240 Sundeck Winter re-upholstery project

Espos4

Well-Known Member
Jan 1, 2017
3,007
Long Island NY
Boat Info
2007 240 Sundeck
Engines
350 MAG Bravo 3 W/DTS
With the thread dried out and the cushions cracked and opened up along several seams, I’ve decided to take on a winter’s long project of making new covers for the cushions.

Before shrink wrapping, I removed all of the cushions. The captain chairs are in good shape, so I dont plan on tackling them this winter.

Stay tuned for some pictures and progress updates.
 
With the thread dried out and the cushions cracked and opened up along several seams, I’ve decided to take on a winter’s long project of making new covers for the cushions.

Before shrink wrapping, I removed all of the cushions. The captain chairs are in good shape, so I dont plan on tackling them this winter.

Stay tuned for some pictures and progress updates.

If you need any help or advice give me a shout. You can get my contact info at www.covemarine.com or PM here.

-Kevin
 
Sailrite has a bunch of online videos with everything from setting up a sewing machine and how it works, to projects such as making piping and replacing cushions.

Watching them convinced me that this was something that i could do myself.

Bristol Upholstery has all the OEM material I needed. Their customer service is top notch.

All material and supplies arrived by early January.
 
Sailrite has a bunch of online videos with everything from setting up a sewing machine and how it works, to projects such as making piping and replacing cushions.

Watching them convinced me that this was something that i could do myself.

Bristol Upholstery has all the OEM material I needed. Their customer service is top notch.

All material and supplies arrived by early January.

Sailrite are great people. I have even deal personally with Matt Grant who is very nice. I recommend them and have their equipment. I also use a local wholesale distributor for supplies too. They are a family run business and always happy to help so if you need anything in a pinch let me know.

My biggest advice is take lots of pictures from every angle. Then when done ... Take more invariably you will need to reference something.

Also, if you are using your old skins as templates mark them up considerably before disassembly. You will want matchup marks when assembling, especially with longer pieces.

When it comes to finally putting the skins on you will want a upholstery stapler and stainless staples to get into tight spots.

And one last thought: you always can change things up to make this your own. When I did my 260da I completely changed colors and made adjustments to the patterns to suite my needs.

Again, let me know if you need anything.

-Kevin
 
986B355D-2D11-4452-AAC9-4B918DA6212B.jpeg
Thanks for the advice.

I have an electric upholstery stapler and the stainless staples.

I tested the staples in salt water before beginning. Soaked them for 24 hours then let them sit exposed to the air.

Here’s a bow cushion marked up before disassembly.
 
And the finished product.


View attachment 64308

Looking good... take is slow and do not rush... that's where mistakes happen otherwise it's one stitch at a time.

My personal winter project is almost complete. I am working on a full winter cover for my 340sda and taking the same approach - just a lot more stitching ;) Oh, and its probably going to weight in close to 65 lbs :( It's designed to outlast my ownership of the boat.

-Kevin
 
Still working at it.
7 cushions done, 7 more to go.
Thanks to Kevin for his advice.
He took the time to answer some questions I messaged him.

There are so many little area that pop up and cause trouble.

Best advice I got, take it slow (thanks again Kevin)

I sent 3 white vinyl pieces out to have the “Sea Ray” embroidered onto it for the bow seats and engine cover backrest.

Here’s the most recently completed cushion, the seat bottom for the engine cover.

7F5582E2-DCAE-4B83-8B7C-FFA9C527910A.jpeg
 
So I’ve hit a road block. I’m working on the bow cushions. There are thin bolsters that attach to the side wall and curve as they approach the bow.

I completed the port side cushion and it looks good. The starboard side just wont go on without wrinkling badly. I don’t know why the port side was so easy. The worst part is I cannot figure out why the starboard one keeps wrinkling!

Time to walk away for a day or so.

Here’s a picture of them (top and bottom)with the original upholstery on them.

C24114FD-D59D-4C11-80C5-EF8A43D3FB96.jpeg
 
Last edited:
So I’ve hit a road block. I’m working on the bow cushions. There are thin bolsters that attach to the side wall and curve as they approach the bow.

I completed the port side cushion and it looks good. The starboard side just wont go on without wrinkling badly. I don’t know why the port side was so easy. The worst part is I cannot figure out why the starboard one keeps wrinkling!

Time to walk away for a day or so.

Here’s a picture of them (too and bottom)with the original upholstery.

View attachment 65079

Wrinkles that can not be worked are usually from one part of the material pulling the other (maybe over stretched during sewing). Looking at your pictures I see dimples, is that what you are talking about?

-Kevin
 
Those dimples are in the original upholstery.

I just posted that picture to show the cushions that I was referring to.
 
Inside curves are tough. Make sure you are patterning the inside curve at the same degree of curve or even a bit more curve than when it is installed the boat. When it is re-installed, it should pull the curve a bit wider making the vinyl tight in the radius.
 
Thank you.

Yes, I was having a difficult time making the pattern because once the old vinyl is removed, the foam and plastic backing straightened out.

I’ll come back to it and let you know how it turns out.
 
I sent you a private message
 
Thank you.

Yes, I was having a difficult time making the pattern because once the old vinyl is removed, the foam and plastic backing straightened out.

I’ll come back to it and let you know how it turns out.


Did you add the match up marks before removing the vinyl? If you did you should be able to template from the old skins when they are flat and use them to gauge your sewing of the panels? Also remember that the matchup lines would be at the seam and not at the end of the allowance. On a curve that will make a difference.

-Kevin
 
That was one of my mistakes. I laid the cushion flat, traced it, added 1/2” allowance and made the cut.

No scolding please, I learned my lesson.
Tracing the foam has worked very well for me with the flat seat cushions. Obviously doesn’t work in his application.

I spent some time on it this morning and things are looking good.
 
...No scolding please, I learned my lesson...

No scolding... just trying to be helpful and let you learn from our mistakes. The first bigger piece I worked on I forget to make all my match marks before removing the skin. Trying to put it back together was a nightmare. I wound up having to make additional alterations in hidden spots to correct for this. The final piece looked great - took me about three times as long as it should have and certainly was not done the way I expected. Now I am a little excessive about marking up and taking pictures.

-Kevin
 
Cushions are looking great. I’ve got to break down and do something about the ones in my kids 18’ Maxum. They’re really terrible.
 

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