Replacing rear sun deck / engine cover / cushion thing on 98 180BR

[juissed]

I recently picked up a 98 180BR, but apparently the previous owner damaged or lost the rear sundeck. (I think that's what it's called)


Here is a pic showing the missing piece.

It really kills the aesthetics of the boat, along with usability.. Does anyone have suggestions where I could find a replacement? I know it will be expensive, but I have no upholstery skills or the time to make a new one manually.

 

[wish2fish]

is the first picture your boat in current state?

 

[juissed]

No, those are pics of what it should look like. The highlighted piece in the second piece is completely missing- with a wood board used as a top cover.

 

[kjingram821]

I'd start with local upholstery shops. See if they can pattern something based off the pictures and measurements of your boat. It's really just wood, foam and vinyl.

 

[juissed]

Good idea. I was able to find this image online.. so I think I might be able to piece the shape together and then just have a shop upholster it.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You might want to let the shop do the whole thing. The fit (so it looks right) is very important - also so that the jump seats fill in the "hole" correctly to make the sunpad. If you do the wood part, there's no guarantee it will be just right - it's "on you". If they do it, it's on them. It won't take a shop very long at all to make the template - show them the pictures you have and they should be good to go.

If you don't already have it, you'll need a piano hinge for the aft, center edge of the "board". You should see holes there in the fiberglass. The way that piece was propped open was by the use of black nylon straps to allow the piece to open a little bit past vertical. They (one on each side) were simply screwed to the underside of the wood and then the boat.

 

[beernutz]

I am guessing the previous owner was no help?

 

[blaster]

Don't forget straps to hold it down while underway. Twice now I have had the sun pad flip up and spring the hinge and pull out the support straps.

Getting it done at an upholstery shop is definitely a good idea. Get ready to pay for it though. Depending on the quality of materials it might be $1500 but if its done right and matches, it makes the boat way more valuable.

 

[juissed]

So the project is complete for now.

Considering I picked this boat up to just play with during the summer/fall and then ditch, I opted to take an "easy way out"


I made a new deck from pressure treated 3/4" plywood. Instead of having it extend over the engine cover, I had it stop just short. (I use the engine cover as a table while fishing, etc)

I had a local upholster shop foam & wrap the piece. They charged $300.

it didn't turn out too bad considering this is a cheap beater boat.

 

[blaster]

Looking good, thanks for the update.

 

[GEORGE VANDYKE]

Looks nice! I'm thinking about doing the same project, I have a 1999 Sea Ray 180 and the sun deck is beat up and has a couple of burn holes and scuffs in it. How did you get the dimensions for the sun deck? Did you use a template? I'd like to keep it to the original shape and have it match the red of my interior. Does anyone no if it would be available as a replacement part? Where I could look? Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Jacob190000]

I've got a '96 Sea Ray 190BR and lost my rear Sun Pad a few months back. Finally got around to making a temporary cushion while I wait for upholstery shops to open back up. I've gotten a couple quotes back and it's looking like it'll cost between $800-$1200, so I may have to wait a while anyway. I recorded a time lapse of the entire process and uploaded to my youtube channel if you're interested:

I've also uploaded the materials, tools, and steps below.

 

[James Meerdink]

I just took a shot at redoing the sunpad on my 98 190 bowrider. I should note that I did the bow cushions and jump seats (rear movable cushions) first in order to get the hang of sewing vinyl.

Came out pretty nice, although with anything you make yourself there are f ups and you notice them.

I included some befores.

Takeaways from the project:

If you have originals to use as patterns, sewing vinyl isn’t that hard.

Piping makes things way easier! Buy a piping foot and then the sewing machine follows the piping like a railroad track - you just match up the ends.

Check out Joann fabric for marine vinyl. So much nicer if you can quickly go get more without online ordering etc. Also they almost always have 40-50% off sale so ends up being about $10 per yard (36 x 54 inches- that’s a decent piece of vinyl!)

Regarding replacing without having the old one as a model- that could be tough. The wood form is more complex than I thought it’d be, especially the part that fits tightly over engine cover.

James