How to Replace Your Pontoon's Vinyl Seats and Save Money, Too

!±8± How to Replace Your Pontoon's Vinyl Seats and Save Money, Too

When my husband and I purchased a 1998 Fisher pontoon boat for what we thought was a steal, the first thing we needed to do is replace the dry-rotted vinyl on all the seats. The pontoon had been sitting in the sun for eight years and every seat had vinyl that was cracked and split with the foam rubber padding exposed, rotting, and disintegrating each time it was touched. It did not provide for a comfortable seating arrangement; after all, the reason you purchase a pontoon is to be able to take all your friends along with you on the river. When we visited the nearby marine upholstery shop we were shocked to discover that it was going to cost upwards of 00 to have someone else reupholster our boat. As a mediocre seamstress I decided that I would look into doing the job myself.

Materials needed for this project: sharpened heavy duty scissors, marine vinyl, heavy duty leather needles for your sewing machine, heavy duty thread, sheets of foam rubber (1" thick), foam adhesive, stainless steel pins, a durable seam ripper, staple gun, stainless steel staples, long handled screw driver, pliers, power screwdriver, zip lock bags, a marker,

Step 1

First I visited my near-by cloth shop to see what they had available. After checking the Internet for marine vinyl I was surprised to find a wide variety of colors at Hancock Fabrics and the cost was reasonable, better than the online prices. If your cloth shop does not have marine vinyl, ask them if they could order it for you. With that stated let me remind you that dark colors attract and hold the heat. They also fade quickly so I would suggest for your comfort and for the wear choose a light color like cream or white. While there I also purchased heavy duty leather needles for my Singer sewing machine. That's right, I used my old sewing machine to do all the work, but buy at least two packages of the needles for leather. I would also purchase the longest pins the store carries. Look for the foam rubber in the store. Purchase several sheets of the flat 1" thick foam that can be placed over the worn, disintegrating foam that has been exposed to the sun.

Step 2

Remove the seats from the boat and disassemble the seats, such as the seat cushion, backrests and any other covered pieces. Begin by first removing all of the hardware that attached each seat to the boat. Thank goodness for power screwdrivers! Once the hardware is removed from the seat, place them in one of the zip lock bags and label it for each seat. This way you will not lose anything and it will make it easier to put the seats back and ensure a good fit.

Step 3

When the seats are disassembled, the next step is to remove the covers from the seating frame. Turn the seats upside down and remove the fabric by lifting the staples from underneath. In my case my frame was plastic, still in very good shape, and it was relatively easy to remove the staples. Using the pliers and screwdriver, remove the covers by inserting a long-handled screwdriver under the seam and simply lifting the staples out of the frame.

Step 4

The easiest way to reupholster a boat seat is to use the old fabric as a pattern for your new fabric. Using a seam ripper, carefully separate the cover into the pattern pieces. Lay the fabric down on a large flat surface and lay the old fabric face down on top. I then used a marker to trace an outline of the pattern on to the vinyl, but if you feel confident go ahead and cut the new fabric by tracing around the edges of the pattern. I gave myself an additional ½ inch allowance around the outside of each pattern piece. I would also suggest that you make each seat one at a time so that you don't get your pieces mixed up. Pin the pieces together like they came apart and sew the pieces together. The first seat will be the hardest and with each additional seat you will get better with experience. With that in mind, decide which of your seats you want to look the best and do those last.

Step 5

Once you have completed the cover it is time to check the foam. If the underlying foam is in good condition then you are ready to re-cover it. If not, cut away the rotting foam and using foam adhesive glue the old and new foam together trying to maintain the original shape.

Step 6

At this point you are going to need a partner to pull the cover over the foam and pull it tightly back into position. Pull tightly to remove the wrinkles. The vinyl can take a great deal of pulling. Once it is in position, staple with the stainless steel staples. Stainless steel staples are more expensive but they will not rust and ruin your vinyl once you are back on the water. Place a staple at four equal points on the frame, then pull and staple the fabric all around the seat.

Step 7

Replace the seats back into the boat. Step back and admire your handiwork. You have just saved yourself a ton of money. In my case I was able to save approximately 0 by doing it myself.

Step 8

Now it is time to protect your almost new pontoon with the purchase of a low cost, 4 or 5 year warranty pontoon cover. This should eliminate the extra cleaning needed due to the pelican's last fly-over or the rapid deterioration and fading of the vinyl that has been left out in the sun for long periods of time.

How to Replace Your Pontoon's Vinyl Seats and Save Money, Too

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Face the Wake and Keep your Weight on the Balls of your Feet

!±8± Face the Wake and Keep your Weight on the Balls of your Feet

If you are an avid water skier, one of the scariest things to try is slalom. The slalom skier has to cross what seems like a huge mound of water behind the boat, which is commonly referred to as the wake. Bumps are a part of water skiing and having a smooth comfortable ride is sometimes difficult to achieve. In order to be successful as a slalom skier you must learn to tackle the wake head on. If you are learning to slalom, or attempting a slalom run, a few helpful techniques to get you safely across the wakes may be in order. Since Power boats come in many shapes and sizes, make sure your towing boat has lots of power, as inadequate power can make slalom difficult. Even rigid zodiac boats can tow slalom skiers if they are adequately powered!

The key in this sport is balance! The way to achieve balance is to make sure your body weight is evenly distributed on your ski. You know you have reached the right balance when you can comfortably remain in the same position for an extended period of time. When your body weight is supported on the inside balls of your feet, this can be a good position, and it helps to keep your knees slightly bent and together. Always point the skis and your body toward the direction you want to go and face the wake head on. When approaching a wake, try to force your lower body and ski through with both feet first. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and not on your heels. Even though you put your feet first, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to lean back with your upper body.

This technique will come more as you practice, and your ultimate goal is to have your ski go through the water on its edge. With more practice, you will be able to cut through the wake at sharper angles and faster speeds. Remember that your skis will go through the water much faster on their edges rather than flat. Take it slow in the beginning and as your confidence level increases, your ability to tackle the waves will also get better. A good ski boat or even power boats such as a bow rider make excellent towboats.

Face the Wake and Keep your Weight on the Balls of your Feet

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The Eureka Timberline 2 Tent Review

!±8± The Eureka Timberline 2 Tent Review

This is a review of the Eureka Timberline 2 tent. This tent is possibly the world's most popular backpacking tent, having sold over one million units. It is a tent which can be used for 3 seasons and is freestanding. The A frame design of the Eureka Timberline 2 offers a lot of space with excellent ventilation and sleeps two people. This tent is great for casual backpacking as well as a starter tent for those who are brand new to camping.

Before taking a deeper look at the Eureka Timberline 2 tent, I'll highlight some important to think about when choosing a tent.

Selecting the right three season tent is not an easy choice. It is critical to review various features such as size, durability, style, breathability, and resistance to water. It can be really confusing, especially when you think about all the different things involved in selecting the right tents.

2 main features to think about are the weight and size of your tents. 3 season tents can range anywhere from four to nine pounds, and are able to sleep 2-3 people. Ultralight shelters weigh less than three pounds but are only designed for 1 person. Family camping tents can weigh from ten to twenty pounds.

While 3 season tents can be easier to carry on your trip, they may sacrifice some features. For example, the tents that are close to the four to five pound range don't have as many zippers, fewer and lighter poles, smaller vestibules and smaller rainflies. Now lets take a look at the Eureka Timberline 2 tent.

Set up is very fast and easy. When you are camping with others, you will always be the 1st to finish setting up your tent. The Eureka Timberline 2 is held up by a half inch shock-corded aluminum frame which makes pitching the tent very easy. The unique A-frame holds well in cold and severe conditions. The Eureka Timberline 2 is also very light, weighing less than six lbs. There are 2 mesh pockets inside to hold all of your things.

The Eureka Timberline 2 has a big door and 2 big windows, one1 in the back and one on the door. The windows can be shut to provide great ventilation, even in rainy conditions. Dew is diminished by a well-ventilated nylon canopy. The fly and floor are both made from fully-sealed non-stretch polyester, keeping out water even in dreadful weather conditions.

The durability of this tent is great. It stands up to an extreme amount of wear and tear. Some campers have described using this tent for over 20 years with no problems!

The Eureka Timberline 2 Tent Review

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Chapter 09 - Walden by Henry David Thoreau

!±8± Chapter 09 - Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Chapter 9: The Ponds. Classic Literature VideoBook with synchronized text, interactive transcript, and closed captions in multiple languages. Audio courtesy of Librivox. Read by Gord Mackenzie. Playlist for Walden by Henry David Thoreau: www.youtube.com

Chapter 09 - Walden by Henry David Thoreau

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Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo Review

!±8± Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo Review

I'm writing a review of the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo. The most important things to get out of the way are this thing is very entertaining for your kids.

It boasts multiple eye-catching toys that will have your children happily distracted. They include a bobbling elephant, a monkey swinging from a vine, a parrot hanging from a bead bar, a clear spinning bead ball, a tiger that plays hide and seek a spinning lizard that makes rattling sounds, a tethered chew toy, and a stack of chips with eye-catching graphics for baby to explore.

It helps encourage healthy development. Moving, spinning, and jumping in a baby jumper enhance large motor skills. Secondly, the variety of textures integrated into the rainforest toys provides tactile stimulation, while the bright colors and fun music engage your child's visual and auditory senses.

This educational system also enhances learning through discovery; baby's actions make things happen, helping him to understand cause and effect. Finally, reaching and grasping onto the baby jumper's toys fosters eye-hand coordination.

Also the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo is easy to use. It takes about 10 minutes to put together and another few minutes to wash the toys. Remember not to submerge the electronic one and to put 3 AA batteries in it. The box does not include the batteries and you'll need a screwdriver to remove the battery cover.

Also, the large spinning ball has a rainbow sticker along the sides that if you don't dry right away, well, they'll start to wrinkle. The Jumperoo does fold up for easier carrying/stowing but it's not a smooth transition. Its not something you'll want to do all the time.

Some of the key differences with the Rainforest Jumperoo:

- The seat rotates 360 degrees and there are toys all around it, so there is always something new to look at -- and your child can change their view of the room by their self.

- Animals hanging above their head from the "leaves" and the baby will love to look at them and sometimes jumps to try and reach them.

- The music & sounds are pretty cool...like they would play at a Caribbean restaurant.

- The format is round versus the old A-frame style - at first it seems like it will take up even more space, but it actually looks less obtrusive and fits in the room better. It's easier to get by and doesn't trip you!

- There are three hanging springs (versus four) which seems to offer more mobility and freedom of movement.

Suggested changes:

- More options for the height of the seat -- this seems like an easy change the manufacturer could make that would be helpful.

- Some sort of storage option (like a vinyl bag it would fit into) to take to another room, store it for company, etc.

My overall opinion of the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo is very high. I recommend anyone buy Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo for their babies. I know that it can give your baby good little stretches of entertainment, and you a reprieve so you can take care of a small chore for a few minutes. Plus it will help your baby develop their motor skills in a fun way!

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo Review

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