Boat upholstery costs roughly €60 to €140 per cockpit cushion and €90 to €220 per sunpad in labour alone. Remaking the full cockpit set on a 7 to 10 m boat comes to €380 to €980, and a custom bimini canvas, anchor awning or cover to €260 to €680. With new fabric and foam, renewing all the exterior upholstery usually costs €1,000 to €2,500.
These are VAT-inclusive rates published in 2026 by marine upholsterers and chandleries in Spain. Every upholsterer quotes by the number of pieces, their shape and the fabric chosen, so use them to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
Marine upholstery prices in 2026: summary
The table above separates labour per piece, canvas work and fabrics. To read it:
- Labour is most of the price for cushions and sunpads: measuring, patterning, cutting and sewing.
- Fabric and foam come on top. Outdoor marine fabric costs €25 to €55 a metre, depending on whether it's vinyl, acrylic or mesh.
- Biminis and awnings can be off the shelf, to fit yourself, or custom, patterned on board.
Some real examples:
- A Barcelona upholsterer publishes 2026 rates of €60 to €140 per seat cushion, €70 to €150 per backrest, €120 to €260 for a helm seat and €90 to €220 per sunpad. A full cockpit set costs €380 to €980.
- The same upholsterer charges €260 to €680 for a bimini canvas, anchor awning or cover, with lead times of 7 to 15 days. Cushions take 5 to 12 days.
- The fabrics used range from €25 to €55 a metre for marine vinyl or acrylic, and €20 to €45 for technical olefin and 3D mesh.
- From online chandleries, an off-the-shelf three-bow bimini with aluminium tubes costs €70 to €100, a stainless one €300 to €350, and a high-end one with acrylic canvas about €1,100.
What the price includes
Patterning on board
For shaped cushions and custom canvas, the upholsterer has to come to the boat to measure or make a template. Some include it in the price; others charge travel, especially if the boat is far from the workshop.
Fabrics
- Marine vinyl: waterproof, easy to clean and the most common for cushions. Gets hot in the sun.
- Solution-dyed acrylic: cooler and breathable, typical for awnings, biminis and covers. It lasts years in the sun without fading.
- 3D mesh: lets water through and dries straight away. Increasingly used for sunpads.
Foam
Foam is what makes a cushion comfortable rather than a sponge. Outdoors, use high-resilience or open-cell foam: 6 to 8 cm for seats, 4 to 6 cm for backrests and 6 to 10 cm for sunpads.
Fittings and frame
On biminis and awnings, the bow frame, deck fittings and straps can cost as much as the canvas. Stainless steel lasts much longer than aluminium at sea.
What changes the price
Number and shape of pieces
A rectangular cushion is quick to make. One with curves, piping, buttons or decorative stitching takes much more work.
Fabric quality
Branded fabrics with anti-mildew and UV treatment cost twice as much as basic ones, but last years longer in the sun.
Time of year
In spring marine upholsterers are in high demand and lead times stretch. In autumn and winter it's easier to get a slot, and sometimes a better price.
Real example: new exterior upholstery for a 7 m motorboat
Take a 7 m motorboat with cockpit cushions, a helm seat, a bow sunpad and a worn bimini:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cockpit set with helm seat (labour) | €500 – 900 |
| Two-piece bow sunpad (labour) | €180 – 440 |
| New fabric and foam | €300 – 600 |
| Custom bimini canvas on the existing frame | €260 – 680 |
| Total | €1,240 – 2,620 |
If the bimini frame is in good shape, reusing it saves a lot. If you only replace the canvas and not the cushions, the job drops to a few hundred euros.
How to save without cutting corners
- Reuse the foam if it's in good shape, and replace only the fabric.
- Reuse the bimini frame and replace only the canvas.
- Order in autumn or winter, when upholsterers are less busy.
- Protect new upholstery with covers or store it below deck when you're not using the boat: it's what extends its life most.
- Don't skimp on fabric. Cheap fabric fades and cracks in two or three seasons, and you pay the labour all over again.
How to choose a marine upholsterer
Ask before you order:
- Have you worked on boats like mine? Can I see photos of your work?
- Which fabric and foam do you suggest, and why?
- Does the price include measuring on board and fitting?
- Do you use UV-resistant thread?
- How long will it take?
Warning signs: a fixed quote without seeing the boat, indoor upholstery fabric for outdoor use, or ordinary thread instead of UV-resistant thread, which rots in the sun within a season.
On Nautify you can find marine upholsterers in Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and other areas, and canvas and awning makers, and contact them directly.
Conclusion
Renewing the exterior upholstery of a 7 to 10 m boat costs €1,000 to €2,500 with new fabric and foam, and a custom bimini or awning €260 to €680 in labour. The number of pieces and the quality of the fabric weigh most. Order in winter, choose marine fabrics with UV protection and store the cushions when you're not using the boat.
