How to Remove Seat Back?

[pda]

Hello,

I have a 2016 205 Freedom, and would like to remove the aft seat backs.

Any ideas on how to get these off?

 

[wrxhoon]

They just lift up.
They have 2 holes at the back, 2 J brackets mounted on the boat and they push down nothing else holding them, pull up and they should come.

 

[JAdams1]

My 2007 Tournament 205 rear cushions have tabs with snaps at the bottom the cushion. Unsnap then lift up like wrxhoon stated.

 

[pda]

Thanks guys, but no tabs that I can find, and I have tried pulling up on them, wont budge. I'll poke around some more tomorrow. Maybe I need to pull up harder, but am afraid of causing damage.

 

[wrxhoon]

well if they haven't moved for 13 years some salt on the J brackets ( high quality S/S , not Chinese) will be a bit hard to pull up. Make sure you are pulling straight up , push them from the bottom up they should come. I only use my boat for fishing so I pulled them off as well, cushions too.

 

[Capt Tom]

I have a 2011 205 and didn't have any luck removing mine without damaging. There a 2 small holes on the bottom of the seat. You have to get a Philips head screwdriver up in there at a difficult angle to remove the screws. I was able to loosen 1 screw but not the other without stripping so I gave up for now. Definitely interested on your outcome.

 

[pda]

I have a 2011 205 and didn't have any luck removing mine without damaging. There a 2 small holes on the bottom of the seat. You have to get a Philips head screwdriver up in there at a difficult angle to remove the screws. I was able to loosen 1 screw but not the other without stripping so I gave up for now. Definitely interested on your outcome.

Thanks Tom,

I do have 2 silver grommets at the bottom of the cushion. I'll poke around in there - any idea how far in the screws are, and what size Philips head you used?

There isnt much clearance, might have to find a screw driver I can cut for this.

 

[seasick]

The screws were put in through those holes and therefore may be angled down a bit . If you take a look ( maybe with a mirror) in the holes while using something thin to push the foam and plastic away, you probably will be able to see the screw heads. They are the more common size screws and it is important to get a good solid fit with the screw driver. Sometimes you can actually feel the screw heads by moving the screwdriver around. You can also located where the screws are by sliding something thin like putty knife under the lip of the seat back and sliding it. You might not be able to get right up to a screw shaft if the cushion is tight but by sliding in from both directions you can get an idea of which grommets are used

 

[JAdams1]

If they are secured with screws, check this thread. Similar to front bolsters.

Bow seats Freedom 275

I have some seams coming apart on my bow seating on my 2011 Freedom 275. 2 questions, is this repairable and how do I remove this part of the seat? Thanks in advance

www.greatgrady.com

 

[pda]

Thank you everyone, I definitely have 2 Phillips screws in those cushions. Used a jewelers screwdriver and felt the screw head and measured the length.

I think I will go buy a screwdriver that is either short enough or has a handle I can cut to length. I felt up around back and could feel the point poking through the boat.

Does anyone have a good solution for some way to make these backs easily removable?

We board our boat via the swim ladder, and getting that cushion back out of the way would make life much easier. I'd keep the seat back in storage only bringing it out when needed.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I just ,like 15 minutes ago, took off my seat backs of my 228. There is a funky bracket and in my boat they used two stainless steel screws they use to catch the bottom and hold tension with the bracket .

 

[JAdams1]

You can have an upholstery shop make some tabs with snaps like the earlier tournaments had. They are attached with staples so you don't have to take your factory cushions apart. Installing the mating snap piece on the boat is easy.

 

[pda]

You can have an upholstery shop make some tabs with snaps like the earlier tournaments had. They are attached with staples so you don't have to take your factory cushions apart. Installing the mating snap piece on the boat is easy.

Thank you!!

 

[wrxhoon]

On my 2013 228G they don't use the screws the backs just fit over the J brackets. if you need to move them often maybe don't use the screws.
On my old 228G the bolsters wrapped around the back all one piece, they had several screws and they are angled down but I didn't find it difficult to remove them. Use a medium size Phillips and careful not to jump it on the head .

 

[seasick]

If you have screws which it seems you do, they were installed through the grommets and a regulat screwdriver will get them out. You go into the grommet and 'feel' around for the head. Seat the screwdriver and lift it up a bit to make sure you are squarely seated in the screw. Then unscrew. No need to cut a screwdriver.

 

[Capt Tom]

OK I borrowed this from the link above. The diagram shows the J Bracket and screw angle. So when I tried to back my screws out it felt like they were screwed into the fiberglass and not a bracket.

 

[seasick]

They are screwed into tho the fiberglass. I assumed that was understood
One thing I learned is that it is pretty hard to get the screws back into the same hole so don't even try. Before remounting the new cushions, fill the old screw holes with a dab of 4200, 5200, LifeSeal, or whatever you have on hand.
Use an electric screw gun to install the screws. If you have trouble, drill a small pilot hole first, just make sure the cushion doesn't move.

 

[Capt Tom]

Success. I revisited this as a result of this thread. Was able to remove the problem screw and therefore both seat backs. I need to get these things restitched before they come apart.

 

[seasick]

Good news!

 

[wrxhoon]

One thing I learned is that it is pretty hard to get the screws back into the same hole so don't even try.

I agree , I found out when I did mine, I managed to find the old holes but took a long time. With the long bolsters i found once I put 2 screws in the others were easier to find.