Fishing Frenzy

Boat seats are an important part of your vessel, whether you use it for fishing, sunbathing, leisure, or to transport your friends out for a picnic in the middle of a lake.

To make sure that the seats in your boat are of the right type for your purpose, as well as to allow for their best upkeep, which will maintain your boat's value over time, it's important to know about the skin and bones of the seats - the upholstery and the materials.

Damaged boat seat materials, such as bent frames or ripped fabrics, not only decrease the appeal of the vessel but also lower its value. Especially if you are thinking of selling the boat, often a little seat repair and refurbishment will pay itself many times over.

Regarding the boat seat materials most commonly employed in the frame of seating, stainless steel or pressure-treated wood are the most common ones, with fiberglass being a close third. Luxury boat seats on the other hand are often built entirely in prestigious teak wood.

Fiberglass and steel are very common materials. When buying steel-based seats, you need to make sure that it's stainless to avoid rust and resulting ugly stains. Marine plywood is used for less expensive seating - make sure that the material has been pressure treated if you buy this kind of seat.

One of the most important boat seat materials is the upholstery, but please note that not all boat seats need and have it. Some are hard seats, and have wooden benches and backrests attached to a frame of a more solid material.

These seats are usually fitted with removable cushions for comfort. Of course, when it comes to covers (both upholstery and for cushions), the variety of fabrics that can be used for indoor seating is more varied than for outdoor seating.

Boat seats that are intended for on-deck use must be proofed against environmental hazards such as light from the sun and wind. Marine grade vinyl is often used for boat seat upholstery, although there are other possibilities.

Alternatives to marine grade vinyl include nylon, weatherproofed leather, and other high-grade fabrics. These are usually more expensive, but also more luxurious, nicer to look at and more comfortable.

Boat seat materials need to be hard wearing and sturdy. Most custom boat seat manufacturers will be more than happy to help a client to find the best material for his and his boats' needs.