[180diablo]

Hey everyone!

Well, had some time to clean the boat this weekend (as the mold issues never seem to go away due to my tarps needing replacement) and part of my cleaning involved getting underneath the front bow seats to finally clear out the dirt that just cannot be reached without seat removal....Can of worms ... OPENED!

Keep in mind, the photos below are after 2 days of drying out in the sun (that we had). When I first removed the port side bow cushion, it was COMPLETELY saturated. There was only 1 nail loosely holding onto it (rusted) and the staples for the upholstery were just holding onto the wood (but they were holding). I was committed and had to tear the cushion apart so I could let it dry out.

(Port Side Lower back cushion)

This is the back side where most of water was evident :

20140901_091616 by Ryan McNeil, on Flickr]


This would be the inside where the foam was glued onto it:

20140901_091601 by Ryan McNeil, on Flickr

NOTE: Yes the vinyl is attached for a reason (so I don't confuse which side is which).

Make sure you look at them at the large size and let me know your thoughts. We all know that Mariah made top notch boats and being how wet that wood was, I would have to say that it was in remarkable condition for possibly being wet for 20 odd seasons as it could not breathe. Other than maybe drying out while in storage.

My question to you guys, would I be safe to reuse the wood shown above OR should I invest my time into some replacement 1/2" plywood with waterproofing to rebuild the cushion with? With a few more days of drying, the wood might just be usable. I would need to obtain an upholstery stapler so I can re-staple the vinyl back on properly and tight.

.. and yes, this would be my first attempt at something like this. Next is the starboard side ..

Feel free to chime in !

[husker_fan]

I would use King StarBoard. I had to repair a rear headrest that looked about the same. There is a seller on eBay (scrapplastic) that sells smaller pieces very reasonably priced. I also had to buy a stapler that I got from Amazon. It was a pretty easy project, and there is no wood to rot ever again.

[99 Mariah 258]

Make sure to get stainless steel staples...

[180diablo]

Originally Posted by husker_fan

I would use King StarBoard. I had to repair a rear headrest that looked about the same. There is a seller on eBay (scrapplastic) that sells smaller pieces very reasonably priced. I also had to buy a stapler that I got from Amazon. It was a pretty easy project, and there is no wood to rot ever again.

Hmm, the King Starboard looks like some decent material to use. I know I have enough wood on my boat that has been wet a few times over the last 20 odd years. After letting the wood dry for the last week or 2, one piece has split and I would need to clamp it down to glue it back together anyways. But I do like the suggestion of going with a marine grade plastic to avoid further rot.

One plastic store closer to me.
Online Plastics, Plastic Sheets, Plexiglass, Epoxy, Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber - Plastic World

I could get them to shape the piece exactly as the Mariah pieces looked and counter sink the screw holes to give a good hold. How it would work for re-attaching the vinyl fabric to the plastic pieces? Gluing the foam to the plastic shouldn't be all too hard as I have bought some spray glue already, but I don't believe it would be possible to staple the vinyl to the plastic vs wood.

It may come down to cost for the plastic pieces. I would still need to locate a stapler as well. I was considering heading to a hardware store tonight on the way up to the cottage.

Thanks for the input!

[mikeyt]

The King Starboard stuff is good. Coloradodiablo (Larry) swears by it. There's another plastic place in Hamilton you can try if Plastic World cant help out. Todd Lewis was my contact there and I've used them before with some success.

P&A Plastics Inc.
150 Main St E (at Walnut)
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3W9

Phone (905) 547-1675
https://paplastics.com/

[husker_fan]

King StarBoard is treated just like wood. Screws, staples, nails. After using it the one time I won't use anything else. The price isn't enough more to make it worth skimping on what can be a permanent solution. I waste more money in fuel a day than what I spent on the plastic.

[Andy b]

Originally Posted by husker_fan

I waste more money in fuel a day than what I spent on the plastic.

Tut Tut!
Fuel for the boat is never a waste

[PCap]

Starboard no question
the marine ply works and I think feels more normal to staple into but here on the jersey shore the plastic hold up so much better. I actually use a little hot glue.