This Donzi Upholstery Work Is Unacceptable!

[Carl C]

A couple of years ago I ran a thread to try to determine why my back seat was falling apart after five years. We finally chalked it up to the idea that something got used on it that shouldn't have been. I ordered a complete new seat bottom from Donzi Direct which was drop shipped by PPI. The new seat was put in the boat in spring of 2012 so it has 2 1/2 Michigan boating seasons on it in fresh water. The boat is always stored indoors. NOTHING has been used on this new seat bottom and it is starting to fall apart like the original one did. I will never use Donzi Direct or PPI for any future upholstery work. The current damage does not show up well in the pics. Also here is a pic of the original seat after 5 or 6 years. This seat does not get abused. It is never touched during the winter. It simply gets sat on and lounged on. I've had other boats with upholstery that was used the same way and was still good after 20 years. WTF?

[gcarter]

You may, or may not, want to try a local shop for replacement, but I think I'd certainly try to contact PPI. I'm sure they'd like to know what happened to your seat.

[smokediver]

Don't let people with swamp ass sit on your seats !

[Ghost]

How much use does that get and by whom?

though I doubt it's the issue, one thing that they say to keep off do your vinyl is suntan lotion. Which could get on there despite any boycott on cleaning products.

Out of curiosity, where is the damage relative to where your knees go when opening the hatch and fooling around in the motorbox?

[Greg Guimond]

That's ridiculous and I'd think PPI would replace it for free Carl.

[Ghost]

That's ridiculous and I'd think PPI would replace it for free Carl.

Unless there is something seriously bizarre happening to it, I agree completely.

[gcarter]

OK, I'm confused.....I just pulled out my upholstery the other day and decided it had to go. As far as I could tell though, it may have been original judging by pleating style and condition of the bucket seat plywood and the original seat sliders.
When I bought the boat 7 years ago, it was a tossup as to additional life, but now there's no way I'd have put it back in.
But, in any case, the boat was built 27 years ago.
So, what's the difference? Materials? Long winters? Dirty friends w/loads of sun screen?
Carl, any idea if PPi built the original set?

[Greg Guimond]

As I think about it I'm now wondering if PPI did that cushion. They have a top shelf reputation along with Fineline in Florida. I have never seen anyone complain about there work. Is it possible that Donzi Direct had something drop shipped from PPI that another shop did? Perhaps Donzi Direct was scrambling to fill orders and just used a PPI box to ship it. Just doesn't make sense, that's a hack job unless there was a vendor materials batch "defect". If there was PPI will back it with a new one.

[ralphcrocker]

I think they will cover it. That is terrible. Best of luck.

[Tidbart]

Carl
Did they send you the complete cushion, foam and all, or just a new cover?

Bob

[Carl C]

It was a complete new cushion with new foam, water barrier & upholstery. It sees suntan oil and sunscreen but who's boat doesn't? The same products that did not cause damage to my Hydrostream or ProCraft in the past. Yes, I kneel on the center to open the hatch quite often. This damage is starting more on the starboard side and it will only get worse. I will take the advice given here and contact PPI about it. George, I don't recall who made the original seat. The boat was bought new and is a 2005 model. Strangely, the front seats are holding up well and they get stepped on often when boarding the boat or stepping in off the bow (bare feet only in my boat).

[Ghost]

I doubt suntan lotion or oil is likely the culprit or even a serious contributing factor, but from your statement you'd be surprised how widely that varies from boat to boat.

I have trouble believing PPI won't just take care of it.

[Tidbart]

My 22 interior is17 years old and spent time in Michigan and Florida. It has been stepped on, kneeled on, layed on, and sat on. It has had lotions, sunscreens, and cleaners all over it just like most boats. It is still in excellent shape. Something just isn't right here. I, like most here, am interested in what PPI will say. If anyone will know, they will. I am sure they know their suppliers products and will know where to go for the answers. I am sure they will get to the bottom of it.
Hope this works out well for you.

Bob

[Morgan's Cloud]

This is definitely a bit of a mystery and you sure don't deserve to go through it twice . By any chance do those spots coincide with EXACTLY where your knees would be when kneeling on the seats to open the engine hatch ?

If it was me and there was no way I could figure it out I'd be tempted to get an independent and very highly regarded marine upholstery / canvass specialist to look at if and give their opinion .
If they don't have a dog in the fight they could have / give some interesting input .

[Tidbart]

It was a complete new cushion with new foam, water barrier & upholstery.

The reason I asked about this is I was wondering if there was some interaction between the foam and the vinyl. I guess that could still be the case in that there is still foam in the tuck and roll.

Bob