Reconstructing seats

Nautiquehunter wrote: I was just at the lumber yard and they recommended MDO plywood it is used for making exterior signs . Their plywood supplier said it would hold up like Marine ply. It was 20.00 less per sheet for 3/4 .

The MDO is mighty fine stuff. Have used it many times and it holds up outside very well. It comes in oversize sheets also which can be helpful at times. Think about it, outdoor signage takes a real beating. Don't remember voids ever being an issue either.

I have used the stuff which is commonly called "sign board". I made a disc for my daughter years ago and it's still in good shape - of coarse I did do the epoxy treatment to it!

MDO stands for Medium Density Overlay which is the outside "skin".

8122pbrainard wrote: Jack, You link isn't working so here's one that does The second comment is correct and the first is incorrect. What are you looking at marine ply for?

Thanks for the help on that link Pete, I'll get it yet. Just trying to get clarification not looking for marine ply. Heck I have 20 sheets sitting here for the boat I intend to build someday.

Link

Pete, you win. Now, lakedog55, to answer your original question...it depends on what year and model seats,what part of the seats,etc. You are making as to whether you need to increase the thickness when using a composite material to replace the original plywood. Having built and/or replaced many C.C. Seat foundations and bases, including building the "holy grail" 2001 deluxe stern seat from scratch, the answer is not a simple one. I would be happy to explain the details with you. Email me if you are interested or call me. NautiqueSkins@aol.com or toll free at 1-866-589-5614

lakedog55 wrote: The old interior had trees growing out of the seats. I think I have a pic. Mike

How about using the wood from them and using a good glue to make your own plywood

8122pbrainard wrote: NautiqueSkins wrote: I said "if expanded PVC is not practical and you want it to last probably longer than you will own the boat" to use marine plywood. I, personally, would use P.T. Plywood as it will likely last 15 or more years which is longer than I will be boating ! The glue is not the same in marine and exterior plywood. Exterior plywood uses water resistant glue and marine plywood has waterproof glue. I'm sorry but do you have any proof on the glue?

Pete - no reason to be sorry, this is a really important question. We have talked about this difference hundreds of times. If people are making value based judgements on bad information, we need to clear the air (i.e. this goes way beyond seat bases).

I will send an email to a plywood company to see if I can get any data.

NautiqueSkins wrote: WOW....no proof, just 30 plus years of experience replacing interiors in hundreds of boats for a living....never mind !!!

Pete likes to do that to new members regardless of what their qualifications may be.

NautiqueSkins wrote: I said "if expanded PVC is not practical and you want it to last probably longer than you will own the boat" to use marine plywood. I, personally, would use P.T. Plywood as it will likely last 15 or more years which is longer than I will be boating ! The glue is not the same in marine and exterior plywood. Exterior plywood uses water resistant glue and marine plywood has waterproof glue.

I'm sorry but do you have any proof on the glue?

I said "if expanded PVC is not practical and you want it to last probably longer than you will own the boat" to use marine plywood. I, personally, would use P.T. Plywood as it will likely last 15 or more years which is longer than I will be boating ! The glue is not the same in marine and exterior plywood. Exterior plywood uses water resistant glue and marine plywood has waterproof glue.

APA grades actually refer to the veneer on each side, not the inner layers. I was fortunate to have an engineer that worked for APA as a friend and he hooked me up with a local supplier for better, meaning less voids, P.T. Plywood. I bought several sheets but it has been so long, I don't remember the grade designations.

I should probably clarify that my suggestion to use P.T. Plywood was only in reference to an inexpensive alternative to a plastic material for SEATS. The theory being that it would last as long as the vinyl skins would last. The reality is that P.T.plywood is interior grade plywood that has been pressure treated and should NEVER be used in the actual structure in a boat. Marine plywood is the way to go on seats if expanded PVC is not practical and you want it to last for probably longer than you will own the boat.

P.T. Plywood is a good choice, however, it comes in different grades and the grade Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. sells is the cheapest available and usually has many hollow spots making it prone to separation. Check local lumber or specialty lumber yards for a better grade.

The plastic material is probably expanded PVC which is what C.C. uses. It has several brand names, Sintra being the brand C.C. uses. The problem with expanded PVC is that it will only give a little before it will crack, usually from a mounting or drain/air hole to another. This is a very common problem on observer seat bottoms from stepping on to them from a dock close to the front edge. Many coaming pads and walk thru walls are actually cracked when the boat is assembled due to over-tightening. The good news is that it can be easily repaired using heavy duty, clear PVC cement that is used on PVC pipe.

Pulling apart the interior and re-stapling the skins makes me nervous- especially on a $2500+ delux interior. Ive redone a few basic-shaped pieces and its certainly not rocket science, but getting some pieces to fit properly on their bases is an art. If you mess up, youve got a misshapen cushion, or a misaligned stripe- and of course, youre putting new holes in the vinyl every time you re-staple.

I dont mind a project, but I hate re-doing the same one twice... I just assume the bases last as least as long as the vinyl! I wouldnt mind spending a few extra bucks on a superior material, if someone could identify one. But thats just me!

Swatkinz wrote: With 3 women in the house, I don't want the seat bases to last forever. In my mind, that kind of repair is not difficult or time consuming enough to worry about choosing the "right" material or having it last 20 years or so. JMO

Gotta disagree there... my Skier has the original vinyl (40 years old) and hope to get similar life out of my other interiors. Skins are expensive! If I can find a suitable seat base material that matches or exceeds that lifespan, you bet Im going to use it.

Ive yet to hear someone come up with a good recommendation... but Im all ears.