Nautolex Marine Vinyl by the Roll

Nautolex is a family of marine grade, vinyl-coated upholstery fabric built for boats and outdoor seating. The face is PVC, bonded to a flexible polyester knit backing. Grand Cayman and Elysee both weigh 30 ounces per linear yard, with weight and width tested to the CFFA methods listed on each product page. Both also carry the PreFixx protective finish, a topcoat the manufacturer credits with long-lasting durability and performance.

Marine Vinyl vs. Regular Vinyl

Regular vinyl upholstery fabric is made for indoor furniture. Marine grade vinyl is built to withstand demanding conditions: UV exposure, rain, spray, and temperatures that swing from summer heat to cold storage. That's why marine vinyl upholstery is usually treated to be UV resistant and mildew resistant, while indoor vinyl often isn't. For any outdoor upholstery project, the marine material holds its color and stays flexible longer, and both wipe clean.

Nautolex Marine Vinyl Upholstery Lines

Each line has its own textures, emboss depth, and roll size. Here's how the main options compare.

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is a marine grade, performance vinyl-coated fabric for marine seating and outdoor applications. It has a light emboss and a polyester terry loop knit backing, and it ships in 30 yard rolls at 54 inches wide. The smooth, light grain suits clean, modern boat interiors.

Elysee

Elysee is an expanded vinyl upholstery fabric with a woven textile emboss at a medium emboss level, which gives it a soft hand on seat cushions. It's backed with a filament polyester knit and comes in 40 yard rolls at 54 inches wide. It's rated for contract interior seating, marine upholstery, and harsh outdoor environments.

Mariner, SofDura, Nexus and Other Lines

Mariner, SofDura, Nexus, Beacon, Cetacea, and Colorado round out the collection. Grain, style, and textures vary by line, so check the spec details on each product page before ordering.

How to Choose the Best Marine Grade Vinyl for Boat Seats

The best vinyl for boat seats is the one rated for how the boat is used and where it's stored. Three spec areas tell you the most.

UV Resistant Finish and Fade Protection

Sun exposure is the main reason boat seats fade and get chalky. Look for vinyl described as UV resistant or treated for UV protection, and check how many hours it was tested for. More UV protection means slower fade and a longer life in open boats.

Mildew and Mold Resistant Treatment

Seats that sit damp under a cover can grow mildew or show pink staining known as microbial pinking. Vinyl listed as mildew resistant or mold resistant handles that environment better, but ventilation and dry storage still matter.

Cold Crack, Abrasion and Thickness

A cold crack rating shows the lowest temperatures the vinyl can withstand before cracking, which counts for boats stored through a Minnesota winter. Abrasion ratings measure durability against sliding in and out, and thickness affects how durable and how easy to sew the vinyl is.

Buying Marine Vinyl as a Full Roll

Buying marine vinyl in bulk makes sense when a job uses more than a handful of yards or when color has to match across every panel.

Who Should Buy a Marine Vinyl Roll

Upholstery and marine trim shops keep a marine grade roll in stock because one roll can supply several boats. Dealers and buyers looking for marine vinyl fabric wholesale cut down on reorders, and DIY owners redoing a larger boat can reach a roll's worth of yardage quickly.

Roll Size, Width and Yardage

Roll size depends on the line: 30 yards for Grand Cayman, 40 yards for Elysee, both at a 54 inch width. Note that each roll ships whole. Measure each panel, add seam allowance, and lay the pieces out on that width. For cushions that sit wet after rain, pair the vinyl with Closed Cell Foam.

Dye Lot and Color Matching

Two dye lots of the same color can differ slightly. A full roll keeps every panel in one lot, which matters when seats sit side by side in bright sun.

Other Uses for Marine Vinyl Fabric

The same durable vinyl works well beyond boats. It's common for outdoor upholstery on patio benches and outdoor furniture that face the same demanding conditions, for RV and camper cushions, and for DIY projects and crafts like tote bags, curtains, and tool covers. For car and truck seats, our automotive vinyl collection is built for automotive interiors.

How to Clean Marine Vinyl Upholstery

In a saltwater environment, wipe off dirt and salt with mild soap and warm water, rinse with clean water, and let it dry before covering. Skip bleach, solvents, and harsh chemicals, since they can strip the protective finish and dry out the vinyl. Keeping seats clean does more to protect the surface than any one product.

Supplies for Marine Upholstery Projects

Sew panels with bonded polyester upholstery thread, and fasten them with Stainless Steel Staples, which resist rust on boats. If a full roll is more than the job needs, Morbern Marine Vinyl is sold by the yard, or explore the full marine vinyl collection, which covers every marine line we stock.

Midwest Fabrics has supplied upholsterers and DIY customers since 1983, and we ship from South St. Paul, Minnesota. Call 651-451-6289 for help with a line, a color, or roll availability.