How to install bow padding in '94 Captiva 180.

Nucklez · April 2016

We decided that it's time to redo the seats and padding in the bow of our '94 Captiva. To our dismay, we cannot figure out how the original seats where installed onto these bolts. It appears the bolts where originally installed into the wood on the pads, and then bolted on from behind. How in the world do you reach those things? Do we have to separate the hull to get to them or what? Thanks for your help, and happy boating!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020499/uploads/editor/m0/y9umcqm9r1et.jpg

Michael T · April 2016

I can hardly believe the pics....don't make sense? I thought they slid sideways and come off? So, not sure how that was done but I helped a friend re-do his on another brand that had been installed in a similar fashion. Once we got the old seat backs off and re-done we used 3" wide by 3" long pieces of velcro to re-attach and they never moved again unless he wanted them to. Looks like the wooden seat backs have degraded any way which might be helpful in your case.

P.S.

I wouldn't separate the hull. At worst I'd remove the vinyl and foam padding to locate the "screws" and use the old backings as a template. It looks like the backing has gone bad anyway.

Be careful not to cause a split or huge chip of gel coat if you have to tug at a seat back. Instead I respectfully suggest to just open it up and remove the seat screws.

To repair use the old seat back as a template and use a marine grade plywood and seal any cut edges or for more $ you can cut starboard and that will last forever.

When we did this with my friend's boat we re-did the seat templates to make them bigger and more comfortable, that way he didn't have to bother re-tracing the old seat backs and got better seats in the process.

randy56 · April 2016

I did a project like that last winter 2014, It seem to me that they attached the parts before puting the two halves of the boat together. Don't trash you old parts away yet. you can re-use the foam, it last forever. and the patterns in the vinyl will help with patterns in rebuilding. I used Some marine and preasure treated plywood and covered all of it with spar varinsh before covering. I had to get a small air rachet to get to some bolts. Also had to drill big holes with a 4 inch hole saw, in some locations to get hand -arm in and out. but drilled the hole where it was to be covered with another peice or seat. Think through it before drilling as you don't want to hurt the strucure of the boat. There is no other way to get to those areas. Used all SS T bolts,lock nuts, washers. The normal plywood you buy today will warp, and twist, Marine ply is the best if you can buy it in your area. But treated is good to work with and will last as long as you own the boat, and a third of the money. Beware that fiberglass will eat you up when ya stick arm in there. good luck

Nucklez · April 2016

Thank you for that. It does appear that there are slots cut out in the fiberglass so they can slide forward and back about two inches. Then screws that go in to hold them in place. I'm wondering if they where redone and someone else put the nuts on the inside of the hull to hold them in place. I just found that I can reach the nuts on three of them, so I will put at least those back in properly and figure out how to handle the remaining two nuts on each side.

As for the wood, we've been getting untreated plywood and covering it in resin. My dad did this years ago and had success. Have any of you tried that?

Michael T · April 2016

@Nucklez...I have always used marine ply but lots of friends have done exactly what your Dad has done with perfect success. Sometimes "old school" is even better than new products!

Nucklez · April 2016

Oh, to clarify something. The board in my picture isn't my dad's work.

This is my personal boat, that's I've owned for about two years now. I've learned lots of lessons on what to look for when buying used boats in the future.

Nucklez · April 2016

@randy56.. Thank you as well. After looking over it a few times, I was able to get a wrench to all but one of the bolts. The one farthest to the front of the bow. Lucky, there is a screw there also, that goes through the outside of the vinyl to hold it in place and can be installed easily from the outside. I may just leave that bolt as a place holder if I can't get to it to get it out. Otherwise, I can get the other four out without a problem. You are right, the fiberglass on the inside of the boat is terrible. I'm going to have to wear long sleeves to work in there for a longer period of time.

We've been debating on how to handle the vinyl. My wife can sew, but we have one of the "plastic" Brother machines. It was expensive for a Brother, but not sure it can handle the thick material. We'd love to do it ourselves, just need to research it a bit more. Maybe search for some posts here about it. Thanks @Michael T and @randy56 for your help! Happy boating!

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