Why do my boat seats smell bad after being in the sun?

    • 4 posts
    January 31, 2025 12:39 AM EST

    The moment I stepped onto my boat, a strong musty odour hit me. It was a hot summer afternoon, and the sun had been beating down on the seats all day. I thought airing it out would help, but the smell only seemed to get worse. I ran my hand over the vinyl, dry but something wasn’t right. Could it be mildew? Trapped moisture? Maybe leftover sunscreen and sweat baking in the heat? I tried wiping the seats down, but the odour lingered. Frustrated, I knew I had to figure this out before my next trip. What’s causing this smell?

    • 6 posts
    January 31, 2025 12:46 AM EST

    After some research, I discovered the culprit was likely a build-up of moisture, sunscreen, and saltwater, which can cause unpleasant smells on boat seats. I cleaned them thoroughly with a vinyl cleaner and let them dry completely in the shade, ensuring no moisture was trapped. To prevent future issues, I now cover my seats when not in use, which helps protect them from the sun and humidity. If you're having the same problem, I highly recommend checking out and discover the ultimate guide to boat seats in Australia on https://www.segeseats.com.au/  for great tips and products.