2001 28TE helm chairs

[Mike Monte]

The helm chairs on my 2001 28TE are getting long-in-tooth (chipped/ratty) so it's time to re-upholster/replace.
They are chaulk white....

Have you found it more cost-effective to re-upholster or just purchase a couple of new seats??

If you have purchased new seats, where is a good place to start looking? There are tons of places online but someone out the may have recent experience with a good vendor.

Any advise??

Mike M

[Tree]

I wanted to keep mine looking OEM so had them reupholstered - for the seats and modifications to the engine box cushion with new foam cost me £350. I have just dropped the bolsters off and engine box cover to match the new seats and that is £250 to be completed. Much cheaper than new seats IMO

[coolchange]

If the structure is good and the dimensions are suitable go for the re-do. If the existing is rotted, broken, bolts loose and untightenable...cheaper to fix IMHO)
My 27 came with canvas director chairs (tall)...no attachment to boat at all and a good wake/wave required a "grab something quick" move...very unsafe. (A search of consignment shops and I got a adjustable pedestal and a really nice capt. chair (all less than $200)

[Pitou]

Are your chairs like the one that I have pictured here? If so they are from Bristol Cusions in RI. As already stated they can easily be recovered.

CIMG0913 - Copy.jpg

[Nancy]

Kevin, your seats look like ours, which are Pompanette. I don't know if that model is still available. Ours have been reupholstered, and they look like new. We also did a ton of polishing on the aluminum hardware.

[Pitou]

Nancy, My 2002 28 TE 's helm seats had Bristol Cushions labels on them as did all of the other soft goods on that boat. My 2006 helm seat is a duplicate. Pompanette had something very similar, but a little different. I saw the posts from you and Norseman on how you both brought the hardware back on your helm seats .. Nice job!

This is the last info that I had if they're still in business:
Bristol Cushions Inc
31 Birchwood Dr
Bristol, RI 02809
401-247-4499

[catalina_mike]

Here is a old thread..
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10582&hilit=seat
Here is a link to my project.
http://photo.pacificwestcontrols.com/~M ... ens/photo/
password for albin folder is albin then seats for seats

[Pitou]

Here is a old thread..
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10582&hilit=seat
Here is a link to my project.
http://photo.pacificwestcontrols.com/~M ... ens/photo/
password for albin folder is albin then seats for seats

I replaced my Albin deluxe in my 31 TE with a Lexington reclining low back with headrest too .. pretty comfy.

[Mike Monte]

As I understand, Bristol Cushion has closed. (The tag on the underside of my engine-box cushion is Bristol Cushion.)
however
after making a ton of calls in the Bristol, RI area, I found a canvas/cushion shop that brings in the former owner of Bristol Cushion as a part-time employee.....
I will reupholster if possible.

[Mike Monte]

Follow-up:
Yesterday I went down to my boat (before last night's snow..), removed the chairs and brought them to:
https://kenscanvasandcushions.weebly.com/
Ken's is the place where the retired owner of Bristol Cushion works part time (he was there when I visited).

Ken checked out the seats and will send me a quote to reupholster.. He said that the foam still felt quite good...

I also brought the engine-box cushion and he told me that it does not need to be refinished....just "steam cleaned" (because they usually get soiled mostly with sunscreen).

[Mike Monte]

Following up:
This past week I picked up my reupholstered chairs from Ken's.
Excellent - they look/feel brand new!
Great workmanship.
Reasonable price.

[LISal]

Seats from a grady white fit perfect that's what i have in my 28te. I also think they are aesthetically pleasing. I have only put 2.5 hours on her so far and maybe spent 5 hours in the chair and seems comfy. I am not sure how i will feel about it after sending weeks in it lol. I may look to change to something more plush but have space restrictions.