Upholstery repair or replace?

[peteSki]

Looking for some advice on how to fix up this small upholstery peel I have on the engine box. Overall the upholstery in the boat is in great shape considering it is 11 years old and has seen very little prolonged sun exposure, just got this one area on top of the engine cover that has kinda peeled back. Looking for opinions on how to go about fixing this, ie whether a local upholstery shop can repair this or whether I should be ordering a new skin and going that route. Either way I'm looking to maintain the same style and quality of the upholstery. I'm pretty handy mechanically but have never done upholstery work myself so I would likely not do this myself, the question is really what the scope of this fix will be. I also plan on getting this fixed over winter and would have no problem removing the engine box to take it to a local shop.

Here's a pic and you can see the peel that's happening just above the blue line that runs through the middle of the cover.

Thanks,

[rodneybk]

Just bought a boat that had the whole interior redone. Licensed to do all of Nautique patterns, and it seems like a top notch fix. This boat really does look brand new.
Here she is:
http://www.christinesmarine.com/

[peteSki]

Yeah been reading about Christines and have checked out the site, the skins they offer look great. What I'm not sure about is whether I need to go for a total new skin or whether this can be repaired some other way.

I see you're in Alberta, so did you import the skins and then get a local shop to install them?

Pete

[DLafont]

Not sure if the local shops around Ottawa have the expertise to fix this or not, but it seems like a relatively minor problem. It really depends on how big of a problem this is for you and how much you're willing to spend fixing it. I've ordered from Christine's great service.

[charlesml3]

OK, an 11-year-old boat so here's where you are: ALL of the vinyl on the boat is aged. There's no stopping it. The sun will eventually get to it and the vinyl will get brittle. Once it does, it starts to crack and you know where this is going...

If you replace the skin on the engine cover alone, you'll be replacing other skins soon. They'll all start to go. It's a waste of time to do them one at a time. Dye lots may make some skins come out a different shade if you don't do them all at once.

Moral of the story: If you're going to keep the boat, do all of them at once. It isn't cheap, but it'll make your boat look great. I bet your carpet is worn too...

-Charles

[AndrewB]

Hi Charles, appreciate your post. I've got a '97 AirTique 175 that needs a whole new interior. On the fence about whether we're going to keep her....if we do I'm going to take your advice. We're on Lake George, so I would need to find someone up here.

but right now I've got a more pressing problem....boat is taking on water and have not determined where it's coming from. Stuffing box appears to be tight so I want to access fuel tank area but not sure how to remove backrest cushion. Feels like it should slide up and off but is being stopped by some sort of clips, just near/under armrests (on which the upholstery is also shot!).

any guidance would be appreciated.....meanwhile I'm going to peruse this site (new to me.....great find!) for direction.

thanks!

Andy

[g33b0]

Andy, so your boat is taking on water. I have a 98 air and was having the same issue. My hull hugger muffler was cracked. I got a diy fiberglass repair kit and some spray rubber and fixed it myself.

[NautiqueJeff]

AndrewB the rear backrest is held down by two rubber straps. If you pull out the seat base, you'll see them. Just pull them away from the gunnel and then lift the backrest straight up.

You may need to remove the gas tank and check your rudder port packing. That and the muffler are the two most likely causes. If the water just started coming in and comes in fast, I bet it is the muffler. Next time it happens, see if the water is warm.

Try to determine if it is the muffler before pulling the gas tank. It is way easier to remove and repair the muffler than to remove the gas tank. I know. I have done both!

If you decide to get rid of the boat, let me know. I love those little mini Nautiques!

[peteSki]

I ended up taking the engine cover to a local upholstery shop in Ottawa who had marine experience. They did a repair by replacing the white and blue pieces with new material. All considered I am happy with the work, although they didn't exactly match the Nautique stitching, not that anyone would notice but I'm a stickler for maintaining the original! In hindsight I probably should have had him replace all the white on the engine cover and not just the damaged section as now the replaced section is new and the other white areas are faded, however the peel and tear are gone so overall very happy!