Protect Your Investment: How to Make a Custom DIY Pontoon Helm Seat Cover

Making a custom cover might seem intimidating, but with the right techniques, it’s a project any industrious beginner can tackle. This video walks you through the entire process—from patterning directly on your seat to the final installation. By creating a dedicated cover for your helm seat, you eliminate the need to crawl under large boat covers or wrestle with heavy tent poles every time you leave the dock. It’s the perfect way to add a professional touch to your pontoon or powerboat.

One of the most valuable skills you'll learn in this video is the "patterning" phase. Eric demonstrates how to use strapping tape and SewReady™ Basting Tape to create an exact template of your seat using Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material. This ensures your cover fits snugly without being too tight to manage. You’ll also see how to handle complex curves by sewing darts and pleats, which gives the finished piece a tailored, high-end look that mimics professional upholstery.

To ensure your cover withstands sun, rain, and wind, we recommend using high-quality marine-grade materials. In this project, we utilize Top Notch® 7 fabric (or your choice of Sattler® Marine Grade fabric) for its UV protection. To keep the cover secure even in high winds, Eric shows you how to create a sleeve for SuperShok™ Shock Cord. Unlike standard bungee material, SuperShok features a solid core that won't lose its elasticity over time.

Throughout the tutorial, you’ll see the Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Sewing Machine in action. Its heavy-duty walking foot easily handles multiple layers of marine fabric and webbing. We also highlight the Sailrite® Edge® Cordless Hot Knife, which is essential for sealing fabric edges to prevent fraying—a must-have for any serious DIYer.

This video is actually part of a larger series! If you’re looking to protect your entire deck, be sure to check out our other tutorials on making covers for pedestal seats, L-shaped benches, and even full pontoon furniture sets. Ready to get started? Grab your marking chalk and your favorite Sailrite supplies, and let's get to work.