Sea Ray 185 Sport Vinyl Repair

[JHfromJersey]

Hello. I recently purchased a 2010 Sea Ray 185 Sport. Unfortunately the vinyl was not cared for very well by the former owner and it needs replacement. I have taken out the captains chairs and the bow cushions as well as the sun deck cushions and have removed the vinyl myself to take to an upholstery shop. Where I'm having trouble is the back seat backrest and the corner backrests for the bow seats and the best way to remove them. Any and all recommendations are much appreciated.

 

[JimG]

They could be mounted with that nylon industrial Velcro... have you tried to just pull them off?

Welcome to CSR!

 

[JHfromJersey]

Thank you. Yes, the back seat bases were just mounted with velcro but the backs appear to be bolted on.

 

[hblock72]

Are they bolted from behind? Can you see any fasteners holding the rear bench seat backrest in by looking through the engine compartment?

 

[JHfromJersey]

Looking in the engine compartment I do see a wooden frame (or maybe plastic) in the center that appears to be bolted to the fiberglass. I was thinking of unbolting that frame to see if that would then remove the entire seat back but was unsure. Thanks!

 

[hblock72]

Just curious if you had gotten your seatbacks removed and how they ended up being fastened in?

 

[JHfromJersey]

Yes I did, there are some small bolts in the engine compartment that need to be removed and also some small screws at the bottom of the vinyl backrest. If you pull up the vinyl a little you can see the small screws. I haven't yet attempted the corner backrests in the bow yet, if you have any ideas or recommendations, would be much appreciated...Thanks.

 

[hblock72]

For the corner backrests in the bow, you may want to check for fasteners behind them similar to the rear bench seat. You'd probably have to get to them through the access hole under the steering wheel and glove box. Just a guess, but seems likely.

 

[JHfromJersey]

Good idea, thanks!

 

[Chris Connors]

I was able to remove mine by accessing a few nuts under the dashboard and also the ones by reaching up from under the backrest and finding the bolts.

 

[JHfromJersey]

Just an update for any of those that are interested.
It turned out to be easier than I thought. For the back seat backrest 4 screws at the bottom of the backrest - you just have to pull the vinyl up a little to see the screws and 6 bolts that you can access inside the engine compartment and it comes right off. As for the backrests to the bow corner seats, even easier - 2 screws on the bottom of each and they pull up and off as they rest on some hooks. On the way to the upholstery shop with all of it! Thanks to those that replied for the help and guidance.

 

[Chris Connors]

Is there a place to simply order third party (aka affordable) replacement backrests instead of rebuilding the necessary wood which is rotted and then reattaching the vinyl?