How to Reupholster a Pontoon Steering Console
X-HT-300169
- Removing Old Vinyl Cover – 0:55 min.
- Patterning Console – 2:47 min.
- Cutting Marine Vinyl – 6:18 min.
- Sewing Piping on Side Panels – 9:47 min.
- Sewing Piping & Fabric Pulls to Face Panels – 13:11 min.
- Joining Side & Face Panels – 18:14 min.
- Cutting Relief Slit for Fitting – 24:29 min.
- Gluing Foam to Console – 26:09 min.
- Adding Silk Film – 28:08 min.
- Fitting & Stapling Cover – 29:40 min.
- Covering Relief Slit – 37:36 min.
- Installing BeauClip for Access Panel – 38:59 min.
- Adding Hardware – 44:29 min.
- Materials List – 46:24 min.
- Dura-Skrim® Patterning Material 74" – #103134
- Marine Vinyl Fabric – we used Morbern™ Seabrook Stinger Bisque 54" Vinyl Fabric, #105978
- Premade Vinyl Welting/Piping – we used Morbern™ Seabrook Vinyl Welting / Piping Stinger Cream, #120140
- PremoBond® Tex 90 White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. – #123337
- Fabric Backed Sew Foam 58", 1/4" thickness – #124306
- Cushion Wrap Silk Film 54" – #103933
- 21 Gauge 1/2" (12mm) Staples 10,000/Box (Stainless Steel) – #8012SS
- Hidem Gimp – we used Morbern™ Seabrook Hidem Gimp Stinger Bisque, #120212
- BeauClip Fastener Panel Mounting System – #107156
- Screw Flat Head 18‑8 Stainless Steel #4 x 3/8" – #120462
- Wood Screws
- Gingher® 8" Scissors – Right Handed #19104 or Left Handed #19105
- Sailrite® Clear Acrylic Ruler 6" x 24" – #102400
- Tape Measure 120" – #102986
- CushionRite® Foam & Fabric Spray Adhesive 16.9 oz. – #120464
- Sailrite® Ultrafeed® LSZ Walking Foot Sewing Machine – #311602
- Sailrite® Ultrafeed® Industrial Sewing Table – #120934
- Sailrite® Upholstery Staple Gun – Short Nose #121410 or Long Nose #121411
- Screwdriver, Razor Blade, Putty Knife, Marker, Pencil, Heat Gun, 1/2" Drill Bit, Drill
After we removed the old, cracked vinyl from the original steering console, we noticed that there was quite a bit of water damage at the base of the console. One of our local partners, Morsches Builders Mart, along with volunteer John Roy, built a new steering console for the pontoon with fresh marine plywood. If your console is still in good shape, however, you could reupholster the existing console base to give it a fresh, new look.
For this pontoon’s steering console, we chose to use Morbern™ Seabrook Marine Vinyl. We chose the closest color match to the newly donated seats from Brunswick of Fort Wayne — Stinger Bisque (#105978). We also added a contrasting piping to the edges of the console for a bit of style. The vinyl cover was carefully patterned and sewn together to slip over the base. Cutouts were made later to accommodate the helm, throttle and cup holders.
To create soft edges, a layer of 1/4" sew foam was glued to the entire console. Also underneath the fabric is a layer of silk film, which helps the cover be pulled over the console and adds an extra layer of moisture protection.
In the complete how-to video, you’ll also learn how to cut a relief slit in the cover to fit it over the console and how to use the BeauClip Panel Mounting System to install an access panel.
There are more pontoon-related how-tos in our Marine Projects category. There you'll find tutorials on how to sew boat covers, awnings, upholstery, and even how to sew and install a full boat enclosure. With materials and tools from Sailrite — plus our expert educational content and videos — there's no limit to your DIY potential. Let's make something great together!