Marinette Boat Forum

Hi everyone,
I have a 89 28ft express. The helm seats need help. They are very loose and sloppy. Any suggestions - replacement (but I like the org look) - so rebuilding and improving might be best

Is the wood the problem, or upholstery, or....?

The wood was soft from getting wet on mine . replaced it with new wood & ready to go. just take the staples out of the bottom & trim. Re staple it.

If it is the wood check this stuff out.
I just replaced my aft deck with the 5/8.
Not cheap, but effective
http://versatex.com/pvc-sheet-material

Steve..pls define the problem a bit better so we can help you. Right now, we have to guess what you mean. For example, is it loose at the base or where the base meets the seat bottom? Is it a bench or a swivel seat? If it will help, include a photo.

I just put new wood in my helm seat bottom...$66.00 for a sheet of 3/4 marine plywood from menards will do both seats, back and bottom. $30.00 for an electric stapler. Worst part is pulling the old staples, take your time and don't wreck the vinyl.

The advice given so far is correct. While I liked the original seats, they were heavy and did not fold. I bought boat seat hinges from someplace, cut the plywood to the sizes I wanted and had it upholstered. It would not be a big job to have done the upholstery (and I wish I would have done it myself because I would have reinforced the corners) it was just all getting ahead of me. When I got them back from the shop, I installed stanchions on the bottom to accept the legs. It had to be one of the simpler projects on my boat. The seats are lighter and fold so I can open the center hatch without removing them.

my problem was the actual seat hardware. I changed the supports from the original to the one pictured. it is the same company that made the original. you loose the adjustability so the seat is fixed and the support going to the deck is a "H" design. it is night and day more stable.

here is the link
http://www.garelick.com/Side-Mount-Helm ... e-Hardware