I have been rebuilding boat interiors in Central Florida for more than forty years. The fastest way to get a sharp, reliable quote is to send clear measurements with a few good photos. You do not need fancy tools. You need a tape, a straight edge, and a steady plan. This guide shows you how to measure seats, backs, sun pads, bolsters, and odd corners so I can price your project right the first time.
What you need before you start
- Flexible tape measure in inches
- Rigid ruler or straight edge
- Painter’s tape and a marker
- Notepad or phone notes
- A coin or small lid to help read corner radius
- Optional, a large sheet of paper or cardboard for tricky curves
- Your phone for photos
Work in shade if you can. Vinyl gets hot. Wipe the seats first so grit does not mark the tape.
The four numbers I always need
Every cushion, no matter the shape, needs these basics.
- Width, left to right on the face
- Depth, front edge to the back face
- Thickness, top to bottom at the thickest point
- Shape notes, square corners or rounded, cutouts, hinges, or curves
Write one line per cushion. Example, Aft bench seat top, 54 wide x 20 deep x 4 thick, front corners 2 inch radius, hinge on back edge, two cup cutouts.
How to measure a simple square or rectangle seat
- Width
Measure the face from left to right at the widest point. If the sides taper, measure top and bottom and note both. - Depth
Measure front to back along the center line. If the back edge angles, note it. - Thickness
Measure the total cushion height at the thickest point. If the top is crowned, note that some areas are thinner. The thickest number is what I need for foam. - Corners
Check each corner. If they are rounded, place a coin or a small lid on the corner until the curve matches. Measure the coin or lid. That gives a good corner radius in inches. - Photos
Take one photo straight on, one from above, and one of the underside so I can see the base and staple line.
How to measure rounded or L shaped seats
Rounded bow or sun pad edge
- Mark two straight reference lines with painter’s tape. One across the widest point of the arc and one front to back.
- Measure width on the straight line.
- Measure depth at the center line.
- For the curve, measure how far the arc pushes out from the straight line at the center, known as rise. Add a photo from above. I can draft the arc from width, depth, and rise.
L-shaped bench
- Treat it as two rectangles that meet. Measure width and depth of each leg of the L.
- Measure the inside corner where they meet. If it is rounded, capture the radius like above.
- Photograph the full L from above and each leg close up.
Notches and cutouts
- Measure the full seat rectangle first.
- Then measure the notch width and depth from the nearest straight edges.
- Label the notch position with painter’s tape, for example 6 inches from left edge.
- Photograph the notch straight on.
How to measure backrests
Backrests are often thinner and may follow a curve.
- Overall width and height on the face
- Thickness at the top edge and at the thickest mid section
- Angle. If it leans, photograph from the side.
- Mount points. Note French cleats, snaps, or screws. Photograph the underside or rear so I can see hardware.
- Seam direction. If there are vertical channels or diamonds you want to keep, shoot a clear front photo.
How to measure bolsters and leaning posts
- Length across the front face
- Height of the face panel
- Depth from face to mount base
- Top radius. Use your coin method or hold a ruler across the curve and measure the gap at the center
- Mount spacing. If the bolster mounts with screws or a track, measure center to center and shoot close ups
Leaning posts see load. Note if the foam feels firm or if you bottom out. If it sags, I will spec a firmer density.
How to measure sun pads and engine hatches
- Panel size of each lid, measured edge to edge
- Hinge side and how far the hinge sits from the edge
- Gap between panels when closed, measure the gap and photograph
- Corner radius on each outer corner
- Latch and gas strut points. Photograph and measure center to center
Sun pads take full sun and kid traffic. If a corner has a torn seam, note it so I can reinforce that area in the plan.
How to measure seat bases and foam
You do not need to pull everything apart, but a look underneath helps the quote.
- Flip one cushion to see the base. Measure base width and depth.
- Press the foam. If it rebounds slow or feels heavy, note it. Heavy foam holds water.
- If the base is plywood, look at the edges. If they are dark or soft, write that down.
- Photograph any rust at staple lines or hardware. That tells me about fastener upgrades.
If bases need replacement or sealing, I can include that in the quote so there are no surprises later.
How to measure curves that are hard to read
Some shapes do not like straight tape measures. Use a quick template.
- Lay a sheet of paper or thin cardboard over the curve.
- Rub along the edge or trace with a pencil to capture the outline.
- Mark a center line and two reference dimensions on the template, for example width and depth.
- Photograph the template on the cushion.
- Save the template if we need it later.
You can also lay painter’s tape along a curve and then lay the tape flat on your notepad to measure segments.
Label every cushion with tape
Painter’s tape is your friend. Place a small piece on the face of each cushion and write a short name. Example, Helm seat bottom, Helm seat back, Port lounge top, Port lounge back, Sundeck left, Sundeck right.
Use those same names in your notes. Your photos and measurements will match and I can map the whole boat in one pass.
What photos help the most
- One wide shot of the full seating area
- One straight on shot of each cushion face with the tape label visible
- One photo from above of complex shapes
- One underside photo of each removable cushion
- Close ups of seams that have popped or vinyl that is cracked
- Close ups of hinges, latches, and mounts with a tape across for scale
Clean, well lit photos save time and questions. Stand square to the cushion so lines do not distort.
Notes that make a quote more precise
- Material preference. Tell me if you want light gray base with darker accents, or a simple single color.
- Stitch style. Plain topstitch, double topstitch, or diamond accents in select panels.
- Use case. Family cruising, fishing, ski and wake, or all of the above.
- Storage. On a lift, in a garage, or at a dock with a cover.
- Repairs. List any seats that feel heavy or smell musty.
- Timeline. If you have a target date, include it. I can be honest about schedule up front.
Common measuring mistakes and how to avoid them
Measuring along a curve instead of straight
Always measure width and depth as straight lines across the face, not following the arc. Use rise to describe the arc.
Guessing corner radius
Match a coin or lid to the corner, then measure that object. It is simple and repeatable.
Ignoring thickness
Thickness tells me foam plan and seam allowance. Measure at the thickest point.
Forgetting the underside
A fast underside photo reveals base material, hardware, and how the last cover was attached. That changes labor time and quote.
No labels
If I cannot tell which photo matches which measurement, I will call you anyway. Labels keep the quote moving.
Quick worksheet you can copy
Cushion name
Width,
Depth,
Thickness,
Corners,
Notes, hinges on back, two cup cutouts front, foam feels heavy, label photo 03
Repeat for every piece. If you want, I can send you a printable sheet to fill in.
How I use your measurements
I use your numbers to estimate material yards, foam, thread, and labor hours. For complex curves I draft a quick pattern. When the boat comes in, I template and confirm everything before cutting. Your careful measuring keeps the quote tight and prevents scope creep.
When I might ask to recheck
I will reach out if numbers fight each other, for example a depth that cannot exist given the photo, or a sun pad thickness that looks off. I may ask for one extra photo with the tape stretched across a line. Small rechecks keep the build clean.
What if your cushions are glued or non removable
Measure in place. Use painter’s tape to mark a rectangle and capture width, depth, and rise of arcs. Photograph the edges and any seams or vents. I can plan the removal method and replacement approach from there.
A word about thread, foam, and bases in Florida
If your notes mention popped seams or heavy cushions, I will include PTFE thread, fresh foam, sealed bases, and stainless fasteners in the quote. Florida sun and humidity will find weak links. Build it right once and you will not be chasing repairs next summer.
Ready to send your measurements?
Email your list and photos or text them with your name and boat model. If you would rather I do the measuring, I can schedule an on site visit. Either way, a solid set of numbers gets you a clear quote and a clean start.
Ready for an accurate quote or a measuring walk through on your dock? Call 407-325-9126 or request a free quote.
Longboat Marine Upholstery serves Tavares, Eustis, Mount Dora, and boat owners across Central Florida with craftsmanship that lasts.Thinking