Looking for some advice on fixing boat seats - quick fix - best way

[kevinstan]

I have a 1985 Larson ski boat and it has some minor rips and tears on the seats. I want to cover them before using the boat this summer to prevent any further cracking or water getting in there too much. I was thinking about covering with duct tape but wasn't sure since I know duct tape leaves a horrible residue. Is there anything else I could use that anyone knows of that will cover the cracking and rips so they don't get any worse? Any ideas or input?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

No such thing as quick fix. There is re-upholstery, there is outright replacement.

However if you want to use as is without having people catch their backsides in the tears in the seats, buy some cheap beach towels, throw over the seats, staple in place, and go boating

 

[redneck joe]

No such thing as quick fix. There is re-upholstery, there is outright replacement.

However if you want to use as is without having people catch their backsides in the tears in the seats, buy some cheap beach towels, throw over the seats, staple in place, and go boating

This

 

[Stingrayaxe]

I had a similar problem. I used some scraps of marine vinyl. First it removed the seat cover. I cut a piece of vinyl about an inch bigger than the tear all around. I glued the patch from the back side with some vinyl cement. After letting it dry a few days I replaced the cover on the seat. Then I used a vinyl repair kit (I think it was made by Permatex). It came with some adhesive and some colorant. After mixing up a batch and experimenting with the color, I filled the tear from the front side. Worked pretty well. It kept the tear from getting worse. Kept water out and looked ok. Hope this helps.

 

[fhhuber]

There is crude re-upholstery... Still need about the same amount of fabric (square yards) as a pro job, but you save the labor cost.

You do "hospital corner" tucks and staple the fabric on. No patterns, just stretch it on. This can look OK and is better than the torn and chipping old vinyl.

As a delay in doing it right... you can apply just about any fabric you want. Cheap vinyl will last maybe 2 years depending on how much sun exposure, but the cheap stuff has low mildew resistance and this method helps trap moisture between the old and new fabrics, so you'd need to ensure the seats dry before covering the boat. (and you'd have to be sure the cover keeps the water off the seats when it rains)

I've done this to chairs and a motorcycle and one boat's seats. Its fine for a while. Kind of like putting a slipcover over a stained couch. The problem is still there, but you don't have to look at it.

 

[s.hadley81]

If your just trying to get out on the water and wanna keep it from cracking further, I used gorilla tape that's (clear Home Depot has it). It doesn't leave the as bad of residue and sticks pretty good. I used it on my stern jump seat till I redid it because the cording cracked and would scratch people legs. I had to put a new piece on 1/2 way through the season but I use my boat about 5 days a week in season. It wasn't even that noticeable really.

 

[s.hadley81]

No Title

 

[gm280]

kevin, two issues here in my opinion. If money isn't an issue, take a little time and remove the seat and pull off the vinyl and cut any seams apart. Then you have parts to use as a pattern. Buy whatever color materials you like, cut the new parts out and sew it back together. We've done that a lot of times now, and it is amazing how nice the new coverings look when finished. Second option is to take the seat to most any upholstery shop and have them recovered. Costs a bit more, but will certainly look great when finished as well. Both of these options are not really too costly and can be completely well before summer. JMHO!

 

[redneck joe]

When i use my local shop, i do all the tearing apart of the staples etc then just take them the skins to remake. And old gordon like 20 dollars bills instead of a check or a credit card.

 

[SkaterRace]

I have used some white tape I found at a store years ago, does not look great but does the job. I would think that gorilla tape or glue with a piece of fabric over would do the job too.

 

[Silvertip]

Some farm & hardware stores carry "tarp repair tape". It looks like duct tape but is thinner, more vinyl-like, and very tough and sticky. I've only used gray but suspect other colors are available.

 

[roffey]

When i use my local shop, i do all the tearing apart of the staples etc then just take them the skins to remake. And old gordon like 20 dollars bills instead of a check or a credit card.

X2, much easer than you think. Taking out the staples is the time consuming part and when its done they will look new and last for the next 20 years, IMHO.