Published by Upholstery World Auckland · Reading time: 6 minutes
Yacht and boat upholstery in Auckland covers everything from a single restitched seam to a full cabin refit, and it starts with a free quote from photos. We work on squabs, cushions, helm seats, bolsters, berth cushions, cabin upholstery, foam, biminis and boat covers, either on the boat, at our workshop, or with seats you drop in to us. Prices run from $80 for a small repair to around $4,000 for a full superyacht cabin refit, excluding GST, and most marine repairs are done in about three working days.
This page is the overview: what the work includes, how a job runs from first photo to fitted seat, and what to expect along the way. For the full price list, see our boat upholstery cost guide.
What does yacht and boat upholstery include?
Marine upholstery is broader than most owners expect. On a typical yacht or launch it can include:
- Cockpit squabs and cushions — the seats you use every trip, and the ones that take the most sun.
- Helm seats and bolsters — usually moulded or curved, so they take more patterning than a flat squab.
- Cabin and berth cushions — saloon seating, backrests and bunk cushions below deck.
- Cabin upholstery — upholstered surfaces inside the cabin.
- Foam replacement — swapping tired or waterlogged foam for closed-cell marine foam.
- Marine canvas — biminis and full boat covers.
A runabout might only need the first two. A yacht or launch with a cabin usually needs all of them sooner or later, which is why cabin work is quoted as a whole job rather than piece by piece.
How much does yacht and boat upholstery cost?
These are the prices we publish. All exclude GST.
| Job | Typical Auckland cost (2026, excl GST) |
|---|---|
| Restitch a seam or patch a split | from $80 |
| Recover a squab over sound foam | from $100 |
| Replace a squab or cushion (new foam and cover), each | $150 – $200 |
| Helm or skipper’s seat, each | $300 – $450 |
| Full runabout seat set | from $800 |
| Cabin and bunk refit — small / mid-size / superyacht | $500–$900 / $800–$1,500 / $2,500–$4,000 |
| Bimini top | from $600 |
| Full custom boat cover | from $800 |
Where a job lands in its range depends on the grade of vinyl or fabric, whether the foam is replaced, how much shaping and stitch detail there is, and the condition of the base boards once the old covers come off. You get a fixed quote before any work starts. Anything not on this list is quoted free from photos.
How does a marine upholstery job work, step by step?
1. Send photos for a free quote
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 what boat it is and roughly how many pieces there are. That is usually enough for a price and an honest view on whether it needs a repair, a recover or a full replacement.
2. Choose materials
We use UV-resistant marine vinyl and marine-grade fabrics, closed-cell foam that won’t hold water, and marine-grade thread. On a yacht that lives on a mooring in full sun, the higher grade is usually the cheaper choice over the life of the seats; on a boat kept under cover, a standard marine grade does the job. Our guide to marine upholstery fabrics for NZ boats goes into the options.
3. Decide where the work happens
There are three ways to do it, and we will suggest whichever suits your job:
- On the boat — for anything that has to be measured or fitted in place, or a vessel that isn’t practical to strip.
- Pick-up and delivery — we collect squabs, cushions and covers, make them up in the workshop and bring them back.
- Drop-off — you bring the seats or squabs in to us.
We have worked at Orams Marine dry stack, Viaduct Harbour, Westhaven Marina, Half Moon Bay Marina and Silo Marina, and we cover all of Auckland: Central, East, West, South and the North Shore.
4. Make up and fit
Old covers are stripped and the foam and base boards checked. Where the existing covers still fit well they become the pattern; where they don’t, we pattern from the boat. New covers are made up, then fitted, with zips, press studs and fittings checked before we hand over.
How long does yacht upholstery take?
Most marine repairs take about three working days from the day you accept the quote. Larger jobs, such as a full seat set or a new cover, typically take seven to ten working days, and we confirm the timeline with your quote. That is how long the work takes once it starts, so if you want the boat ready for a particular date, get photos to us early.
We are open seven days: Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, weekends 9am–6pm, which helps if the weekend is the only time you can get to the boat.
Should I repair, recover or replace?
It comes down to the vinyl, the foam and the base. If the vinyl still flexes and only a seam has opened, it is a repair. If the vinyl is hard, chalky or flaking but the foam is firm and dry, it is a recover. If the foam squelches or the plywood base has delaminated, it is a replacement. Our boat seat repair guide has five checks you can do yourself, and why boat seats fail explains what UV, salt and moisture do to them.
How do I look after new boat upholstery?
- Rinse vinyl with fresh water after salt-water trips and let it dry before covering.
- Use a mild soap and soft brush; avoid harsh solvents and bleach, which shorten the life of vinyl and thread.
- Apply a vinyl UV protectant regularly, especially on cockpit seats that sit in full sun.
- Cover the boat or the seats when it is not in use.
- Deal with an opening seam in the same season it appears, before water reaches the foam.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work on yachts and launches as well as trailer boats?
Yes. We work on everything from runabouts and fishing boats to launches, yachts, superyachts and commercial vessels. Commercial work is handled through our commercial upholstery service.
Can you come to the marina?
Yes. We can work on site at the boat, pick up and deliver, or you can drop seats and squabs in to us. We will suggest the option that suits your job when we quote.
Do your prices include GST?
No. All our published prices, marine included, exclude GST.
Do you make biminis and boat covers?
Yes. Bimini tops start at $600 and full custom boat covers at $800, excluding GST, both made to your boat’s dimensions.
What is the smallest job you’ll take?
A seam restitch or patched split, from $80. No job is too small to send photos of.
Get a quote on your yacht or boat upholstery
Send photos of your squabs, seats, cabin cushions or canvas and we will come back with a fixed quote and honest advice on repair, recover or replace.
WhatsApp +64 22 634 3792 or call 022 634 3792. Quotes from photos are free.
Read more about marine upholstery in Auckland, what boat upholstery costs in New Zealand, boat seat repair versus replacement, or which fabrics to use on your 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.
