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Alcantara with kids

FlyByWire

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I’m extremely close to pulling the trigger on a new-to-me boat for the family.. It has a mix of Alcantara and vinyl seating and it’s really the only part about the boat I’m concerned with in the least. What’s been your guys experience with Alcantara durability and longevity, especially if you’ve got kids (ages 9-17) on your boats.
 

Tank

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Congrats. If it has alcantera I presume it’s gonna be super nice.

Can’t answer your question though, just happy for ya and look forward to seeing what you get. 👍
 

Thunderhead1

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I have just picked up a new to me boat with ALL alcantara, I'm not a big fan of the stuff , BUT my opinion is slowly changing. we now say we dont hate it... don't love it just yet.
From what I can tell , Spills and suntan lotion are going to be the issues... Like you... Im wondering how soon or how long before I will be investing in replacement.
 

FlyByWire

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I have just picked up a new to me boat with ALL alcantara, I'm not a big fan of the stuff , BUT my opinion is slowly changing. we now say we dont hate it... don't love it just yet.
From what I can tell , Spills and suntan lotion are going to be the issues... Like you... Im wondering how soon or how long before I will be investing in replacement.

Bingo.. this one has some DARK in it, and I’m really concerned with sunblock on it. I love the way it looks, I just don’t want to have to replace it.
 

Chili Palmer

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Cheetos, colored beverages, greasy foods, and sunscreen will be alcantara's and your biggest enemies.
 

530RL

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It doesn't hold up well in cars is my experience with it.

It does look really cool, but it doesn't hold up. Not sure why someone would put it in a boat for long term use unless the boat is rarely used.
 

Ace in the Hole

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I have friends with kids with the alantara...I am one of the parents with all vinyl. Sunscreen is the biggest issue I think you'll deal with...especially when they bring friends that "just don't get it." just have towels to put over the seats...if you like the boat...whats a bit of clean up.. fuck it buy it! lol
 

FlyByWire

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Buy the boat. Life's short and kids grow up too fast! Buy some nice towels and enjoy time with the kids while they're young.
I have friends with kids with the alantara...I am one of the parents with all vinyl. Sunscreen is the biggest issue I think you'll deal with...especially when they bring friends that "just don't get it." just have towels to put over the seats...if you like the boat...whats a bit of clean up.. fuck it buy it! lol

I like the way you guys think. ☺️
 

RiverDave

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There’s a bunch of different types of this material from real alcantara to ultra suede and others.

The DCB’s seem to hold up but I think they are using the legit alcantara though..

Some of the other stuff loses its dye pretty quick in the sun and turns kinda reddish..
 

TVMNick

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Mine has held up reasonably well, surprisingly the sunscreen doesn't really get it to bad. The biggest issue I have in mine is the water line on the armrest where I always sit when I'm wet, the main cushion doesn't get the water line, just my small armrest on my main seat. Mine has a lot of black in it and it has started to lightly fade but its not terrible. In my view alcantara is a 5 year product, treat it like a wear item and enjoy the boat.
 

jperog

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Mine is a 2020 all alcantara and sea-dec interior. I don't have any complaints "guessing I will get two more years out of it before its re-done".

Joe
 

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FlyByWire

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Mine is a 2020 all alcantara and sea-dec interior. I don't have any complaints "guessing I will get two more years out of it before its re-done".

Joe

That’s gorgeous.
 

McKay

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Last boat had alcantara. Loved it! Had quite a bit of black. Sweat stains would show up. However very easy to clean with just some DI water or if you had a more difficult mark on it we would use Double Black express interior cleaner. Put a little over 160 hours on it before selling and I thought it looked brand new then. And kids where in the boat with us 75% time with cokes, chips etc.
 

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ChrisV

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Last boat had alcantara. Loved it! Had quite a bit of black. Sweat stains would show up. However very easy to clean with just some DI water or if you had a more difficult mark on it we would use Double Black express interior cleaner. Put a little over 160 hours on it before selling and I thought it looked brand new then. And kids were in the boat with us 75% time with cokes, chips etc.
@Thunderhead1 🧐
 

OCMerrill

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Ok well I guess I’m all out of excuses now. 😬
Hoping it all works out for you and your family. I am sure the boat is pretty awesome and will make memories you all wont soon forget.

My Kids are grown and it is super difficult to get them all together at once.

Sunscreen is necessary. I ask for everyone to spray down before they jump on but honestly not even that helps much.
 
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plaster dave

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I don’t let anyone sit on bare seats.
I never let spray location be sprayed on the boat.
No eating in the boat.
That said the alcatera isn’t an issue for me. My wife says can’t we just have a boat you don’t care about? I tell her we can’t pickup drive thru in your car but these simple things are too hard? 😂
I wouldn’t let alcatera stop me.
My daughter is 11 she’s been boating since she was 1.
 

FlyByWire

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I don’t let anyone sit on bare seats.
I never let spray location be sprayed on the boat.
No eating in the boat.
That said the alcatera isn’t an issue for me. My wife says can’t we just have a boat you don’t care about? I tell her we can’t pickup drive thru in your car but these simple things are too hard? 😂
I wouldn’t let alcatera stop me.
My daughter is 11 she’s been boating since she was 1.


Ok wellllllll it’s a good thing you chimed in then…..

IMG_6423.png
 

Joker

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I'm getting Alcantara put in our 22'r as I type. I fish out of the boat and I'm not the least bit concerned about the choice I'm making.
 

FlyByWire

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Nobody will ever use spray sunscreen on my boat or they will be swimming back.

I learned this lesson early on myself. We use the granola / hippie lotion shit now and it seems to work way better anyway. 😂
 
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