Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

[jayhanig]

My transom was replaced this fall and I'm now interesting in redoing the rear seats and engine cover on my stern drive since the vinyl is getting the worst for wear. There is just a wooden frame covered with vinyl... the wood appears to be ordinary pine 2X4s. The piano hinges that hold the engine cover on have seen better days and the board that they're screwed into has had numerous screws placed and replaced. That's why I want to redo this.... the wood is getting holey and the vinyl has hundreds of rust stains from carbon steel staples.

So, my tentative plans involve constructing a new framework using stainless steel screws and then recovering with new vinyl and stainless steel staples.

I am considering using plain pine as I worry about chemical reactions between PT pine and stainless connectors. But then again, I want to protect the wood from water. Resin? Polyurethane? What SPECIFICALLY should I use? I've got a Westmarine store within a reasonable distance.

I see no reason to reinvent the wheel and yet I'd hate to put a lot of work into a job that would have lasted longer had I just added a step or two. I have pretty good woodworking skills and a tremendous woodshop. What I know about working with fiberglass would fill a thimble.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

2 part epoxy coat the wood..then cover with marine grade vinyl..IMO..

Screw and glue with SS and staple with SS.. .

YD.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

Epoxy is expensive but IS the optimum method for sealing the wood! Since it will all be covered in vinyl I would use basic polyurethane and save some money. First I would Thin som Boilde Linseed oil with some Paint Thinner about 15% and coat the wood. Let it dry for a couple of days and then I would thin the first couple of coats of Poly by 25% to get good penetration and really pay close attention to the parts that might be exposed to the elements. Then another couple of coats FULL STRENGTH. When Drilling for the hinges make sure to use some 3M 4200 to coat the screws and fill the holes just in case water might intrude. Doing this should save on costs and still yield a substrate that will last longer than you want to keep the boat.

I'm just sayin...

 

[Starman8]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

Most will say 2 part epoxy for the wood. Since you are a wood guy, my material of choice, you have options. One is a composite(fake deck material).

On some of my wood, I have simply used KILZ Premium Primer, and any open edges/laminates were encased in NASHUA waterproof butyl tape. For deck lids, I also incorporated vinyl that comes in rolls used for the roofing and gutter industry. The wood gets encased in it via glue, then the edges get sealed with the tape. You can immerse the finished product, and the wood is bone dry.

The epoxy is fine though.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

Since you are a wood guy I would suggest you stretch a little a do some re-design. I bet using something a little less beefy than 2x4's you could coax a little more room out of the aft end of the boat. Maybe add some cool looking drink holders or something. Yanno..... do what I want you to do.

Any rate, I agree with YD go with two part marine grade epoxy a do lots of coats and it will last forever. Hope to see some pics of the project?

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

I'd look into a sheet of marine grade ply. you could probably get the whole bench out of one piece and use the scrap for stiffeners. Once you get it built you can epoxy as noted above. Marine ply isn't cheap, but it would be far easier to work with than 2x material and dimensionally stable. Have you ever seen what happens to 2x4s when they sit unrestrained in a damp environment for a couple days? I have two kiln dried 2x4s in my garage that are left over from a project this fall. No direct contact with water but they now look like freaking skis!

 

[oops!]

Re: Very Basic Questions Concerning Rebuild of Seating

i just used plywood for mine and glassed it......the plywood wrapped in glass will last 40 years. (look how long untreated wood wrapped in vynal lasted allready)
epoxy is undoubtedly the best.

search erik green......he built a doghouse for his searay. constructing the interior of a boat is actually quite easy.