By Seamline workshop, marine upholstery team. Updated September 27, 2026
For seats that get wet, sprayed and sat on in swimsuits, marine vinyl is the usual pick because it is waterproof and wipes clean. Sunbrella is a woven solution-dyed acrylic that lets air through, so it fits tops, covers and cushions in shaded or covered spots. Sunbrella also makes a marine vinyl called Horizon.
What it is
Woven canvas or coated vinyl
01Sunbrella is a woven solution-dyed acrylic that lets air through
02It is water resistant, not waterproof, and its finish needs retreating over time
03Marine vinyl is waterproof and wipes clean, but it can get hot in the sun
Colors
Sunbrella colors
Marine canvas colors Sunbrella shows for tops and covers, and its Horizon marine vinyl.
Sunbrella marine tops and covers
Sunbrella
Marine canvas for tops and covers, 10-year limited warranty
Screen colors differ and shades shift between production runs, so ask us for samples before you choose.
On the boat
Canvas up top, vinyl on seats
1Bimini and T-top Sunbrella marine canvas
2Boat cover Sunbrella marine canvas
3Helm seat and leaning post Marine vinyl, gets wet and sat on
4Bolsters Marine vinyl
5Sunpads Marine vinyl
Canvas or vinyl
Canvas vs vinyl
Sunbrella fabric
WaterWater resistant, breathes
In the sunAir passes through
CleaningMild soap, diluted bleach per Sunbrella
FitsTops, covers, shaded cushions
Maker warranty10 years marine canvas, 5 years upholstery
Marine vinyl
WaterWaterproof
In the sunCan get hot to sit on
CleaningMild soap, bleach only as the maker allows
FitsExposed seats, bolsters, sunpads
Maker warranty1 year Morbern marine, 5 years Horizon
Side by side
Three Sunbrella choices
1
Marine canvas
Stiff and tightly woven for tops and covers
2
Upholstery fabric
Made soft for seating, best where cushions stay shaded
3
Horizon marine vinyl
Sunbrella vinyl with 4-way stretch for seats that get wet
Up close
Canvas up close
Woven acrylic with a stainless snap
A bolt of navy canvas and its swatch fan
PTFE seam on navy canvas
Which one fits boat seats
Vinyl beats woven fabric for exterior marine seating. Vinyl is waterproof, durable and the easiest to clean, but it can get hot in the sun. Woven fabric is softer and breathes, yet it is less durable over time and harder to clean than vinyl.
Sunbrella separates its own lines. Its marine canvas is stiff and tightly woven for tops and covers, while its upholstery fabrics are made soft for seating.
Is Sunbrella waterproof
No. Sunbrella marine fabric is water resistant and breathable, with a finish that wears off and needs retreating every few years. Coated fabrics such as Sunbrella SeaMark are the waterproof options, and they need vents so moisture does not get trapped under a cover.
What Sunbrella says about mildew and heat
Sunbrella says its fabrics resist mold and mildew, that mildew grows on dirt, pollen and sun lotion left on the surface, and that spots can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution. It also says its marine canvas lets air pass through, which keeps shade underneath cooler.
Side by side
Point
Sunbrella fabric
Marine vinyl
Water
Water resistant, breathes
Waterproof
In the sun
Air passes through
Can get hot to sit on
Cleaning
Mild soap, diluted bleach per Sunbrella
Mild soap, bleach only as the maker allows
Fits
Tops, covers, shaded cushions
Exposed seats, bolsters, sunpads
Maker warranty
10 years marine canvas, 5 years upholstery
1 year Morbern marine, 5 years Horizon
What we use and why
Marine vinyl on seats that get wet and sat on in swimsuits
Sunbrella marine canvas on biminis, tops and covers
Sunbrella upholstery fabric only where cushions stay shaded
Questions
Questions boat owners ask
Is Sunbrella worth the extra money?
It depends on use. For tops and covers in full sun, Sunbrella backs its shade and marine fabrics with a 10-year limited warranty against loss of color and strength. For seats that get wet, vinyl usually fits better.
How many years does Sunbrella fabric last?
Sunbrella gives warranty terms, not a lifespan. Shade and marine fabrics carry a 10-year limited warranty and upholstery fabrics 5 years. Real life varies with exposure, chafe and cleaning.
What are the downsides of Sunbrella fabric?
It is water resistant, not waterproof, and its finish needs retreating over time. On seats, woven fabric is harder to clean than vinyl and holds water if the foam under it does not drain.
Can I use Sunbrella marine canvas for cushions?
Sunbrella makes separate upholstery fabrics for seating. Its marine canvas is built stiff and tight for tops and covers, so it feels hard on a cushion.
What is the best color for boat seats?
Light colors such as white and light grey stay cooler in Florida sun. Every color fades over the years and bright shades show it sooner, so a cover when the boat sits helps most.
What is the best material for boat cushions?
Marine vinyl for cushions that get wet and sat on in swimsuits, since it is waterproof and wipes clean. Sunbrella suits cushions in shaded or covered spots, over quick-dry foam in both cases.
Next step
Get a quote
Send a photo of the seat or top. We tell you which material fits it.
