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Sundowner Seat Rails
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5403		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  rsherry [ Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Sundowner Seat Rails
Hi Guys,

Im in a slight problem! We have a 1999 205 Sundowner, the one with the seats that can fold flat or up to 2 seats facing away from each other.

However, from a slightly careless member of the family they stood on one of the ends of the seat, whilst it was folded (and they aren't light!) and have bent the runner rail system which the folding seats work on...

I have found the part on the FourWinns part directory on their website and contacted our dealer, to find out the price of a replacement system, and they have stopped making/stocking the part! So we are now at a complete loss on what to do :(

Anybody have any ideas?

Many thanks in advance :)

Rob
Author:  beyond the blue [ Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
What does this part look like, can you post a link?
Author:  rsherry [ Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Hi Graham,

This is the part off the website, unfortunately as the boat is in storage I cannot get a in place photo :(

It is the mechanism that sits under the seat with the black handle and the teeth on one side so that the seat can be locked in the up or down position.

Image

Thanks for any help, have no idea what I'm going to do to be honest!

Rob
Author:  beyond the blue [ Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Does it look like it could be repaired? The reason I ask is because I have a small engineering firm and its amazing what can be done. However, you say the boat is in storage so probably not local to Antrobus, I pass close to your area quite regularly on my travels and could offer my services if you think it might help (no charge) but could really do with seeing some good photos of the damage. If its a simple repair, there's probably someone closer to hand that could repair it. Just a thought!
Author:  rsherry [ Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Unfortunately, they were jammed and bent so much the only way we could get them out was to cut them off!

Iv had a email back from Four Winns parts saying that they have a part in replacement of that part however it looks nothing like the old product, anybody got any ideas?
Image

Is this a updated part on the newer boats or would anyone know how it would work?

Thanks again! :)

Rob
Author:  07H200SS [ Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
I had similar fold down seats on my 1991 170 Freedom and after the seats got stepped on so many times in the wrong spot my folding mechanism was also all bent and did not work very good anymore so I just removed them and mounted the seats solid in the up position. We did not fold them down very often anyway, but if you do fold yours down a lot this might not be an option.
Author:  lindeman23 [ Sat May 01, 2010 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Well I just bought my Sundowner 3 weeks ago w/ working seats. Took it out yesterday for the 2 time and my seat bent as well. (there were five of us on the boat and am not sure who did it) Its a crappy design. It wasn't that bad as I was able to try bend it back but sliding it is a challange. Did your replacement piece work?
Author:  rsherry [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Hi lindeman23,

I am yet to receive the parts..

However this is expected, they are having to be shipped from the USA and to save the absolutely extraordinary shipping costs they are coming over with a boat that is being delivered to the UK dealer at the same time, basically meaning I pay no shipping costs at all!

I believe they will be here early July but unfortunately due to various family reasons we wont be boating until early August so I'm not in that much of a rush :)

I shall keep you updated!

Best Regards,

Rob
Author:  lindeman23 [ Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Thanks for the update. I have just kept the seat in the upright position as I cannot fold it down flat anymore with the rail bent. Let me know how the replacement works. THANKS NEIL
Author:  rsherry [ Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
When I have the parts I shall let you know how it all goes!

I think I will have to do some modification but hopefully not too much to get it all sorted :)

Regards,

Rob
Author:  rsherry [ Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Parts are nothing like I was led to believe by our UK agent....

I cannot see any way of getting these to work like the old mechanisms did, I am considering trying to get in touch with Four Winns and trying to get the plans of the parts and trying to make them?

Other than that, I am at a dead end.. and we hoped to be taking it to the South Coast on Friday!!

:/
Author:  Graham R [ Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Rob,

A shame/ pain; can you at least get it fixed in the upright position for your holiday? Even using something like industrial aluminium extrusions?

Graham
Author:  rsherry [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
I can fix them vertically with no problem, its just annoying that in reality it is only a 10 year old boat, which I didnt think was that old....

So I was hoping that Four Winns would have some in stock, baring in mind from the forums they seem to be a week point in the seat design, I'm going to go and get the seat mount today and the seats from storage and see what can be done for the week, then when I get back try and manufacture a system that would work!

I shall see how it all goes!

Rob
Author:  Graham R [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Rob,

Am I right in thinking that both front seats have this design? If so, can you use the frame from the undamaged seat opposite as a pattern to make up a new one, possibly beefing it up in the areas where the old one failed?

Graham
Author:  rsherry [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sundowner Seat Rails
Graham,

That is a possibility, but shall have a look after next week when we hope to use the boat!

Its not that important in reality, just would like to have it sorted if we can...

It wasn't really that it wasnt strong enough, just some over enthusiasm I think :(

Rob
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