So I’ve been looking at used boats and it may just be me but when I see a boat with seats torn and in bad shape it makes me wonder if the boat has been treated badly as well. Is this crazy thinking? I know a seat can get a rip but I’m OCD and baby things I buy. Thoughts.....

My boat is 19 years old and still on the original seats. It is garage kept but it gets fished hard. The seats are just starting to get a few small tears in them. Sunlight degrades the material seats are made out of. I wouldn't let a little bit of upholstery wear turn you away from a boat unless it is visibly not taken care of

Hello @Swinghead, welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums!

 

Not sure what make or year boat you are looking at, but the elements and use do affect seat covers. I know if you give Ranger the boat serial number, they can make and send you new OME covers. Then either have an upholstery shop fit the covers, or you can do it yourself.

13 hours ago, Swinghead said:

So I’ve been looking at used boats and it may just be me but when I see a boat with seats torn and in bad shape it makes me wonder if the boat has been treated badly as well. Is this crazy thinking? I know a seat can get a rip but I’m OCD and baby things I buy. Thoughts.....

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

IMO, keeping a rig properly stored, cleaned, and maintained saves time and money. 

Big fan of both of those.

My experience has shown that the outside appearance and overall condition of a rig, often carries on through out (and beneath) what can not be seen on the surface.

IOW, if it looks like it was road hard & put up wet, it probably was.

Pretty much the polar opposite of the bold text above. 

A-Jay

I thought we’d be discussing lady’s jeans. Sorry, carry on. 

Seats and carpet can be replaced

Tom

To me, it's kind of like the bed of a pickup. If it is used, it's probably going to show wear. Used doesn't always equal abused though. 

I have Attwood seats that came apart after 2 years.  Terrible seats and the company would not replace them.  The seats are not a reflection of me as a boat owner.  

Its funny because I'm the same way even with vehicles. People use their seats as steps in their boats and that tears the threads and causes the seats to split. My '99 Triton seats are in showroom condition. It doesn't take a lot of work to take care of your investments...

Boat Bling makes a product called Vinyl Sauce that greatly helps to keep seats in mint condition.  I use it regularly and it removes water spots, stains, etc.  It also adds a bit of a protective coat to the surface because, as Hower08 stated, the sun really can do a lot of damage over time.  Spray it on, wipe it off.  Easy peasy