Seat Soaked

[marktwainsonic]

My '89 Sea Ray ended taking on three inches of rain while I was working on the boat cover. Everything dried out fine, except for the captain's seat. The identical passenger seat dried down just fine, but two weeks later the foam from the captain's/driver's side is still saturated. Seat has been removed and turned upside down then set in the sun. Attempts to remove the base have been fruitless (apparently they are free bolted with burrs before the upholstery is attached). Any ideas to get this dried out before it rots (if it hasn't already)?!

 

[oldjeep]

Sounds like the plastic that is normally around the foam is no good and allowed water into the foam.

Put a couple towels on it and sit down. Repeat until that stops working, then put it out in the sun with a fan pointed at it.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Thank you oldjeep. I did do the sit on a towel schtick several times after it soaked my shorts. After awhile, so little bubbled out it didn't really dampen the towel, but you could tell there was still plenty of moisture in there. For whatever reason the water was able to soak up more easily than I am able to get it out. I supposed water set in the seat bucket and soaked up rather than seeped in through the stitching. If I'd known there was going to be a problem, I probably would have pursued a different strategy right away. I was able to sun it as you suggest a couple of days, but have now been on vacation, so it's been in the garage. We'll see what I find when I open up. Thank you!