Vinyl problem's & solutions

[MrG]

 I have a 2012 2575 QCW. All of the seat base cushions have either started to fail or have completely failed. Bennington Has graciously replaced them all but In my opinion they are only to fail down the road. 


Here is the problem my my  particular vinyl issues.  I have the Pillow Top Fawn with  ostrich skin,  interior color combination. What I have found is the vinyl is very soft and plush and it requires a French seam. A French seam allows the re-distribution of the pressure on where the 2 vinyl pieces are sewen together. A  traditional seem places lots of pull across the seem and if the 2 pieces of vinyl are soft this is what happens 

 

[MrG]

The threads will start to tear threw the softer material and cause the viny to fail at the seem.

 

[MrG]

It starts out very small but over time the stitching holes expand and it fails. Especially under a hot sun where the vinyl becomes softer. 


A French seem is the fix. It's more expensive to produce but if it keeps the vinyl from failure then I think it's worth it in the long run. Here is a French seem on my wakeboard boats interior. This vinyl on my 2002 Nautique sun deck is 12 years old. All the stitching is still in great shape. The boat has 1000 hrs on it. 

 

[lakeliving]

I think they used the French seam on older models. I want to say my inlaws 2008 R has it.

 

[MrG]

I spoke to a rep at Bennington. I told him about said issue. And I think anyone in the Vinyl upholstery business would agree, the current way Bennington is constructing the interior pieces they are bound to fail. In my opinion the traditional seem works with heavy duty material but the stuff I have on my Q is just far to soft to for a traditional seem to last.  Or Switch to a less soft material that can take the abuse at the seem, but in my opinion switching to a French seem at the High Wear areas (seat bases) would fix the issue.

 

[MrG]

I would be Intrested in doing a test. French Seem Vs Traditional Seem. Take a seat base and do 1/2 of the seam with a Traditional and the other 1/2 with a French I'm very confident that the results would show the French would hold up much better. 

 

[Michiman]

Bummer! I hope Bennington is listening as it might get pretty expensive warranting seams for ten years.