Published by Upholstery World Auckland · Reading time: 6 minutes
For boat upholstery at Westhaven, we come to the berth: we have worked at Westhaven Marina before, and our mobile service covers it like the rest of Auckland. Covers, biminis and shaped seats are measured and fitted on the berth; loose squabs and cushions usually come back to our Auckland workshop and are returned finished. Most repairs take about three working days from quote acceptance, bigger jobs seven to ten, and the first step is always the same: send us photos.
Westhaven, on the western edge of the CBD in St Marys Bay, is home to around 1,800 recreational boats. That is a lot of boats sitting on berths in full sun and salt air for most of the year. This page explains how a Westhaven job actually runs, what we can do on the boat, and what has to come away.
What boat upholstery can be done on the berth at Westhaven?
Anything that has to be measured, patterned or fitted to the boat itself is done on the berth. That includes:
- Measuring for covers and biminis. These are made to your boat’s frame and fittings, so they start with a visit.
- Patterning shaped squabs. Curved cockpit seating, wrap-around benches and anything that fits around a moulding needs a pattern taken in place.
- Helm seats and fixed upholstery. Seats that are bolted down, or would be awkward to remove, can often be worked on where they are.
- Final fitting. New covers, biminis and squabs are fitted on the boat so everything sits, fastens and closes properly.
What comes back to the workshop?
The sewing. Marine vinyl and canvas are heavy, and stitching them properly needs industrial machines, a cutting table and dry space — none of which fit on a berth. Loose squabs, cushions, bolsters, berth cushions and backrests usually come off the boat, back to the workshop, and return finished.
| Item | On the berth | In the workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Loose squabs and cushions | Collected and refitted | Repaired, recovered or rebuilt |
| Shaped cockpit seating | Patterned and fitted | Cut and sewn |
| Helm seats and fixed upholstery | Often worked on in place | If practical to remove |
| Boat covers and biminis | Measured and fitted | Made up |
If you would rather take the squabs off and drop them in yourself, that works too.
How does a Westhaven boat upholstery job run?
- Photos. Send a wide shot of each seat or cover, a close-up of the worst area, and the underside if you can reach it. Tell us the boat type and which pieces you want done.
- Quote. We come back with a price and an honest view on repair versus recover. Most repairs and recovers can be priced from photos.
- Measure or pickup. For covers, biminis and shaped work we come to the berth to measure. For loose squabs we collect them, or you drop them in.
- Make. The work is done in the workshop. Most repairs take about three working days from quote acceptance; full seat sets and new covers typically take seven to ten working days, confirmed with your quote.
- Fit. We bring everything back and fit it on the boat.
Talk to us about access when you book, and we will agree with you how and when we get to the boat.
What goes wrong with upholstery on boats kept at a city marina?
A boat on a berth sits outside all the time, in sun and salt air. The common problems are the same ones we see on any boat left in the open:
- Sun on uncovered seats. UV hardens vinyl and breaks down thread, so seams open while the panels still look fine.
- Salt. Salt works into seams, zips and press studs and corrodes staples under seat bases.
- Water in the foam. Once a seam opens, rain gets into the foam and stays there. That is where mould and the musty smell come from.
- Tired covers. A cover that has gone thin, lost its fastenings or opened at the seams stops protecting everything under it.
We explain all of this in more depth in why boat seats fail and what actually lasts, and the boat seat repair guide has five checks you can do on the berth to tell whether yours need a repair or a replacement.
Do you make boat covers and biminis for Westhaven boats?
Yes. Marine canvas, biminis and full boat covers are part of what we do, and on a boat that lives on a berth a good cover is the cheapest protection you can buy for everything under it. Biminis start from $600 and boat covers from $800, excluding GST. Both are made to your boat, so they start with a visit to measure. If your existing bimini or cover is only failing at the seams, it may just need restitching — send photos and we will tell you.
What does boat upholstery at Westhaven cost?
The same as anywhere else in Auckland. Restitching a seam or patching a split starts at $80, recovering a squab over sound foam starts at $100, and a full squab or cushion replacement is $150–$200. All prices exclude GST. For helm seats, cabin work and full sets, see our boat upholstery cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come to Westhaven, or do I bring the boat to you?
We come to you. Our mobile service covers all of Auckland, and Westhaven is central. You get a fixed quote before any work starts, and it tells you whether your job needs a visit to measure or fit.
Can you repair a single torn squab, or do you only do full sets?
Single squabs are fine. The smallest marine job we take is a repair from $80, excluding GST.
Do I need to be at the boat when you visit?
Not necessarily, but we need access. We will arrange the easiest option with you when we book the visit.
When is the best time to book?
Before the summer rush. Marine work in Auckland bunches up from October to December, so the earlier you send photos, the sooner your job gets into the diary.
Get a quote for your Westhaven boat
Send photos of your squabs, seats, cover or bimini and tell us where the boat is berthed. We will come back with a fixed quote and a turnaround.
WhatsApp +64 22 634 3792 or call 022 634 3792. Quotes from photos are free, or use our contact page. We are open seven days: Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, weekends 9am to 6pm.
Read more about our marine upholstery service in Auckland, what boat upholstery costs in New Zealand, boat seat repair versus replacement, or which marine fabrics suit a NZ boat.
About the author. Viraj is the founder and lead upholsterer at Upholstery World Auckland, working across furniture, automotive, marine and commercial upholstery Auckland-wide. Send photos for a free quote on WhatsApp: +64 22 634 3792.
