Seat replacement for 2005 C Dory
- Thread starter CORNFIELD
- Start date
Any good canvas shop can make new seat covers. They are standard Sunbrella. The bottoms should be stapled on with Monel metal staples, not Stainless steel.
The old covers make great patterns. One of the easiest sewing projects on a boat.
As for the foam--there are any number of types and densities of foam. Find one which you are comfortable with.
The old covers make great patterns. One of the easiest sewing projects on a boat.
As for the foam--there are any number of types and densities of foam. Find one which you are comfortable with.
Marco Flamingo
Active member
The best and cheapest way? You know those are mutually exclusive terms, right?
The cheapest has already been addressed. Sunbrella at $22 per yard. I've seen high density foam at places like Lowes and Home Depot that would work. I've also bought monel staples at HD. The whole project shouldn't be more than $65, assuming you have a sewing machine. If not, add $300. I'm not kidding. I just looked at them a week ago and decided to fix my old machine.
If you want the best way, replace them with Attwood suspension seats, or I should say Attwood $u$pen$ion $eat$. $250 each was the cheapest price I could find, but three inches of suspension makes a huge difference in comfort in a 16. Attwood makes the same seat without the suspension and the on line ads aren't always clear which one you are purchasing.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/attwood-- ... P013723986
Mark
The cheapest has already been addressed. Sunbrella at $22 per yard. I've seen high density foam at places like Lowes and Home Depot that would work. I've also bought monel staples at HD. The whole project shouldn't be more than $65, assuming you have a sewing machine. If not, add $300. I'm not kidding. I just looked at them a week ago and decided to fix my old machine.
If you want the best way, replace them with Attwood suspension seats, or I should say Attwood $u$pen$ion $eat$. $250 each was the cheapest price I could find, but three inches of suspension makes a huge difference in comfort in a 16. Attwood makes the same seat without the suspension and the on line ads aren't always clear which one you are purchasing.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/attwood-- ... P013723986
Mark
Marco Flamingo":3bxde5jq said:
I recently replaced the helm seat in my 22, but didn't say anything because it's neither the best or the cheapest :lol: Also, I've only used it "on the trailer" so far. It seems good there, but who knows how it will go in real life boating.
I hated the stock seat in my 22. It was uncomfortable in like ten ways (for me at least). A day underway just became torture and an exercise in shoving various pads and pillows here and there. I tried helm seats any time I'd get to a Cabela's or the like and didn't really find any of them enough better to bother. A friend has a Bentley seat on his mini cruiser and Oh My, is it comfortable. But much too large to fit at the helm in my 22. And for me, I wouldn't even mind spending "more" if I just knew it would be comfortable. It's so hard to tell "online" and I'm much less inclined to spend a bunch just to experiment.
So anyway, I got to thinking about how car seats (which are also sometimes smallish) are so comfortable and ergonomic, but then in the boat we get fabric stapled to a board.... :amgry I also saw where member "bcarli" had used some kind of "stowable" mini van seat on his 25 and loved it. But, he had no idea what kind of seat it was because he'd bought it from Craigslist. I tried to find it by comparing photos to eBay seats but never did find that exact one.
What I did find was a pair of second row "Stow and Go" seats from a 2007 Dodge Mini Van. I wanted one for my RV (vs. the board-like dinette seat), and so it was "free" to try the second one on the boat. It has the usual ability to slide forward and aft (like any car seat), and the back reclines -- plus the back folds down flattish onto the seat (since it is meant to "stow" under the floor in the mini-van). It's not the most plush seat as car seats go, but anything really plush would never fit at the helm. I mocked it up with a swivel and without, and for now decided to try it without (might be a bit tight with a swivel). I set it on two vertical grain fir 1 x 4 cleats and used stainless Tee nuts (I actually forget the details now, but essentially it's stout and there is no intrusion into the locker below). My boat came with a "huge" 15" wheel and I had already been wanting a 13" one, so I changed that at the same time.
We'll have to see how it goes after some longer days underway, but sitting on it on the trailer it seems like a definite improvement. On the "con" side it's heavyish and there are steel parts underneath (car seat tracks, etc.) These could potentially be an issue with a lot of salt air.
I figured I'd write it up after I've given it more of a try, but figured I'd mention it now since you were asking about options.
I have a message into Ron Wright this week (looking for cost) about ordering a couple of new helm seats for our 19. The helm seat in the 22 at the Seattle show was the same depth and width as the standard C-dory seats in our 2003 model but with a higher back and much more supportive foam with side bolsters and a two tone cover. It also says C-Dory across the back and is made right there in the factory with the boats. I talked to Ron and Mark about ordering them separate at the show and while they weren't sure about pricing, they were sure we could work out an order.
I will post the pricing here when I get a response,
Greg
I will post the pricing here when I get a response,
Greg
Marco Flamingo
Active member
thataway":3auh4bka said:
My seats are on a box with a swivel (shown in my pictures). I was concerned about which type of seat would fit, so I ordered a seat from Amazon (Prime). It didn't fit right, so I returned it. The best thing about Amazon Prime is the ease of returning stuff. I tried another. As with Goldilocks, the third seat that I tried was just right so I ordered a second to match.
The swivel that came with the stock CD seat did not fit the new Attwood seat. It was just a tiny bit too small for the seat holes. The swivels seem to be a standard (1/2"?) height and the new swivel fit the holes in the seat and those on the seat box, so no drilling was required and the original hardware worked. My rough calculation is that the SAS seat put my head 3 inches closer to the ceiling (which only leaves me 3 1/2 inches). Seems close, but I didn't even think about it underway.
What I did notice immediately is that driving into chop or crossing a wake when on plane was now smooth. No foreboding "oh no, this is going to hurt." On our latest sea trial, we stopped in at the Pleasant Harbor Marina for a cup of coffee and then headed back into white caps. I managed to spill my coffee when I set it down, but the ride for me was great. On line reviews for the seat almost all mentioned no more sore backs.
It does raise me up just enough so that I want to make a foot rest. I was going to do that anyway, but the additional height from the floor is now noticeable even though my feet can still rest flat on the deck.
I'll probably make basic seat covers for my new seats. Something that I won't mind getting creosote or fish guts on. The seats' only shortcoming is that they are pretty.
Mark
Marco Flamingo
Active member
Just stopped in a Seattle Fabrics to get some supplies. I decided not to buy Sunbrella in the same shade as my original. Sunbrella is good for UV protection and fairly good for shedding rain, but is that really needed for a seat inside the cabin? I decided not and bought marine blue cotton canvas instead. Looks identical to my Sunbrella at half the cost per yard. Might even be more comfortable to sit on.
Mark
Mark
I installed a high back leather 18 wheeler type seat at the helm. Love it! Yes it does not fold forward, but at my age I prefer comfort over galley space.
We also re-covered the facotory dinette seats with leather and my better-half loves it. Keeping the Admiral happy is job one! :lol:
We also re-covered the facotory dinette seats with leather and my better-half loves it. Keeping the Admiral happy is job one! :lol:
Got a price back from the factory of $345 per helm seat and although it sounds pretty steep, we talked about it and remember how nice and comfy they were and seemed like a newer design than came on boats in the past. Did anyone get a pic of the 22 interior at the seattle show? We are going to order a couple for Ari. She deserves them.
Greg
Greg
Again, they look great Greg. Nice job. I asked on the other thread if the fold down flat.
Next question; how much clearance is there from the top of that seat to the steering wheel when you fold it down? As it goes through the process? Could the seat be taller and clear the wheel?
What is the material?
Thanks Greg. Good move.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
:embarrased
Next question; how much clearance is there from the top of that seat to the steering wheel when you fold it down? As it goes through the process? Could the seat be taller and clear the wheel?
What is the material?
Thanks Greg. Good move.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
:embarrased
Harvey and Sunbeam,
The fabric is Sunbrella in the center section and a heavy textured vinyl on the grey sections. Off white might have looked a little better overall but we have a lot of grey around the boat as well. It has a good feel to it and I think it will wear very well. I am not normally a fan of any vinyls but this just feels more substantial than the rest.
The dimensions of the seat base is 18 deep and 19 wide and the standard height is 20 inches total. Those numbers match the standard seat we had pretty closely so I knew they would fit just fine.
Here is a pic with the back folded. note the three bolts holding the back on each side
I raised the back up one notch using the top two standard bolts only for an easy 1.5 inch rise to show the difference here. Two minutes and a phillips screwdriver gives you this option. Another 5 minutes and two screws could double that rise using the standard bracket but I might add a little bit of flat bar for support of that highest option. Add 15 minutes for fabbing of flatbar. I will say in the higher position, the seat felt the same to me so I would only raise them for better folding if needed.
Now this is with the back unbolted and slid upward to the base of the bracket to show the folded position in the highest reasonable adjusted position. I think you would have to raise it another 1-1.5 inches for full flat folding and it could be done with a simple drilled flatbar on each mounting surface. The bolts are long enough to go through another piece.
Please note, the questions about clearance to the steering wheel are harder to answer because we have the seats mounted on sliding and swiveling mounts. If you could tell me the position of your current seat, I could adjust mine to the same position and measure.
Greg
The fabric is Sunbrella in the center section and a heavy textured vinyl on the grey sections. Off white might have looked a little better overall but we have a lot of grey around the boat as well. It has a good feel to it and I think it will wear very well. I am not normally a fan of any vinyls but this just feels more substantial than the rest.
The dimensions of the seat base is 18 deep and 19 wide and the standard height is 20 inches total. Those numbers match the standard seat we had pretty closely so I knew they would fit just fine.
Here is a pic with the back folded. note the three bolts holding the back on each side
I raised the back up one notch using the top two standard bolts only for an easy 1.5 inch rise to show the difference here. Two minutes and a phillips screwdriver gives you this option. Another 5 minutes and two screws could double that rise using the standard bracket but I might add a little bit of flat bar for support of that highest option. Add 15 minutes for fabbing of flatbar. I will say in the higher position, the seat felt the same to me so I would only raise them for better folding if needed.
Now this is with the back unbolted and slid upward to the base of the bracket to show the folded position in the highest reasonable adjusted position. I think you would have to raise it another 1-1.5 inches for full flat folding and it could be done with a simple drilled flatbar on each mounting surface. The bolts are long enough to go through another piece.
Please note, the questions about clearance to the steering wheel are harder to answer because we have the seats mounted on sliding and swiveling mounts. If you could tell me the position of your current seat, I could adjust mine to the same position and measure.
Greg
Aurelia":2ng3ot94 said:
Thanks for the information-packed reply. And the photos make it even better. I don't need tons of clearance from the wheel, so I'd likely be fine with that.
On the fold-flat extensions: Do you think that with that much flat bar (and concomitant seat back elevation when at the helm), that it make the back/lumbar/etc. hit funny when sitting it it?
Also, which swivel/sliding mounts do you have, and do you like them? The mini-van seat I added has built in slide factor; but if that proves not to be comfortable I could see going to these seats. So far I've only tried them "on the trailer" so who knows.
I used a couple of parts I had to add length to the mount and raise it up about 3 inches from normal. This is about as high as one could raise it without any added fasteners or drilling. Raising it further could be done easily with longer flat bar stock but I estimate it would take a rise of about 8 inches to allow the back to fold flat without changing the geometry of the pivot point which would be a much harder modification. The side bolsters are really pretty thick so they make this harder. If you are tying to gain a flat surface next to the galley area, it might be better to modify a couple of cutting boards and build a simple tray that rests level on the tilted seatback. I did try sitting in the seat when it was raised up at about 5 inches and it still felt good.
Example small 3in extension
Example counter extension
Seat Mounts
I did not install our seat mounts so it must have been Joe. It looks like one of these units flipped over
http://www.seafurniture.com/yahoo_site_ ... _large.jpg
Plus one of these mounted to it
http://newcontent.westmarine.com/conten ... 33_FUL.jpg
That is what we have under each seat and you can see they are mounted forward overhanging the seat box a few inches. These work well for us and I actually sit partially swiveled with my feet on the vberth cushion much of the time. We really just using the sliding option sometimes when swiveling the seats for evening use where we have them face eachother.
Greg
Example small 3in extension
Example counter extension
Seat Mounts
I did not install our seat mounts so it must have been Joe. It looks like one of these units flipped over
http://www.seafurniture.com/yahoo_site_ ... _large.jpg
Plus one of these mounted to it
http://newcontent.westmarine.com/conten ... 33_FUL.jpg
That is what we have under each seat and you can see they are mounted forward overhanging the seat box a few inches. These work well for us and I actually sit partially swiveled with my feet on the vberth cushion much of the time. We really just using the sliding option sometimes when swiveling the seats for evening use where we have them face eachother.
Greg
Thanks again for the info. It's really useful.
I now see what you meant with your flat bar stock seat raise. I was thinking of something different that I had saved some photos of (not that I expected you to do this just for showing us!) (see below)
I get what you mean about the thick side bolsters inhibiting the flat fold. Actually, I've never folded my helm seat flat, but it seems like it might be nice sometime in future, so I had saved the mod notes. But I've been fine with the galley counter and table for space so far.
Here is what I was thinking of. I can't remember whose boat this was, unfortunately. Anyway, if you look on the right you can see where the original hinge was cut, and section of angle was riveted in to extend it, allowing the seat to fold flat.
Not sure if this would have any application on the new seats (and since you use them for lounging at anchor I can't see why you'd want to mod yours anyway).
I now see what you meant with your flat bar stock seat raise. I was thinking of something different that I had saved some photos of (not that I expected you to do this just for showing us!) (see below)
I get what you mean about the thick side bolsters inhibiting the flat fold. Actually, I've never folded my helm seat flat, but it seems like it might be nice sometime in future, so I had saved the mod notes. But I've been fine with the galley counter and table for space so far.
Here is what I was thinking of. I can't remember whose boat this was, unfortunately. Anyway, if you look on the right you can see where the original hinge was cut, and section of angle was riveted in to extend it, allowing the seat to fold flat.
Not sure if this would have any application on the new seats (and since you use them for lounging at anchor I can't see why you'd want to mod yours anyway).