Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

[DBreskin]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

This is the original interior of my 1992, 2-owner boat. If you saw it in person, you'd probably guess it was less than 5 years old.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

Boats will last almost forever with proper care. "Proper" means covering it and keeping it out of the sun when not in use. We step on the seats, lay on them and get worm goop on them. A little soap and water and semi-annual Armorall has kept them like new. The only rip or hole I EVER put in ANY boat was from a wayward fish hook!

My 1971 Silverline was in showroom condition when I sold it her 1984. By luck we ran into her on a lawn for sale in 2009. Do the math - 38 years old and the seats still were 100% perfect. The second owner also kept her garaged year round. The boat sold cheap then because of the age and the 3rd owner was obviously a slob. We saw her again on the lawn 5 miles away and the seats were 100% trash - cracked and ripped to threads. The last 2 years the boat was stored outside in a Northern winter with no cover.

My current ride is in her 30th season and the seats can't be told from new. 29 years garage kept!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

no torn seats in any of the boats I have or use--a 1964, a 1988, a 1995 and a 2003.

No permanent uphostered seats in any of them, either, except one seat in the 2003 (not torn).

Coincidence? I think not.

 

[matt167]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

My 1963 Custom Craft was totally rotted out, but the original interior is as perfect as you could really ask for a boat that is 50 years old. Reason is, it was cleaned and cared for, left under cover even after it was left unused. The only reason it rotted was the poor workmanship when the boat was built

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

So on my boat quest that I have been on, the one thing that I have noticed most is used boat seats are junk. I have been looking at 03-06 and everyone has tears and rips in the seats. Am I to assume this is normal when dealing with seats that kids/people are climbing in and out of? I am ok fixing them if needed I don't expect a boat to be perfect. I just need to know if it is an example of poor ownership or its something that's inevitable.

You forgot to add dirty , moldy , used . Question is weather you bought for to spend your time cleaning for show or the only people who ride in wear white ?

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

A little soap and water and semi-annual Armorall has kept them like new.

Public service announcement to all DO NOT USE ARMOR ALL ON YOUR SEATS, it is mostly silicone and will dry them out. The UV protection they claim is bogus. Throw that stuff in the garbage.

303 makes great products for vinyl.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

Just because the interior looks nice, that's no guarantee that the mechanical's have been cared for. All the glitters is not gold stuff. I have come across cars in the past that have perfect mechanical's, but the body work and interior was so-so. That was just how the owner prioritized things.I am sure there are many boaters who spend more time cleaning and tinkering with their boats, then they do enjoying them. If the hull & structure are sound and the mechanicals are good, then a well looked after interior is the cherry on the top IMHO, but it would not be a deal breaker for me.

The seat appearance wont float your boat or get you home !

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

Public service announcement to all DO NOT USE ARMOR ALL ON YOUR SEATS, it is mostly silicone and will dry them out. The UV protection they claim is bogus. Throw that stuff in the garbage.

303 makes great products for vinyl.

Yep and Simply Green left to long on a 23year old canvas top/tarp will have you shopping around . Looked great till I paid for a detail job .

 

[JimS123]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

Public service announcement to all DO NOT USE ARMOR ALL ON YOUR SEATS, it is mostly silicone and will dry them out. The UV protection they claim is bogus. Throw that stuff in the garbage.

303 makes great products for vinyl.

WOW, its too bad I didn't know that 30 years ago when I started using it on the brand new boat I bought.

But wait! My 30 year old seats with 30 years of applying Armorall are perfect, supple and soft. So what did I do wrong?

I DID try 303 once - that crap got thrown in the garbage after only 1 use. It was sticky and made the vinyl streaky. No amount of polishing it with a soft rag would make the seats look OK.....until I applied another coat of Armorall. maybe the 2 were not compatible!.

I still want to know why 30 years of Armorall didnt make my seats hard.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

My 97 interior is perfect, You will find one, Be patient.

LK

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

I still want to know why 30 years of Armorall didnt make my seats hard.

You're rubbing it in wrong :faint2:

I've used armor all on my seats as well as some generic vinyl cleaner/protectant I got at West Marine. Both seem to have worked fine, the seats in my 8 year old boat still look like new and there has been plenty of people stepping on them and road dirt getting to them over the years.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

My 40 year old interior is all original. I've got kids and dogs runnin' all over my boat, not carelessly but not treading too lightly either. The vinyl is still pretty soft, and mostly hole free (got a couple of pin holes, but no tears). I use Armorall occasionally, but mostly just dish soap and water. Myself and the original owner kept her in the garage, the guy between us kept her covered outside.

It doesn't look new ... DEFINITELY 70's vintage ... but looks in good shape.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Ripped/torn seats come standard on all used boats?

My seats were gone. Wood bases rotted, foam wet and moldy, vinyl stained and nasty. But the vinyl actually had no rips. We rebuilt the bases, new foam, plastic, rewrapped the vinyl, scuffed and coated with SEM vinyl dye. Only 2 seasons but they look great still. They sit in a covered flybridge all season and in the cabin all winter.