Trying to surprise my husband with pontoon overhaul

[iscrap_heboats]

Hi! I am trying to gather info about doing a total overhaul (minus engine, that is perfect) of my husbands CREST III pontoon boat. It is in tough shape from a few bad winters of neglect from previous owner, and I'd really like to at least get the ball rolling on reupholstering the seats, as well as getting a new bimini top, table, grill, and some other fun things to add to it. I know nothing about any of this stuff but really think he deserves a makeover for his boat.

I haven't the slightest clue where to start looking for a local place that can reupholster the seats. I am in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Do only marine shops do this? Or can I just call any furniture place that does furniture? Are there any types of materials I should avoid? I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible, but also do not want to cut important corners. I have a strict budget I have to stick to so I can stay under his radar and do this over the winter. I sure would appreciate any and all advice that can be given to me so I don't smack my head off the wall for making an uninformed decision about something and wasting money.

 

[redneck joe]

welcome to the forum. I think I speak for many here when I say you are a wonderful person for doing this for your husband...


As far as the vinyl, a specific 'marine' shop will probably just farm it out to an upholstery shop and charge you for that service. If you know any marine places, just ask them. When shopping around, get several quotes and several recommendations.

Any good shop will have the correct material, it is just a matter of color.. I buy mine online from same place so I have a go - to for the same color in a couple years.



rj

 

[GT1000000]

Hello and welcome, iscrap_...
What a lucky guy!
OK, first things first...
Spending time and money on the nice things should be second on your list...
The first thing you need to be sure of is that the foundation is solid...
That means making sure the deck is in excellent condition before covering it up with the good stuff and finding out later that it is rotten and crumbling under your feet...
You also mentioned the that it has sat neglected for quite some time...
That means the most expensive part, after the actual cost of the boat, has to be judged to be in excellent working order, and that's the engine...
It may be OK but need some major maintenance...sure would be terrible to spend all that time and money just to find out your motor is no good...
Forum has a great section dedicated to all types of marine engines...
And as far as keeping it a secret...well unless the boat is stored away from the house in an undisclosed location that your husband doesn't know about...boat stuff is usually big and messy...best of luck with keeping it a surprise...
This particular section of the forum, where you are now, can be very helpful throughout the entire project and the folks here are very helpful...
For more specific information about pontoons, there is a section of this forum that is dedicated to pontoon boats and you can get a lot of good advice.
Here is a link...http://forums.iboats.com/forum/general-boating-outdoors-activities/pontoons

One thing we will ask is for pictures of your project.hoto:
2 reasons; they help us see what you see and best be able to give advice and we just love 'em...
The best way to post pics is with a free photobucket account...http://photobucket.com/
More good info on the forum in general is available here...http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...r/295740-how-to-s-and-other-great-information

Again, best of luck and have fun!
GT1M

 

[Mud Puppy]

Welcome iscrap!

You have stumbled upon the best place on the planet for help when it comes to boats of any age or type.

I concur with Joe and GT; you must be a fabulous person and your husband very lucky. Not to scare you into not doing what you planned, but I agree, make sure you (or someone you know) check out the floor and if it hasn't ran, the motor as well. My wife's cousin just went down into Arkansas and brought back a 24 footer that had green fuzzy carpet and sun attacked seats. I checked the floor all out and he is stripping the carpet and my wife is doing the seats. The OB motor just came out of the shop, but the PO's son ran it into a concrete parking bumper and it needs a new lower unit that Dee has already found.

Upholstery isn't cheap, but it's not that bad either. Any good, reputable upholstery shop that does auto seats will be able to do boat seats with ease.

Oh, and BTW, by all means post pictures so we can see your progress and help when you need it!

 

[Bwana Don]

Very cool. Post pictures these guys in this forum are awesome. Ask questions, even if you don't think you need to. Someone has done it and can give you the best way to do it.

Best of luck. Oh btw have you thought about doing the seats yourself?

 

[iscrap_heboats]

Thank you all so much for your responses! I am currently working with a local marina on this project. He was supposed to be completely in the dark but stupid me, while making calls, accidentally left our home number for one of the upholstering places to call back, and needless to say, who do you think answered that call? Anyhow, I will definitely provide photos and have a ton of questions and input requests to make because, while I do enjoy being his boat babe, I know none of this stuff. haha He still wants it all to be a surprise to him, so we will see how far this goes!!