Helms seat bolster failure. 44 DA

Robski97

Robski97

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2007
1,828
North Bellmore, NY
Boat Info
44DA
Engines
Cummins QSC 8.3's
Ok first off I did put on some weight.... Heading out last weekend Im leaning on the helms seat bolster and the damn thing collapses on one side. I got screws falling out of one end .. Wood spooge all leaking out... WTF ??? We get to where we are going and I start to play with the seat, it takes me alittle bit to figure out how this thing comes apart . What stupid design. Anyway Im able to spin the bolster to expose the " zipper " . I reach into each end of the bolster pad to expose the ends of the zipper looking for a zipper pull. There is none. All i have is a zipper . So i make the corporate decision and pull the zipper apart so i can see what broke in the bolster. The internal frame of the bolster is wood. Yes WOOD !!! its actually 3 pieces of wood glued together and then screwed to a hinge . I looked for a brand and all I could locate is a Garelick tag in the pedistal. Call Garelick explain to them what happened and they said we dont use wood in our seats but send us a pic so we can check it out . Send the pic . I get a call right back. Not our seat. Searay made/ makes their own and thats what I got . The guy at GARELICK was pretty much laughing at me ... SO to make a long story short. I cut piece of star board to replace the wood in the bolster and went to my buddy;s dry cleaners who found me a # 3 zipper pull. Write it down # 3 plastic zipper pull. How do they make something that u cant open and close? Anyway just want to save someone else some grief !

Rob
 
Rick,
The wood split at the screws and is literally falling apart. Looks like they overtighened it at assembly and picked a real poor grade of wood as it also has knots in it. Bolster was full of saw dust and does not have water damage.

Rob
 
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I think this post is going to generate a lot of comments from other SR owners about the poor materials use in the substructre of SR helm and cockpit seats. I just had the combing (sp?) pad backing board rot out on my 23 year old boat. I salvaged the foam and upholstery and rebuilt it with a product similar to starboard. 23 years of survival in an uncovered part of the boat is nothing to complain about (I'm assuming it's original). But I'm guessing Rob's boat is from this millennium and you'd expect a greater lifespan, esp when it's never exposed to the elements.
 
As a counter-point, I've got a 16 year old Sundancer with a canvas top. We replaced all of our cockpit vinyl 2 years ago. I was expecting to have to replace some seat backing, coming boltser frames etc., but every piece of it looked like it had just been installed the day before.
 
Ron,
Shes an 06. Guys the only way to inspect the bolster is to open the zipper. There is no " zipper pull " to close it once u open it. So inspection without causing a headache for urself is impossible. I guess looking for sawdust might be a hint ?? IDK !!!!!

Rob
 
Unidentified wood fragments are an early warning sign, absolutely! In the absence of that, there's probably no reason to tear into this job until it falls apart.
 
Attempted to reinstall the bolster and close the zipper ! What fing stupid ass design! Can't close the fing zipper with the bolster on the seat ! Nice going searay designers ! Need to be a contortionist

Rob
 
I did use my long nose pliers. Problem is the zipper has no guide. so starting the zipper is the issue. Im having a new zipper installed. A very simple thing becomes a project.

Rob
 
If you get the proper tool you will save yourself a lot of cost and aggravation.
 
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