New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

A conversation among Whalers
Pearlybaker
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Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 12:11 pm

New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby Pearlybaker » Sun May 24, 2020 12:28 pm

I just took delivery of a new 2019 170 DAUNTLESS. When I got the 170 DAUNTLESS back to the dock after a short test run at the marina, I noticed the bow cushions were wet. I assumed the [dealer] prepped the boat and it rained overnight. After inspecting the cushions, I was shocked to see that the bottom of the cushions were open mesh with foam inside. The inside edges of the foam were still sopping wet a day later as were the inside lining of the vinyl, in spite of being left out in the wind and sun.

Q1: are the cushions on my just-delivered 2019 170 DAUNTLESS normal?

Q2: or, do I have defective cushions?

Q3: if I pull out the foam from the cushion to dry, can the foam be put back into the cushion?

I think putting the foam back into the cushion won’t go easily.

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Phil T
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Re: Dauntless Cushions

Postby Phil T » Sun May 24, 2020 1:20 pm

You really should be discussing this with your sales person at the dealership.
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jimh
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby jimh » Sun May 24, 2020 8:02 pm

Pearlybaker wrote:Q3: if I pull out the foam from the cushion to dry, can the foam be put back into the cushion?


I don’t think all readers who come across this question are likely to have first-hand experience in removing the foam from your cushions and later putting back dried the foam into your cushions.

Did you order the factory option for the bow cushions? If so, you can call Boston Whaler customer service. They are more likely to be able to answer your question about the degree of difficulty to put foam that was removed from a cushion while wet back into the cushion while dry.

I seriously doubt that procedure is considered to be part of routine care and maintenance. Check the owner’s manual for advice. The Boston Whaler owner’s manuals are very comprehensive.

Pearlybaker
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby Pearlybaker » Sun May 24, 2020 9:05 pm

Thanks - Whaler suggests taking foam out of wrappers and drying them.

I put them in a room with a dehumidifier and it dried them out fully. Hopefully they were left in rain overnight and or someone at marina sprayed them when cleaning boat got pick up - not a situations I plan to replicate.

jimh
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby jimh » Sun May 24, 2020 10:40 pm

I hope you got a good cover for the boat to keep it dry during rain. Freshwater can be a problem. You can get mold and mildew from freshwater sitting on the boat when not in use.

Jefecinco
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby Jefecinco » Mon May 25, 2020 10:35 am

I recommend you remove all the cushions from your Dauntless before turning it over to the marina. Store your cushions at home until the next use. It would take as much as five minutes to remove or install the cushions. Take a few minutes to wipe the cushions and give them a 303 treatment. I find after ten years of use the cushions on our Boston Whalers look better than new by using the aforementioned method.
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jimh
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby jimh » Mon May 25, 2020 8:15 pm

Re the recommendation for "303", that most likely refers to the 303 AEROSPACE PROTECTANT brand, and specifically to their product ULTIMATE UV PROTECTION FOR VINYL, RUBBER, and PLASTIC.

There is a very large number of products sold under the branding "303", so you need to get the specific product intended for the specific material.

I use Aerospace 303 FABRIC GUARD on my boat's Sunbrella fabric weather canvas. It is a good product. I expect the vinyl/rubber/plastic product will be similarly good.

Pearlybaker
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Re: New 2019 170 Dauntless Cushion Defect

Postby Pearlybaker » Sat May 30, 2020 9:34 pm

Thanks for the tip on the 303 - I will definitely check out.