Re: Seats are collapsing!
Chris in VA:<br /><br />Many boats used plywood and wooden frames for seating and compartment covers, as you have found. In a redo of my boat, I took out all the seating and frames, carefully removed the covers which were only three years old, then traced all the plywood frames and parts, constructing all new seats and frames. I used CDX (exterior ply) and mahogony and cedar. In all seating and other parts with large expanses of vinyl covering I bored holes to enable the foam padding to dry out, "breath" from the underside. All the wood was soaked with three coats of waterproofing (Thomson's or other). Frames were assembled with water-proof glue and stainless fasteners. On the bottom or backside of pieces to be covered with upholstery, I stapled flexible plastic mesh (avaliable at fabric outlets, the type used commonly to "knit" or "macrame" designs onto) it's cheap too about $1.59/yard. Then, I re-covered the seating and parts with the vinyl covers, using stainless staples.<br /><br />As mentioned above by Boatin Bob, the stainless staples are available at home centers and well worth the $10 per thousand. If your upholstery is in good shape it'll be a fairly inexpensive project. I did mine over a winter so I was able to take my time and do it meticulously...so do it right the first time and it will last 12 to 15<br />years.
