Seat fungus

[Todd Brosius]

Am I the only one to experience a fungus growing in my seats, either in the vinyl or in the cushion beneath? I have an '04 prostar 197 and have already had my back seat replaced due to a fungus. This fungus appears in a light orange to light tan color and in my back seat was kinda in a circular fashion but now today I notice one of my ski locker wings has another similar color and shape that my back seat had. I know what you're thinking - this guy doesn't take care of his boat. That couldn't be further from the truth. My boat is wiped down inside and out after each use and very little to NO water is ever brought into the boat. We stand on the swim platform and dry off and make sure this ski bindings are empty before placing it in the boat. I use a quality vinyl cleaner and conditioner weekly. Furthermore, my back seat was used maybe 4 to 5 times last summer and the rest of the time it was stored in an air conditioned house. The owners manual has an ENTIRE SECTION dealing with this. I am NOT in a high humidity area (Nebraska), which the book says can cause this fungus problem. Did I just happen to get a bad stock of vinyl or cushion? I'm hoping my dealer work with me again. They were real good to me with the back seat and insisted on replacing the entire seat, not just the vinyl. This just doesn't seem right when spending $40 plus thousand on a boat. I love my Mastercraft but this seat thing has me scratching my head and somewhat frustrated.

[parks_jr_55]

We had the same problem with our boat when we got it. It was extremly clean. The guy we bought it from was pretty picky about how the boat was kept and looked real sad when he saw it go away. The orange on the back seat was the only blemish in the boat. If it weren't for the style changes you woudl think it was brand new. We asked the dealer and they said that the fungs was almost unavoidable and that it is extremly hard to get out. It is not a very big area and so we just decided to live with it.

[G-man]

Check and see what the coverage of your vinal warranty is. Your dealer should be able to answer the vinal question or the new contacts section of TT should be able to help.

Could it be stains from suntan lotion?

[ajgressette]

An Industrial Ozone Generator will kill these fungi you have in your boat. However it won’t do anything for the discoloration already in the vinyl and a good small one is about 1500.00 Please don’t maktake the Ionic Breeze for an Industrial Ozone Generator. This would be like comparing a moped to a Roles Royce.

Mold and Fungi can only grow in a wet environment. At some point your seat had to be put up wet in order for the mold to grow. Ask M.C if they used a mold resistant foam for there seats. They do make this sort of stuff, but it’s expensive. I always dry my boat out in the sun for a few days before putting it up in the shop. :twocents:

[milkmania]

oh man.....

I just knew there were gonna be pictures of bikinis in this thread:cry:

[Todd Brosius]

My problem is definately NOT from suntan lotion or sunscreen. I only allow a brand (which I carry in my boat) to be used that I know is safe for my Mastercraft seats. I typed TT yesterday so I'm waiting for a response. I need to take pics and send them to my dealer. I'm sure my vinyl is still under warranty, but when does it end? Did my dealer have this boat sitting outside before I purchased it new and soaked the interior? I don't know - I'm just scratching my head and hoping Mastercraft will take care of me like they did on replacing my back seat.

[Todd Brosius]

I haven't received much feedback about many others experiencing my troubles with seat fungus. Thank you if you took the time to read and I guess I'm in the minority with this problem. I agree that at some point my boat must have been completely soaked and not dried. Obviously this had to have been either at the factory, during testing, or at my dealer, with possibly the boat being left out in the rain since I did NOT order this boat but simply purchased it from their inventory. I have NEVER treated my boat in such a way that I can be responsible for this seat fungus. I'm still waiting to hear back from TT to see if Mastercraft experiences this problem. I'm sure they must since it's spoke about in great length in the owner's manual. I'll take some pics and send to my dealer and hopefully will be taken care of since I'm obviously still under warranty. Thanks again and please respond if you have any info that may be helpful or if you're experiencing a seat fungus.

[X2M]

Todd - When you say seat fungus are you meaning the whole seat? Or just spots? How big? We found these little orange/tan spots all over the vinyl in our boat. Is what I found similar to yours?

[Todd Brosius]

Yes it is! My spots do not cover a large area by any means. My back seat had around 3 areas in which spots started to appear. On the side of the seat the fungus was actually growing in a circular fashion. No, it certainly not turning the entire surface of the seat the orange/tan color. Just certain areas. My even bigger concern is when does it stop? OK, maybe some people (not me, and I won't speak for you) could live with a small dot or two but then when warranty runs out and these spots continue to appear then replacing not only skins but the entire seat would be necessary becuase the fungus or bacteria could be in the cushion, not just in the vinyl. I'm sure you take good care of your boat becuase that's the first thing my dealer asked me and he now knows that I'm am VERY particular in caring for my boat so it's not something I am causing to happen. This fungus had to be in the seats before I purchased my boat new. This is my boat's second season.

[X2M]

How big are the spots? Mine are from like pencil lead to about the size of the smilies. Huh. I started a thread last week asking what it was. Maybe mine is fungus too and not spider poop. Do you have pictures?
Like you, I am having a hard time with the spots. Actually I am p!$$3d. Mine is only 2 1/2 months old.

[X2M]

Does it look anything like this?

[Kell]

Todd and X2,

I don't have any solutions for you nor have I experienced or seen any mold/fugus/mildew on my vinyl since I picked up this used boat. But in the owner's manual and various other documents I received with the MC, there was a flyer from Final Finish, Superior Marine Grade Vinyl which appears to be manufuctured by MSG/G&T. In any event, and I don't know if the current production boats have the same grade/manufacturer of vinyl, but the flyer does have cleaning suggestions for various stains. For example, for mildew/fungus or wet leaves, the recommend three steps which are as follows:

Step 1: One (1) tablespoon ammonia, one fourth (1/4) cup hydrogen peroxide, three-fourths (3/4) cup of water, rinse and dry;
Step 2: Vinyl finish cleaner;
Step 3: Medium soft brush, warm soapy water/rinse and dry.

Just thought I would throw out these steps for your information, but I realize that this does not explain why your getting the fungus to begin with. Take care.

[jimmer2880]

My seats have gotten completely drenched several times (can you say teaching slalom on a boom?) and never have a fungus problem. Of course, we wipe them down also.

If it's little spots like X2 - I get them on my gelcoat all the time. For me, it's somekind of insect poop or eggs (don't know which). They stain it pretty good.

I'm not trying to call you out or anything - just trying to find out the answer..... How do you know it's fungus? Can you take some pic's & post?

[sizzler]

i have exactly the same spots as X2.....they start off black,,,,when rubbed they partly come off and leave a brown stain that i have found impossible to get out.......they are insect poop.....

i had a stain on my enginecover that i could not get out until i carefully used nail-varnish remover...it worked a treat.....be careful tho'as it needs to be washed off almost immediately...it left the white vinyl even whiter..so now i have a small white stain (on white) as opposed to a black stain

[ktn_cmu]

I saw the title and wasn't sure if I should read this thread or send it out for a second opinion. :uglyhamme

[Granite_33]

I'm thinking the idea of wet foam has some merits. Once water gets into the foam, it can stay there for a very long while. I had my old 90 Maristar in a climate controlled garage for months, and when I pulled the front seat up, I noticed a good deal of moisture still being held by the seat. I poked my finger into the vent holes and the foam was soaked......after sitting over the winter, in a garage, where the temp was kept at an even 50 degrees. This is nothing but a HUGE breeding ground for all sorts of nasty stuff. Mold around the edges of the seat, but thankfully, nothing on top.

So I'm thinking that unless the dealer kept the boat(s) in a storage area, out of the weather, chances are that the boat got soaked more than a few times while it was waiting to be sold. Tough one, to figure out, though. :twocents:

[Memo]

Todd,
If you have mildew I use and will recommend 3M Marine Mildew Stain Remover (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_SG3KLX4RXMgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/bgel_FP4NB5V081bl/gvel_H8PTZGX97Rgl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html)for cleaning and then using 3M Marine Mildew Block (http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_28V0NR0XHFgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/bgel_DFF9LKR1S6bl/gvel_H8PTZGX97Rgl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html) spray to prevent it from happening again. You can also use bleach water to clean the mildew (lots of water little bleach). Word of BIG CAUTION. Don’t get bleach on your stitching…and use lots of water to rinse after. Bleach will weaken the thread and over time thread will rot. There are many other mildew cleaners out in the market that are specially formulated to be used on marine vinyl without harming. The Mildew Block spray is good after the fabric is cleaned and it woks well for 3-4 months. Then need to reapply. Spray and wipe.

X2Momma,
The spots on your vinyl is not mildew. It is definitely spider poop. Use the 3M Vinyl Cleaner/Restorer (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=8956&catalogId=10001&classNum=34&subdeptNum=11201&storeNum=4)or MEGUIARS Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=72469&catalogId=10001&classNum=34&subdeptNum=11201&storeNum=4).

Any marine store should have these products or similar cleaners that are formulated to be used on marine vinyl without harm.


Hope this helps!:twocents:

Memo

[AirJunky]

I have seen spots similar to what X2momma describes on boats on my dock. We have a tree on the beach that drops a long thin "blossom" for lack of a better word. Their sticky & break up into a ton of pieces & leave a small, orange stain behind when they end up in the boat. I have to ask everyone to rinse off before they get in the boat.
I haven't found any product that cleans them very well either. 303, Simple Green, & a handfull of other products won't touch it.

[X2M]

Airjunky - we have no trees around the area we store the boat. Or at the launch for that matter. When not in use it is covered. But it was at the shop for the 20 hr service and they have trees, so I guess your idea is possible.

Memo - I know that my spots are not mildew. But a fungus could be just as possible as the spider poop. I have been out of town and have not had a chance to get the stuff you suggested we try. I'll let you know how it works out.

As for the boat getting wet and causing a fungus. That is very possible. The week before we picked up the boat from the dealership we went for a test drive with their demo X2. While there we looked at our boat again. It was not covered or shrink wrapped because it had been on display at the Sacramento Boat show. A storm was coming in later that day so we asked that the boat be covered or moved. We were assured that it would be. Well, after a week's worth of very hard rain and multiple storms we went to pick the boat up. The carpet was wet, the storage compartments were wet and there was standing water in the glove box. So I'm thinking they either forgot or the cover they put on it wasn't secured and blew off during one of the storms. That is why a fungus is possible. As for the spider poop, that is possible too. But I would like to add that we have had three MasterCrafts. All parked in the same place during the same times of year and taked care of the same way. Nothing to the other two. Why does it have to happen to the brand new one?

I have talked to my service department at the dealership and they told be to use softscrub to get it off. We shall see.

Thank you very much for offering your opinions and ideas for solutions. They are GREATLY appreciated!!

[Todd Brosius]

I just heard back from TT today and they wanted to see some pics and have me get to my dealer. TT said they believed they got away from this problem when they went away from what they call "stark white vinyl." I would strongly suggest you contact your dealer and it should be under warranty. As for the size of my spots they did vary. Any where from a penny size to my circle area which probably was they size of a tennis ball. It was a strange looking formation. As I mentioned before the fungus was growing in a circular fashion. I will most definately keep you up to date and please reciprocate with any info from your dealer. At this point I fairly confident we will be taken care of after reading my response from TT. Good luck - please stay in touch via this thread.

[X2M]

When it started did it look anything like the picture I posted? I am glad to hear that it will be getting fixed. :D

[Todd Brosius]

Here is a picture of the fungus on the side of my rear seat(which warranty replaced). There was fungus on the top of the rear seat as well. I am having similar issues with fungus on the rear trunk wings.

[X2M]

Well looks like spider poop is what my problem is. My picture and Todd's don't look anything alike. Todd, I am glad MasterCraft is working with you to get yours done right. I don't think they can help me. :( I will be testing cleaning supplies this weekend. Wish me luck! :)

[Todd Brosius]

Just make sure you use approved MC cleaners just in case it turns out the warranty will help you. If it's from spiders hopefully a cleaner will take it out. Good luck. Keep me informed.

[RedStar]

It looks to me as if a large spider may have backed his can up to that seat and let 'er rip.
Not an entomologist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[MarkL]

Looks like the Virgin Mary.

[jimmer2880]

WOW - Thats 1 big spider! :eek:

[Memo]

X2momma

Sea Ray Maintenance vinyl. (http://www.searay.com/maintenance_tips.asp?tab=6&incl=vinyl)

This is a very good reference article for marine vinyl care and maintenance from Sea Ray. If you have any problems accessing this site I will copy and post it. It is quite long and talks about specific issues and how to deal with it.

Hope this helps. Good luck :D
Memo