Jo Fensham.
Jo Fensham is South Africa’s leading specialist in premium yacht upholstery, soft furnishings, and custom bedding solutions. Founded in 1981 by pioneering upholsterer Jo Fensham, the business has been at the forefront of marine interior innovation for over four decades.
What started as a one-woman workshop making cushions for John Robertson (of what would later become Robertson & Caine) has grown into an award-winning operation servicing some of the most respected names in the international yacht-building industry. Today, Jo Fensham supplies soft furnishings and interior solutions to top-tier manufacturers such as Robertson & Caine, Two Oceans Marine, Balance Catamarans, Kinetic Catamarans, Maverick, Southern Wind, and a discerning private clientele both locally and internationally.
Operating from a large facility in Montague Gardens, Cape Town, Jo Fensham combines the handcrafted artistry of traditional upholstery with cutting-edge technology. The company uses advanced CNC foam cutting, digital scanning, and 3D design tools to produce perfectly fitted upholstery and linens, yet still sews every product by hand—ensuring the human touch of craftsmanship in every detail.
We are known for our precision, reliability, and unwavering commitment to quality. Every item is custom-made, and every installation is tailored to the vessel it serves. From initial consultation through to fitting, Jo Fensham provides a complete turnkey interior solution for builders and yacht owners alike.
We also pride ourselves on being a family-run business with a staff complement of over 40 highly trained team members—many of whom have been with us for decades. As we look ahead, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of upholstery and interior excellence in the marine sector.
Our Expertise
At Jo Fensham, we’ve cultivated specialised knowledge in marine upholstery that few other companies can match. Our deep understanding of how fabrics, foams, and construction techniques perform in the demanding marine environment allows us to create solutions that not only look exceptional but also withstand the rigors of life at sea.
Our team includes master pattern makers who can digitally scan complex curved surfaces to achieve precision fits that factory specifications demand. This expertise extends to weight optimisation—critical for performance vessels where every gram matters—and developing upholstery systems that maintain comfort even at extreme heel angles or in challenging sea conditions.
We’ve pioneered innovative approaches to marine bedding, including custom-fitted sheets that stay secure during offshore passages and mattress systems engineered specifically for the unique requirements of catamarans and monohulls alike. Our proprietary multi-density foam combinations provide exceptional comfort while addressing moisture management—a critical consideration in marine environments.
Our Values
After four decades in business, JFYU remains guided by core values that define everything we do:
Our Future
As we continue to evolve, Jo Fensham is expanding our capabilities to meet the changing needs of the global yachting industry. This includes developing advanced lightweight solutions for performance vessels, exploring sustainable material options, and enhancing our digital design processes to streamline collaboration with international clients.
While technology continues to transform our industry, our commitment to handcrafted excellence remains unwavering. Every cushion, mattress, and fabric component that leaves our workshop carries forward Jo Fensham’s original vision: creating marine upholstery of exceptional quality that enhances the sailing experience through comfort, durability, and beauty.