Caring and maintaining your boat is important if you are to properly enjoy your fishing trips as well as prolong the lifetime of your boat. Marine environments pose some of the most harsh weather conditions therefore upholstery in boats show more signs of wear and tear. It is best to store the boat in a garage or carport. If you cannot store it under any type of shelter, make sure you cover sensitive areas with protective plastic cloth. During winter time and when the boat is not in use for extended periods find a suitable storage facility where you can keep your boat securely.
Although this type of upholstery is expected to get wet, it is advisable not to allow the foam layer to get soaked. As it is lined by wood and board it may lead to rotting. Try to keep the surface as dry as possible by immediately cleaning up excess water and place towels on areas where people who are wet would sit.
The type of care needed to be taken mainly depends on the type of material used for the upholstery. The following explains how best to care for each type.
- Vinyl upholstery
This requires the least amount of maintenance. The surface can be easily wiped dry. It is recommended to use a vinyl cleaner to prevent the surface from getting too dry. This also acts as protection from sun damage. - Leather upholstery
It is used very less as an upholstery material in boats as it is highly prone to getting damaged by the sun. The best cleaning solution is neutral soap at a balanced pH of 7. It is also best to use leather protectants with UV protection. - Fabric upholstery
This is the most difficult type to care for as it readily soaks up any liquids. You should apply a fabric protectant to prolong the lifespan of this type.
Fishing boats are generally designed with upholstery able to withstand the harsh weather conditions to which they would be exposed in marine environments. Most quality upholstery used are able to withstand exposure to direct sunlight and constant contact with water. Some damages could be repaired. In such instances, you may be able to fix it up yourself or there are many organizations that offer the required professional repair services. But with time you may need to consider an upgrade which would also be carried out by many marine upholstery specialists or you could be able to get good replacements on the aftermarket.
Source :https://marineaccessoriesblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/23/maintenance-tips-on-how-to-take-care-of-your-boat-upholstery/