1986 Ski Nautique 2001 resto project

I have had the boat out a couple times after I gave it a quick cleaning and buff job. I straightened a few dings in the prop, got the tach working, got my registration numbers on, got a new hour meter, refinished the swim platform, repaired a cracked blower plenum and basically am now confident that the boat is mechanically sound.

Last week I decided I was done using it for the summer and took the drivers seat to a local upholstery shop I have used before. He found good matches for the vinyl. I told him to order enough vinyl to do the whole interior and start on the somewhat complex drivers seat. He had given me a rough quote of $5K to do the entire upholstery job. That is too much for me to swallow so I told him I may try and learn to do the rest of it myself.

So..... on Friday I am buying a used Consew 206RB-1 industrial sewing machine that is in need of some TLC. I am going to fix up the machine then start practicing sewing with it on scraps. If all goes well, I will get good enough to do the rest of my interior.

That's a great sewing machine. I'm in the process of making a new interior for my Century. It isn't that bad, just take your time. If you've never sewn before, take your time and practice, practice, practice! If your machine has a clutch motor, I would suggest installing a servo motor and possibly a set of reduction pulleys. It will make for a much slower startup and better control. If you have a source for some cheap vinyl, use that to make up practice covers, makes things much easier overall. Contact me if you want to discuss, happy to share my experiences.

TRH299 said:

repaired a cracked blower plenum

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What I thought you meant...


vs. what you actually meant :

fibersport said:

That's a great sewing machine. I'm in the process of making a new interior for my Century. It isn't that bad, just take your time. If you've never sewn before, take your time and practice, practice, practice! If your machine has a clutch motor, I would suggest installing a servo motor and possibly a set of reduction pulleys. It will make for a much slower startup and better control. If you have a source for some cheap vinyl, use that to make up practice covers, makes things much easier overall. Contact me if you want to discuss, happy to share my experiences.

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Thanks... Been looking at doing a gear reduction at the least and if that is not sufficient then I might buy a servo motor also. I got the machine home and have been looking it over for issues. Thus far I have ordered a new tensioner assembly as mine has a broken spring/hoop. Also found I may be missing a small spring washer gizmo that is supposed to be in the bobbin retainer. Person I bought it from did not know much about this machine as he got it from his grandparents estate. Supposedly it missed stitches on occasion when last used. I have watched a bunch of videos on hook timing and needle height along with walking foot adjustments. I still need to order some proper needles for vinyl (135-17?). Probably will repaint the table legs and might repaint the machine itself if I can find matching gray hammer finish paint. Gonna be fun to learn a skill that will also save me a ton of money

Repainted and repaired the Consew 206 RB1 sewing machine this weekend. Also fabricated a gear reduction pulley system (7.8 : 1 speed reduction) and an extended motor mount. Picking up the new belts after work today. Leaving for a trip midweek so I won't get to start on the upholstery practice for a another week or so.

alldodge said:

Look forward to seeing the progress, and right ow is a bad time at iBoats because pics cannot be posted. We all hope that gets fixed soon

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Again??? WTH!!! Well....Last time this happened, uploading links to pics on Imgur and links from Youtube seemed to be a decent temporary fix.

TripleJGraffis said:

Again??? WTH!!! Well....Last time this happened, uploading links to pics on Imgur and links from Youtube seemed to be a decent temporary fix.

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We are fixed now.

Finally got my sewing machine working properly and decided to try my first piece.... the starboard aft seat bottom.

The wood basically fell apart after removing the cover. Going to make a new base from 1/2" plywood and seal it with epoxy.
Hopefully my 1/4" sew foam arrives on the UPS truck and I can attempt my first sewing job this weekend.

Success! Finally completed my first cushion. I spent an entire day completing the first one. It is not rocket science but it required some thought, patience and coordination. Had to figure out how to mark the old cover, then cut it, then trace them onto new vinyl with 1/2" seam allowance, then glue 1/4" sew foam to them and then finally sew them together in proper order and with proper seams.

I also had to make a new base out of pvc board as the original was rotted.

It should go a bit faster now as I tackle the others.

Looks good

That looks great! you are a skilled craftsman.

I see why upholstery shops charge so much.... Takes a ton of time to do this work. I am getting a little quicker as I am wasting less time figuring out how to proceed with each piece but this is definitely time consuming work. Hardest part is marking the old seat then cutting it apart and then marking and cutting the new vinyl/sewfoam. The actual sewing is the fun part.

I now have all three aft lower cushions done. All three required replacement of rotted plywood bases with 1/2" PVC board.
This last large center cushion took me about 8.5 hours start to finish. I currently have 5 people (co-workers and internet forum friends) wanting me to do boat/car upholstery work for them. I guess I have an unexpected source of extra income available when I retire in a few years. Lol