Seat Cushion and Seal

[HangOutdoors]

I was noticing that under each seat that is hinged that there there really is no seal or stripping. When I hose out the crevices around the seats water roles over. Also the seats, when shut hard, come right down on the gelcoat.

Since I am doing weather stripping on the window, and of course they don't sell a little bit, I have 20 + feet of it, what if I were to run some pieces around the bottom of the seat cushions for a bit of a water seal and protectant?

Has anyone done this? Would there be a reason not to?

 

[F.M.]

I've thought about sticking some to the seat bottom myself, just haven't done it. I don't get a lot of water under them when we hose the boat out though, just a few drips occasionally.

 

[Evanfspencer]

I was noticing that under each seat that is hinged that there there really is no seal or stripping. When I hose out the crevices around the seats water roles over. Also the seats, when shut hard, come right down on the gelcoat.

Since I am doing weather stripping on the window, and of course they don't sell a little bit, I have 20 + feet of it, what if I were to run some pieces around the bottom of the seat cushions for a bit of a water seal and protectant?

Has anyone done this? Would there be a reason not to?

Did you ever try the weather strip under the seats? If so, did it keep water out of the storage compartments?

I'm having to dry out the storage areas after almost every time I take the boat out...

 

[mrcleanr6]

Pretty sure my seats came with the gasket under the seats. Its just that 3/16” thick, white multi rib type

 

[HangOutdoors]

Did you ever try the weather strip under the seats? If so, did it keep water out of the storage compartments?

I'm having to dry out the storage areas after almost every time I take the boat out...

I never did do this. I still have the thin gasket material and may revisit it later this week when I am installing the SeaDek

 

[drewkaree]

As we were doing our hose out this past weekend, my wife asked me about this exact same issue. I would consider adding the gasket to the gelcoat side, not the seats. The adhesive qualities of whatever that seat bottom material is doesn't seem to be as good as when you stick something to the gelcoat

 

[Evanfspencer]

Pretty sure my seats came with the gasket under the seats. Its just that 3/16” thick, white multi rib type

Is this the same gasket that's under the wet storage lid?

 

[anmut]

Reasons that come to my mind on why not to add a gasket.

1) Keeps water out, but also, keeps moisture in (if you forget to lift the seats when putting into storage).
2) Gasket material will attract dirt and sand.
3) Gasket could create enough of a gap that wind could blow the seat up/off if towing without a cover.

 

[mrcleanr6]

Is this the same gasket that's under the wet storage lid?

Yes, atleast on my boat

 

[Evanfspencer]

Reasons that come to my mind on why not to add a gasket.

1) Keeps water out, but also, keeps moisture in (if you forget to lift the seats when putting into storage).
2) Gasket material will attract dirt and sand.
3) Gasket could create enough of a gap that wind could blow the seat up/off if towing without a cover.

All good points to consider. Fortunately, I store my boat in my garage, so I'm not too worried about forgetting to lift the seats up. I'd likely think of it the next day if I forgot.

I think the strongest point is #3, but I think it depends on what time of gasket material used. I plan to use something that compresses easily, so the seats shouldn't ride any higher than normal...

 

[mrcleanr6]

I stand corrected. Yamaha does not use the white stuff. Here is the underside of my seats. Yamaha uses the light “D” gasket for this spot. #1 above would certainly apply. i have not seen 2 or 3 happen, especially 3 and my bow seats open aft. you can see in the picture so those would be the ones most prone to catching any kind of air.