #100113
  • Shelter-Rite® Grey 61" Fabric #112015
  • McLube™ Sailkote 8 oz. #120679

Tools List:

  • Staple Lifter #120037
  • Tape Measure 120" #102986
  • Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" #101017
  • Sailrite® Deluxe Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V) #400600
  • Deluxe 5-1/2" Magnetic Sewing Guide - SKU: 103597
  • Left Edge Guide Foot Set 4mm for Sailrite® Fabricator® #400111
  • Sailrite® Long Nose Upholstery Staple Gun #121411
  • Professional Stainless Steel 10" Scissors #123615
  • Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" #102400
  • Grease Marking Pencil Yellow #111002
  • Chalk Pen White #123131
  • Sailrite® Drill Hole Cutter Set #121825
  • Marker, Box Cutter, Electric Kitchen Knife, Tape Measure, Pliers, Notching Tool, Laser Level