Seat bottom removals - 01SAN

[jhiestand]

I've got some new skins to put on my rear bench and observer seat so will be making the 1.5 hour trek down south to yank the seat bottoms out of the boat (it's in storage). Anyone know what tools I'll need to get them out? Off the top of my head, the rear bench seats have hinges and I'll assume a philips screwdriver would work for those. The center cushion just snaps out. I have no clue about the observer seat, though.

As a last resort I'll just throw together a short toolbox with multiple screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc. I'd feel a lot better if I was sure I was hauling along the proper tools, though.

[MNSuperAir]

RE: Seat bottom removals - 01SAN

If I remember correctly, the rear bench bottom just slides in and the bench back has handles you need to unscrew in the engine compartment and on the side. As for the observer, that is where the hinge is. Probably only need a phillips for the observer seat

[jhiestand]

Yes, you're correct the entire rear bench just lifts out, but I will only be replacing the bottom cushions and only have space to bring back them back by themselves. The port & stbd rear seats hinge forward on the base, which is where I would like to disconnect them. Actually, I think they also have a cable "stop" attached too, that keeps them from opening too far and stressing the hinges.

I know the entire observer seat assembly hinges up, but same as above it's only the bottom cushion I will be replacing. I'm hoping it just screws from underneath.

[MNSuperAir]

Sorry about the confusion, I would assume phillips but I really don't know

[jroyal]

Joe, are all phillips head screws, even the observer. Rear starboard has 4 phillips head screws + one for the cable holder. Center snaps in and port is just removable. Observer has 4 phillips. Staples on the bottom of the skins are removed best with a flat head screw driver.

[jhiestand]

Exactly the info I was hoping for. Thanks Jeff!!

ps. Have any of your seats started to crack at the seams? My observer and one of my rear bench cushions gave way last season. I figured I'd just replace them all so the vinyl matched somewhat.

[DanielC]

I believe that most of the screws have nuts on the other end, probably a 3/8 nylock. A deep socket for there, Drivers seat rails are 1/2 head bolts, I think and you might encounter a 7/16 nut or bolt in there somewhere. Plan on some not easy access on some bolts, nuts or screws. On some Super Air (Classics) may also have some knobs that hold the rear seat back. One on each side, and one near the middle slightly to port. If you get fustrated getting the seats out, remember somebody did have to put it together the first time.
Take a shop vac to clean all the areas you cannot normally reach, you would be suprised at the amount of dirt that is hiding in there.

[MNSuperAir]

Where did you get the skins from? The dealer? and how much were they. My 2001 starting to show cracks on my rear seats

[jhiestand]

I ordered the skins through MidWest CC, although I'm sure any dealer can get them. It took them 3-4 months to finally get them to me, but dang that new vinyl is nice! For the observer seat and the three cushions across the rear bench it was a little over $500. Kind of pricey and that's just the bottom cushions, but I'm a little anal and the ripped stitching just wasn't going to cut it!!

Jeff -- right on with the phillips screws. I was able to pull all the bottoms and hopefully over the next few weeks will be able to get them back up to speed. Thanks for the help!

[jroyal]

Glad you got them out Joe. I had to replace one of mine because someone halfway unzipped a wetsuit and sat on the zipper for an afternoon..........the other two (larger curved and middle rear) did crack at the seams. I think it's from all the traffic coming over them from the rear deck. My daughter thinks I have a built in trampoline.

Once you put the new ones in, you realize how stained the old ones are.....but it's nothing a Magic Eraser can't fix.

[DanielC]

It takes a while to get Correct Craft vinyl skins because they have to make them from patterns, and files they have on your boat, in between normal production. The vinyl does have a stain restiant coating on it, that a magic eraser removes when it "cleans" the vinyl. You do not want to be buying vinyl before its time because you found a new way to "clean" it.

[jroyal]

For all of you ordering new skins, I heard CC had a new person in charge of the vinyl department and the ordering time has been reduced substantially. I don't know that for a fact, that is just what a dealer told me.

[EarlyRiser]

I was told that "some" skins now come from Midwest CC; the older boats. If correct, anyone know the cutoff years for ordering from them? I have spoken to Mwcc a few times, always very helpfu! ER

[keith]

new skins

I have a 2001 SAN. I ordered new rear skins as well. SE Correct Craft (Jim) is awesome. I ordered 4 skins and several other items on Jan. 19th and I should get them this week or next. Yes, they have a lady next door that makes the skins and does a perfect job.