CONTINUOUSWAVE

I've searched and can't find the exact answer to my question. Is it normal for the RPS seat cushion on a 1983 Montauk to take a "set" on the forward and aft edges of the cushion due to the seat back sitting and pressing down on the cushion? Hopefully the question makes sense. On my 1983 Montauk 17, the aft edge of the seat is crushed and permanently pushed down from the pressure of the seat back resting in that position.

Thanks in advance.
Rod

A pic would help but many people put a thicker cushion on there when they have the seat redone. This would cause that. A stock cushion would have a mark where the seat back always sits but not be crushed.

I have a 1987 Montauk. My seat cushion also is squished. I have recently started to leave the seat back in the middle so it's not touching the cushion.

Crusty,
Fold a bath towel and put it between the wood on the bottom of the Reversible Pilot seatback and the seat cushion to prevent the wood from exerting a constant pressure on the vinyl covering of the cushion and the foam in the cushion. This will help to avoid (a) discoloration of the cushion vinyl, and (b) constant pressure on both the foam in the cushion and the vinyl covering, which is what can cause a permanent stretching of the vinyl and compression of the foam. Leave the towel in place during use. Leaving the RPS in a different position after each use will also help.
Ken

It happens.

After ~35 years, you might want to treat yourself to a new one.

Anderson's makes replacements with the original tan pleating and piping. Whaler quality. Call/email Tena.
http://www.amfg.us

Thanks everyone for your replies and information. This is my first Whaler and it’s very helpful to hear other’s experience. My first thought was that there would be a metal or rubber “stop”, fixed to the z-side seat, against which the side arms of the reversible seat would rest. Instead it appears that the seat goes all the way back until the bottom edge of the seat back rests against the cushion. It makes sense that eventually the cushion will take a set and that swapping the position and leaving the seat back in the middle during storage helps delay the inevitable.

I’m going to use the towel method for the time being. Bow rail stanchions and gunwale connections were first (or shroud it be gunWHALE when referring to a WHALER?), soft deck repair is second, and then a rewire when it cools off and the skeeters are down.

Much appreciated.