SOLVED - Help...how to remove headrest and bolster seats?

[JAUGA82]

Does anyone know how the headrest and bolster seats are removed from the captains chair? I have a 2010 AR240 and I'm replacing ALL the gray VINYL because the place I bought it from tried to cover up the severely damaged portions by airbrushing all of it a dull gray color that doesn't match at all. Since I wanted to replace the cracked and deteriorating parts, I have to replace all of it. I found a guy in Panama City who does fantastic work, and he's dirt cheap...literally about 75% cheaper than the few local marine upholsterers around Bham. I shipped him all my cushions via freight and he's sending them back when he's done. Check out my skid I framed up...that's a properly built transportation vessel, if I don't say so myself. I couldn't figure out how to get the bolster and headrest off, so I was going to just mail them later. I have a feeling you have to remove the staples to get at the bolts/screws.



Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Julian]

Did you look at the schematics on one of the parts sites like yamahasportsplaza? (I'm going to look now)

 

[JAUGA82]

Thanks Juilan, yea unfortunately the diagram just shows the seat a single piece.

 

[Julian]

I read your post to fast and thought you were talking about the bow seat headrests. Its the captains chair you are asking about....I've never seen one of those disassembled....even on part out sites like Greatlakesskipper. I wonder if they are just stitched together....

 

[JAUGA82]

Looks like I was able to answer my question, and thankfully right before I was about to start pulling staples. I was actually trying to lift up the bottom seat cushion to squeeze an inspection camera in and noticed it shifted upwards a little. Pulled a little harder and it gave a little more, eventually popping off. So here's a write up on removing the headrest and bolster seats. It should be the same for all but the 2015+ ARs.

1. Lift up on front end of bottom seat cushion. It will take some effort. The front of the cushion is secured with the same kind of plastic fasteners used on automotive trim. I broke the one on the right off when removing.



After the cushion is off, you have access to the bolster bracket screws. Be careful, they strip easily. I had to drill one out bc I couldn't even remove it with screw extractors.


2. Remove the single screw that secures the back cushion. It's hidden at the bottom center. The cushion lifts off easily.

3. Remove the headrest by removing a screw on the front bottom, a screw inside the hollow plastic seat frame, and two 7/16" bolts the secure the headrest to the top of the seat frame.





The bolts are a little hard to get to. I used a pivoting ratchet and deep socket. Once the 2 screws and 2 bolts are removed, it pulls right off with a good tug.



Hope this helps someone. I literally spent hours searching the Internet for instructions on this process.

 

[buckbuck]

Josh, thanks for the write up. I have problems with my seat and will have to take it apart.

 

[JAUGA82]

Got my cushions back. He did a FANTASTIC job. Only $800 labor plus about $500 in OEM vinyl and $300 freight round-trip. In the pic, I was conditioning the vinyl before I install them back in the boat.

 

[Beachbummer]

Hey, who did that for you??? Looks great, and for a great price.

 

[JAUGA82]

Hey, who did that for you??? Looks great, and for a great price.

Man, believe it or not. . .the guy specifically asked that I not give his name out to us YJBers. After I got the cushions back and saw what a great job he did, I told him I could send a lot of business his way through this forum. But, he said because our cushions were such a PITA, he'd prefer that I not. I'm sorry!

 

[swatski]

Got my cushions back. He did a FANTASTIC job. Only $800 labor plus about $500 in OEM vinyl and $300 freight round-trip. In the pic, I was conditioning the vinyl before I install them back in the boat.

View attachment 31559

Wow, I just looked at it. This guy's work is amazing, especially considering the price.
Well, I guess that is neither here nor there! LOL.

--

 

[Beachbummer]

I understand how some jobs are such a pita that you may honor the first commitment, but you may say never again for the skill/time/effort required.

Thanks for following up

 

[txav8r]

I don't need cushions done...but just wonder, business is business. Even if he doesn't want to do them at the same price, his work is good. How about you edit the price out of this thread, and not repeat it. Then post his contact info if he wants the business at a different price? Just an idea...

 

[Beachbummer]

I respectfully disagree. If the guy asked his info not be shared, and did a good job, I would honor that. Contacting him again to see if he changed his mind is one thing, but since indicated earlier he does not want future jobs, and Specifically asked his info not be shared in the forum, I don't see the upside to going against his wishes. (At least without a proper conversation with him, otherwise it seems a recipe to just make him mad)

My humble thoughts.

 

[txav8r]

I respectfully disagree. If the guy asked his info not be shared, and did a good job, I would honor that. Contacting him again to see if he changed his mind is one thing, but since indicated earlier he does not want future jobs, and Specifically asked his info not be shared in the forum, I don't see the upside to going against his wishes. (At least without a proper conversation with him, otherwise it seems a recipe to just make him mad)

My humble thoughts.

I think you totally misread my post if it is my post you are replying to. I specifically said if "then post his contact information if he wants the business at a different price." I would never just post someones contact info, especially if they asked not to. Maybe I misread his post, but I read it that he didn't want anymore business at the price that he did this work for as the Yamaha seats were more difficult to work on. Who knows, someone may find that even double the price is worth it. Many contractors bid high when they will take work but don't need it, and then bid low when they don't have work and want some income even if it isn't at the best rate. Things change, and if he is in the upholstery business, certainly there is some level where the work will be attractive. Just my opinion.

 

[Beachbummer]

You are right. I misread your "If", so my post is based on a false premise.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Thanks for setting me straight as civilly as you did!