1982 Glastron C-535 Restoration

[Tripp Halbert]

Hello all!

I am currently restoring an old 80's Glastron. Currently, i am aiming to replicate the upholstery. Looking at the pics you see everything is there and it actually is all together and fairly solid. Unfortunately due to age, it is very dry-rotted and i am afraid after a couple of runs in the sun, it will deteriorate quickly. Questions:

-Has anyone had a similar model like this completely re-upholstered? What was the cost? Full re-build of all 8 units or just vinyl work? My budget is moderate but i dont want to spend thousands on seating for 5..
-Does anyone know where i can find info, supplies, dimensions, or any other support to help me through this re-build?
-Would buying already built captain chairs be more economical?

Thanks you guys as always!!!

 

[briangcc]

Several members have purchased sewing machines and done their own work. They can definitely walk you through the materials and machine needed. This will save countless $$$$ over having a shop do it.

IF it were my boat, I'd look at tackling it myself. Last thing I sewed was in Home Ec in HS....several decades ago. Take it for what its worth...

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. She’s lovely. Looks like a c500 metric version of the cvx16.
I’d be tempted to do everything you possibly can to retain the original interior. Surely you can get the vinyl reconditioned.
Here is a wee picture of my similar cvx16 Roger Clark

 

[todhunter]

I paid a shop to reupholster my 19 ft runabout back in 2021 and it cost me $3500 for the 2 captains chairs, rear bench seat, sun pad, and 2 side panels. The structure on everything but the captains chairs had to be made from scratch. I did the carpet myself.



Pre-built captains chairs will be cheaper, but may not match exactly the size, shape, or color (maybe even quality) of the rest of the vinyl.

 

[Tripp Halbert]

Several members have purchased sewing machines and done their own work. They can definitely walk you through the materials and machine needed. This will save countless $$$$ over having a shop do it.

IF it were my boat, I'd look at tackling it myself. Last thing I sewed was in Home Ec in HS....several decades ago. Take it for what its worth...

Hey Briangcc, I am mechanically inclined and love working on boats & outboards. When it comes to fabrics, i for some reason just do not have the touch. I tried a couple times in the past on previous boats unsuccessfully. Although i have built the structural parts, foam, etc. and had a guy do the vinyl. (got a SeaRay 175 bowrider 3 front cushions, and 3 rear bench cushions for $500)

 

[Tripp Halbert]

Hi. She’s lovely. Looks like a c500 metric version of the cvx16.
I’d be tempted to do everything you possibly can to retain the original interior. Surely you can get the vinyl reconditioned.
Here is a wee picture of my similar cvx16 Roger Clark

QBhoy, hey thank you for sharing man i bet she flies (75 mph?!) with that 150!! Yea so this is a Glastron Carlson C-535 just under 18' with the 115 tower of power. Such a fun boat, i have always wanted one!

I want to save it so bad but it just has that stiff feeling to it and the florida heat/humidy and salty rivers are relentless even on new materials. Did you end up saving any of yours or have to spend money on any seating?

 

[Tripp Halbert]

I paid a shop to reupholster my 19 ft runabout back in 2021 and it cost me $3500 for the 2 captains chairs, rear bench seat, sun pad, and 2 side panels. The structure on everything but the captains chairs had to be made from scratch. I did the carpet myself.



Pre-built captains chairs will be cheaper, but may not match exactly the size, shape, or color (maybe even quality) of the rest of the vinyl.

Todhunter,

Thank you for the information it is very helpful! Your scope sounds almost spot on to mine except my captain chair structurals are compromised but the rear seating seems to be repairable. I have noticed the vertical racing stripe 'look' on seats has kind of faded out in todays products so yea if i go with new captains chairs unfortunatley it is going to be difficult matching even closely. 3.5k is definitley max for me but not unreasonable. Do you by chance have pictures?!

 

[QBhoy]

QBhoy, hey thank you for sharing man i bet she flies (75 mph?!) with that 150!! Yea so this is a Glastron Carlson C-535 just under 18' with the 115 tower of power. Such a fun boat, i have always wanted one!

I want to save it so bad but it just has that stiff feeling to it and the florida heat/humidy and salty rivers are relentless even on new materials. Did you end up saving any of yours or have to spend money on any seating?

She looks lovely. The cvx16 isn’t that quick just yet haha. About 66 so far and ram out of pitch on the prop. Needs more. Little hairy after 60 though.

 

[tpenfield]

Figure around $3-4K for the upholstery work, maybe more on the $4K side as prices have gone up. It looks like you are in FL (?) lots of upholstery boat/shops there so pricing tends to be more competitive.

I do boat seat upholstery . . . that would be a medium sided job for most shops.

 

[QBhoy]

It would be such a shame to replace that lovely original interior. Such a great asset to a boat like that, for it to remain. Can you not get a vinyl conditioner and protection product to see it right ? I know 3m do a great product for just that. There are also professionals that can do a serious job of restoring it too.

 

[Tripp Halbert]

It would be such a shame to replace that lovely original interior. Such a great asset to a boat like that, for it to remain. Can you not get a vinyl conditioner and protection product to see it right ? I know 3m do a great product for just that. There are also professionals that can do a serious job of restoring it too.

Unfortunately I was reframing the rear seat supports yesterday and dry fitted the existing cushions. It creaked and cracked and separated at the seams when I sat down but mostly held together. It sucks to say bur will have to be replaced after a couple of rides. -__-

 

[todhunter]

Sure - here is where the upholstery stuff starts in my build thread. Skip ahead to page 28 if you want to see current pics from last summer.

1987 Power Play XLT-185 - floors, stringers, and upholstery

I installed the engine bay wood trim that hides the raw fiberglass edge. I also PB'd my mounting pads in place. I used tape to hold them while the PB cures. Anchor light storage (on the back of the bench seat): Bilge blower: Fire extinguisher: And I went ahead and glassed in the...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Tripp Halbert]

Todhunter - Man wow yea that is a high quality restore, your gel-coat work looks fantastic too! Thank you for sharing!

 

[todhunter]

Thanks! It was a lot of work but it has been very rewarding. I said if I ever do another ill buy a machine and try to sew my own upholstery, just to have the skill. As far as gelcoat goes, I only rolled on new gelcoat in the bilge and ski locker. The outside is original gel...I just buffed till my shoulders fell off.