Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by seano on 05/13/08 - 10:43 AM

Does anyone care to update on the quality of the Specialty Marine cushions? I am restoring a 1979 Montauk and the considerable investment in the entire set of cushions has me at a crossroads.

I've read that Hall and Specialty are both great products, but unless my math is wrong Hall is $200 more for the complete set ($815 v $621) + shipping of course...

Can anyone comment on the quality of these mfrs?

Thanks!

Sean

Posted by egerrity on 05/13/08 - 11:39 AM

I just recieved my new RPS seat from Halls. it is pretty much an exact OEM match. It was important for me to have as close to oem as possible. Specaility marine did not have the piping on the trim, and I wanted it in black. The quaility and fit and finish on the Halls RPS is perfect. Now I feel like I want to order the rest of the cushions cause I am so impressed.. maybe next season. My cusions are in good shape. I am just out of my mind.:o

Posted by seano on 05/13/08 - 12:04 PM

Ed,

where on LI are you? I am in Southold...I just bought the 79 Montauk that was on craiglist...brought it home and completely stripped it... I have an 03 Johnson that I am putting on it and all it really needs beyond that is some major compound and wax....

BTW, I have the sickness too... had a 13 when I was a kid and have been restoring boats ever since...but until now it has been Cigarettes and Donzis. Sign of the times i guess...with gas prices and all... LOL

Posted by egerrity on 05/13/08 - 12:12 PM

I grew up on whalers as well... I have a house in Orient.. know the area well... Will be bringing the whaler out there quite a bit this summer..

Posted by Phil T on 05/13/08 - 12:15 PM

I would rate Specialty as good and Halls as excellent for quality. The difference between them is Lois uses the same materials (texture), color, stitching design and piping as the originals. I replaced my Montauk cooler and rod holder cushions and they matched the existing RPS cushion exactly.

Your boat, your choice.

Posted by seano on 05/13/08 - 1:08 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I also stopped in and spoke to John at John's Marine Center in Stamford. He's a reseller for Lois and a really nice guy. He spent a good portion of time with me and so I'll more than likely order the stuff through him.

Posted by Home Aside on 05/13/08 - 1:58 PM

Seano,
Hall's is approved by Whaler as an OEM producer of cushions, I do not believe Specialty Marine is. I've purchased several cooler cushions, pedestal seat cushions, and a bow cushion from Lois at Hall's her work is impecable. Go Hall's is you want to restore as close to original as possible

Pat