making new sunpad for bow vinyl or sunbrella ?

[jc27]

should I make bowpad vinyl or sunbrella canvas to match top also going to make recline like newer searays with starboard backing, any ideas thanks.

 

[dr.j]

I would go with vinyl and seal the foam with plastic to prevent water log. Sunbrella is great but it allows air and some water to pass. Have you ever seen a seat covered in anything but Vinyl ?

 

[Four Suns]

Have you ever seen a seat covered in anything but Vinyl ?

Yes. In fact, most of the newer high-end boats are putting fabric on their outdoor seating now:

I did this to my back bench last year:

My sunpad on the bow came in Sunbrella fabric from the factory in 2003 and I believe all the sunpads from Sea Ray are now Sunbrella. The stuff is indestructible. I have patio furniture with sunbrella cushions at home and the stuff has been sitting outside for 6 years and looks fine.

 

[Quint4]

Mine are sunbrella...17yrs old and still look great.

 

[Fishnut]

Yes. In fact, most of the newer high-end boats are putting fabric on their outdoor seating now:

I did this to my back bench last year:

My sunpad on the bow came in Sunbrella fabric from the factory in 2003 and I believe all the sunpads from Sea Ray are now Sunbrella. The stuff is indestructible. I have patio furniture with sunbrella cushions at home and the stuff has been sitting outside for 6 years and looks fine.

Very nice, did sea ray do it or a local shop?

BTW, Sunbrella is tough stuff but not indestructible. I had a cover made for a boat engine and it ripped to shreads the first time I took it down the road. There is tougher stuff but for a breathable material at a good price I agree that you won't find anything better.

 

[Loneranger]

http://www.topgunboatcovers.com/TG.htm

You could use topgun which is a good alternative to sunbrella. I have used it for the camper enclosure on the pontoon boat and have had no issues but it is not as soft to the touch as sunbrella.

John

 

[Quint4]

I had a cockpit cover made for my last boat out of Topgun...very tough. I would not want to lounge on it though.

 

[wakeup 19]

quint how did you secure those? with snaps? did you wrap them in plastic or just sunbrella? great job on the bench!

 

[Uplate]

I am looking into this as well. Going with Sunbrella.

Here is a look I really like.

 

[Quint4]

there are snaps around the perimeter.

 

[dpmulvey]

You could go with vinyl and make a Sunbrella cover to prevent the UV damage. I have seen that done.

 

[fc3]

If you asked about cockpit seating, I would definitely recommend sunbrella. It it can look much better. But on the foredeck it stands out, and not in a good way. At least white vinyl isn't quite so obvious.

 

[Quint4]

I like the look of my boat better with them off...but they are comfortable and we use them all summer. Sometimes you must balance functionality & aesthetics.