Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down ?

[Jasonvancouver]

Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down ?

I have an 18ft Sea Ray 185. It has a rear sundeck cushion that rests on top of the fiberglass engine cover.

I have had several occasions where the sundeck cushion has opened by itself when towing, or when on the water at higher speeds.

I resorted to the unsightly solution of running a tie-down across the sundeck cushion (secured to the toe hook at the transom and the aluminum bar in the front). This definitely works, but not the solution I had hoped for.

Has anyone come up with a more elegant solution ?

The sundeck is only secured by two tethers on either side that snap into an area by the back seats.

thanks!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Re: Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down

Those tethers don't hold it down? Just to be sure.... Are you "snapping" them the correct way? They're those odd looking, black plastic things, right? Hook the bottom, then push up. Or... Do I have that backwards? It's been a while - but point is there is only one way to securely latch those.

On the road, use bow/cockpit covers or a good trailering cover.

 

[Jasonvancouver]

Re: Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down

Yeah, I am snapping them in... yes, you are correct, they snap into a plastic mount of some sort. My thought is that air pressure is somehow getting down near the middle of the cushion and lifting the cushion up. In other words, I guess the 2 snaps on either side of the cushion aren't strong enough to hold it down.

I am thinking I may have to come up with another way....unless I want to stay with running a tie down from the back of the boat over the cover.

It only seems to happen at speeds over 40mph....not that I go that fast...but every once in a while the thing just flips open, even though it is clipped into the brackets on either side.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Re: Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down

They're plastic... they are probably just worn out. Otherwise, they usually do a very good job.

Change them out to this:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...o?pid=3747&familyName=Perko+Turn+Snap+Eyelets

If you felt like it, you could add two additional snaps (and black, nylon strapping to the underside of the lid) to either side of the engine box. Or, maybe just one in the center.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Re: Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down

Oh... Changing out the snaps would take care of things while you're using the boat, but I'd still do something else if you don't have covers (for when you're towing). Maybe just a single strap attached to the underside of the cushion (front, center) that you would bring out and wrap around the box's handle (it can snap back on itself).

 

[Jasonvancouver]

Re: Anyone solved the problem of the 1997 SeaRay 185 sundeck cushion not staying down

Oh... Changing out the snaps would take care of things while you're using the boat, but I'd still do something else if you don't have covers (for when you're towing). Maybe just a single strap attached to the underside of the cushion (front, center) that you would bring out and wrap around the box's handle (it can snap back on itself).

Thanks Lazy Daze....good solution. I have a cover that goes over the boat for towing. I am a new boater and learned my lesson towing the boat without a cover... things started disapearing. I will try your suggestion.

thank you !!