TOPIC: Taking care of my original seats

The seats in my 61 Glasspar Marathon are in great shape. Is there anything I should be doing to keep them that way?

would of made a nice pic for the calendar. ron

Thanks, I'm new here so didn't get here in time.

just keepem clean and use some kind of armerall on them, But first get some trailer under that transom.......it hurts just looking at that! I can feel the floor starting to HOOK your hull!

There is another set of rollers right in front of those.

She's a beauty....LOL....I had one of those V4s....how many fuel tanks do you carry?!

That is a beautiful boat, especially the upholstery! Hoping you have someplace to store it inside, or at least have a good cover to put over it outside? There's a product that was recommended to me by a guy who does upholstery and canvas work for a living (Thanks Doug V153) called 303 Protectant. It's a kinda pricey, but IMO much better than anything else on the market. It lasts longer than Armor-All, Mequires, or anything else I've tried thru the years. And it doesn't leave everything greasy or slick if you follow the directions. It really softens the vinyl/leather and lasts for months, instead of weeks.

When you're taking care of a 'Glassic as pretty as that one, a few more bucks is well worth the added protection, IMHO!

Nice boat! If the seats have dried out at all, 3M Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer does an amazing job. Isn't a bad product for an annual "tune up". I used it on my 64 CC Aqua Ray and the seats feel and act like new. Original is something that doesn't come around every day. It's worth investing in the good stuff.

Yours looks great too Todd, I'll have to give the 3M stuff a try!

Alloriginal: I am sure the reason you were able to find a boat in the condition that yours is in is because it was kept inside, covered, and out of the weather and away from the sun and rain during its lifetime when not being used. Giving it a good soap and freshwater cleaning after each use is also a must. Finding a way to keep the boat covered and out of the elements is the most critical factor in keeping it as it is now. The tudors reccomendation of using the 3M vinyl cleaner and restorer is also a good one to start with. Brian

Hi,
I would also recomend the 303. DO NOT USE Amorall, it in fact effects the plasticisers in the material and over time will make it brittle. Make no sense given what it is for but, over the years I have had several upholstery jobs done for my resto's and every shop said NO to Armorall.
Upholstery should be cleaned prior to wiping it on.
My 2 cents,
Randy
P.S. gorgeous interior/boat as said before it's only original once and a redo would be big bucks so it's worth taking care of.
Randy

wow ,that boat is in beautiful condition,very nice.
as for armorall,i agree,even on tires,i had a camper that i bought used ,but not very old,but the tires had small cracks all over the side wall,the tire shop i go to siad its from puting armorall on them,over time it broke down the sidewalls anlong with the sun.john

I used the Armor-all as a generic term, I dont use it. My real consern here is the trailer. Boats Must be supported at the transom or a sag will form at the roller,even if its just a few inches away, Its a beautiful boat......just my 2 cents.

Ponyboy, It's easy to stir up a firestorm without even trying/realizing it, huh! (I've gotten some lessons on this, still working on the fine art of being careful about the words I choose.) Valid point on supporting the hull right under the transom. AO, can you move the boat back a few inches so the rear rollers are right under the aft end?

Yea I have lit a few fires here.....I am a factory trained merc and OMC semi retired tech. but I only use my 2 cents.......lol, Oh and yes please support the hull AT the transom, rollers will work.

Alloriginal and Todd - Great looking boats!!!!!!!!!!! I agree absolutely NO ARMORALL, for the reason already stated. I have used the Meguires proudcts with good results but I think I'm going to try the 3M next.

Ponyboy/Mark - He does have a set of rollers under the transom you just can't see them. He stated that earlier in the post, you probably just missed it.

Bob

Thanks everyone I am going to pull the boat back this minute. I will try what ya'all suggested.I keep her covered and undercover. When I got her she was full of all the old gear. I also am going to carry extra gas tanks. I have only had her out for about an hour since I bought her a few years back. Couldn't get the carbs to kick in right. It started right up, didn't spit or sputter, but wouldn't open all the way up. Everyone I took it to in Il. had never worked on old motors, they were all into this electronic stuff so I didn't let them mess with it. Now that I am in Arkansas I have found a retired Master Evinrude Mechanic. He Knows all about the motor. I worked in a Harley shop in Springfield Il. (Bishops) for about five years and I know if you don't know what your doing DON"T MUCK WITH IT.