Boat Cover Fabrics Guide
In-depth guide to boat cover fabric choices. PVC, Acrylic, polyester compared. UV protection, waterproofing and breathability for UK boats.
Why Choose UK Boat Covers?
- No VAT - save 20% compared to VAT-registered competitors
- 6-day turnaround from booking
- Marine-grade PVC and Acrylic fabrics
- Postal copy service - post your old cover, we copy it exactly
- UK-wide service - we deliver anywhere in the United Kingdom
- Family-run business with personal service
- 4.9/5 customer rating from 127+ reviews
Our Services
- Full boat canopy - from £495
- Tonneau cover - from £289
- Cockpit cover - from £263
- Cratch cover - from £329
- Repairs - from £90
Popular Boat Models
We make bespoke covers for 170+ boat models including:
Get a Free Quote
Contact Ryan at UK Boat Covers for a free, no-obligation quote. We serve boat owners across the entire United Kingdom via our postal copy service.
Get a free quote | View our prices | Learn about our postal service
Understanding Marine-Grade Canvas Specifications
Marine canvas is sold by weight and finish. Weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm) — higher gsm means heavier, thicker, more durable fabric. Finish refers to the surface treatment applied to the base weave: PVC coating (for waterproofing) or solution-dyeing with acrylic fibres (for breathability with UV resistance).
850gsm Marine PVC
The heaviest grade we use. A woven polyester base fabric bonded under heat and pressure to a PVC film on the outer face. Water cannot penetrate this film. UV-stabilised additives in the PVC compound prevent surface degradation. A cover made from 850gsm PVC weighs more than one made in acrylic canvas but will outlast it in exposed conditions by a significant margin. Typical service life: 12–15 years in normal UK use.
Odyssey Plus Acrylic Canvas (600 denier equivalent)
A solution-dyed acrylic fibre woven to a medium-weight, breathable canvas. Solution-dyeing means colour is built into each fibre strand rather than applied as a surface coating — the result is a fabric that retains colour even as the outer fibres wear down with age. UV resistance is Class 4 (the highest available). Moisture vapour passes through the weave. Water resistance is adequate for normal rainfall but not for extended exposure to driving rain or deep pooling. Typical service life: 8–12 years.
Colour Fastness and Options
Both fabrics are available in navy, dark grey, dark green, burgundy, and other colours. Solution-dyed acrylic holds colour more consistently than surface-dyed PVC equivalents (though our PVC is UV-stabilised throughout the compound, not just the surface). Colour selection can be made when ordering. Ask us about current colour options.
Ready to Order?
UK Boat Covers provides free quotes on all covers. To request yours, contact us with your boat's make, model, and the type of cover you need. If you have an existing cover to copy, use our postal copy service: remove your cover, post it to our Carterton, Oxfordshire workshop, and we'll return a new one in your chosen material within six working days. Your original is returned in the same parcel. No VAT is charged on any order.
We are a family-run business with over ten years of experience making bespoke covers for UK boat owners on rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal waters. All covers carry our guarantee of accurate fit and quality marine-grade workmanship. View our full price guide or browse covers for specific boat types at our boat types page.
