Published by Upholstery World Auckland · Reading time: 6 minutes
We do yacht and superyacht upholstery at Silo Marina, measuring and templating on board, working to the captain’s or project manager’s schedule, and matching the finishes already on the vessel. We have worked at Silo Marina before. The work covers exterior cushions and sun pads, canvas and covers, and interior cabin upholstery. Our published range for a full superyacht cabin refit is $2,500 to $4,000 excluding GST, and every job is quoted as a fixed price from photos or a site visit before work starts.
What is different about upholstery on a superyacht?
Silo Marina sits on Jellicoe Street in Wynyard Quarter and takes superyachts and other large vessels. Upholstery on boats of that size is a different kind of job from a runabout recover, for a few reasons:
- The standard of finish is higher. Straight seams, even piping, consistent stitch lengths and panels that line up across a whole saloon. Small faults that would pass on a trailer boat do not pass here.
- There is a schedule and a chain of people. Work is usually arranged with a captain, crew or project manager, often around guest trips, refit periods and other trades on board.
- The existing interior is designed. New pieces have to sit next to originals without looking new. Matching colour, texture and detail matters as much as the workmanship.
- There is more of everything. More cushions, more shapes, more areas — flybridge, aft deck, foredeck, saloon and cabins — which is why larger jobs are quoted as a whole rather than by the piece.
How do you work with captains, crew and project managers?
We fit in with how the vessel is run. In practice that means agreeing a single point of contact, confirming access times and marina arrangements in advance, and working around guest movements and other contractors on board. We give a fixed quote and a timeframe before anything starts, so it can go straight into a refit plan or maintenance schedule.
We are open seven days — Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and weekends 9am to 6pm — which helps when the window to work on board is short.
Do you measure and template on board?
Yes. On a large yacht, the reliable way to get a cushion or cover that fits properly is to template it in place rather than work from the old piece alone, especially where originals have shrunk, stretched or been replaced before. We measure and template on-site, make the work up in our Auckland workshop where the machines and materials are, and bring it back to fit.
Smaller removable items can come off the boat with us; anything that has to be fitted against the vessel is done on board.
Can you match the existing finishes and colours?
That is usually the first question on a yacht, and the honest answer is: in most cases, yes, closely. We look at the colour, the texture and grain of the vinyl or leather, the piping, the stitch pattern and the way panels are laid out, and source the closest match available. Photos taken in daylight help, and so does an unfaded area — inside a locker or under a cushion — because sun-exposed panels drift in colour.
Where a perfect match is not possible, we say so before work starts and suggest options, such as redoing a complete area so everything in view ages together.
What materials do you use on yachts?
We use premium marine-grade materials chosen for where each piece lives on the boat:
- Exterior seating and sun pads — UV-resistant marine vinyl or marine fabrics, closed-cell or quick-drain foam that does not hold water, and marine-grade thread that stands up to sunlight.
- Interior cabins and saloons — marine-suited vinyl, fabric or leather chosen to match the existing interior and stand up to the damp, salty air below deck.
- Canvas and covers — marine canvas cut to the vessel and fitted on board.
We will recommend specific materials for your vessel when we quote. For the general background on marine fabrics, see our guide to marine upholstery fabrics for NZ boats.
What can you do on a yacht?
| Area | Typical work | Where it is done |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior seating & sun pads | Recover or replace cushions, foam replacement, seam repairs | Templated on board, made in the workshop |
| Canvas & covers | Biminis, covers, restitching canvas | Measured and fitted on board |
| Interior cabins & saloon | Settees, berth cushions, backrests, full cabin refits | Measured on board, made in the workshop |
| Helm & bridge seating | Helm seats, bolsters, recovering and foam | On board or in the workshop, depending on fixings |
What does superyacht upholstery cost?
Our published range for a full cabin and bunk refit on a superyacht is $2,500 to $4,000, excluding GST, covering the berth cushions, backrests and cabin work together. Exterior cushions, canvas and other areas are quoted separately. Because no two yachts are alike, every job gets a fixed quote from photos or a site visit before work begins. The full breakdown of our marine prices is in the boat upholstery cost guide.
How long does it take?
Most marine repairs take about three working days from quote acceptance. Larger jobs typically take seven to ten working days, and we confirm the timeframe with the quote so it can be planned around the vessel’s movements. For a boat heading out for summer, it pays to get photos to us early — Auckland marine work gets busy from October to December.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work on board at Silo Marina?
Yes. We have worked at Silo Marina before. We measure, template and fit on board, and make the work up in our Auckland workshop. Access is arranged through the vessel and the marina.
Can you replace a few cushions without redoing the whole area?
Often, yes, if we can match the existing material closely. Where faded originals would make new pieces stand out, we will tell you before you commit.
Can you quote from photos?
For many jobs, yes. Send wide shots of each area, close-ups of the damage and a tape measure in shot. Larger refits and canvas work usually need a site visit to measure before the final quote.
Do you work on smaller yachts as well?
Yes. We work on everything from trailer boats and launches to yachts and superyachts, at marinas across Auckland.
Get a quote for your yacht
Send photos of the areas you want done, or arrange a site visit to the vessel, and we will come back with a fixed price and a timeframe that fits the boat’s schedule.
WhatsApp +64 22 634 3792 or call 022 634 3792, or use our contact page. Quotes from photos are free.
Read more about marine upholstery in Auckland, what boat upholstery costs in New Zealand, why boat upholstery fails and what lasts, or choosing marine upholstery fabrics.
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.
