Macgregor cockpit cushions yes or no?

[1st Sail]

What is the verdict on the factory cushions. In spite of all the fun we've had this first year, I get a lot of butt complaints regarding no cushions.
Which would you recommend ?

Individual cushions

Custom built with Sunbrella and closedcell foam (more $)

Keep it simple, get the Mac cushions (understand they are open cell, vinyl (hot and sticky) but less $)

Thanks,

Dave

[kmclemore]

The factory cushions stink, IMHO.

Closed cell foam in Sunbrella would be nice. However we have the BottomSider cushions, custom made for the Mac's, and we like them a lot...

http://www.bottomsiders.com/boatresults ... =MacGregor



We also bought the raised helm seat cushion and it helps a lot with seeing over the bow when motoring.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The Mac cushions are made with the absolute cheapest materials, but are better than nothing. The zippers corrode and the open cell foam absorbs water. We complain about ours all the time. Yet, they are now 13 years old and still in service with no rips or tears and I can't bring myself to spend the $700+ it would cost for a new set from BottomSiders.

We did do one trip this year without the backs in place and didn't really miss them. At the helm seat I tend to use a throwable cushion for a bit of extra height and it adds padding. On the two side cockpit seats we use our folding 'Go Anywhere Seats' which also have extra padding. So, we will just continue on with the factory cushions until they become completely un-usable.

[Nautek]

Just a thought

Why not buy some closed cell foam remove the foam from the Mac cushions and replace it with the closed cell but use the Mac covers

Would have to work out cheaper.

Allan

[PatrickS]

I have the stock factory cushions on my X and wasn't satisfied with them, as they absorbed water and also weren't quite thick enough. So I wrapped the original foam in trashbags and added some camping mat closed foam (total investment about $8) and they are vastly improved. They don't absorb water (which was mostly through pooling around the bottom edges and the camping mats raise the original foam a bit and the trashbags prevent absorption) and the camping mats add alot to the comfort.

When motoring WOT, I sit on a fender for added height.

So, given the cost difference between factory and aftermarket, if I had to replace mine, I'd go factory and add the same enhancements...

[James V]

NO, these are open cell and thin. They hold water and sit flat. Get outdoor funiture stuff. They do not look as nice but you will be happier. Do nut use the outside inside as they will absorb sun block.

[NiceAft]

You left out the possibility of Sunbrella and open cell foam. That what these are.


I also had back cushions made. You can see the back cushion on the starboard side. The port side cushion is lying on the seat.

I made the template, and had an upholsterer make the cushions out of Sunbrella to match the Bimini. The upholsterer is a boater, and told me that the Sunbrella is so good at keeping the water out, open cell is all that is needed to fill the cushions. It is also much more comfortable to sit on. The closed cell is very stiff. Before anyone who does have closed cell starts posting that their cushions are comfortable, I am not saying that they aren't, just that open cell is more so.

These cushions are now four years old, and doing great. They are tremendously comfortable (I made them thick, not thin.), and make the boat look like it's worth a million bucks (or whatever your local currency is )

Ray.

[beene]

Hi Ray

Don't they get hot in the sun? I have the stock brown M ones and they get smokin hot when in the sun.



I can only assume yours being black get hot fast!

I have to cover mine with a beach towel to keep them cool enough to sit on.

G

[NiceAft]

Geoff,

The Sunbrella fabric line is designed to not get hot in the sun. Maybe because they are a woven fabric, and not solid vinyl (or whatever the factory fabric is.), Sunbrella will not act as a frying pan.

What you are referring to is what old Ben Franklin (Philadelphian who emigrated from Boston) discovered over two hundred years ago.
Old Ben placed large squares of different colored fabric on the snow. The dark ones absorbed heat more efficiently than the light colored one's. The dark ones melted the snow under them. Dark cars get hotter inside in the summer than white cars, etc. I can't tell you why the cushions don't get hot, they just don't. They stay quite comfortable. On the hottest, brightest, sun baking days, the cushions do not get hot. At any time during the day, one can sit on them without any discomfort. Amazing, but true

Ray

[Québec 1]

Avast Mattees,
quote''Don't they get hot in the sun? I have the stock brown M ones and they get smokin hot when in the sun.'' unquote

Get hot in the sun...lol, here in Québec they have never gotten that hot cause its never really hot in the summer any more!...Must be frikken global warming!!!!!!


I have stock cushions and will eventually upgrade. I like the looks and sounds of the sumbrella option.
Q1

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Why not buy some closed cell foam remove the foam from the Mac cushions and replace it with the closed cell but use the Mac covers?

this is what i did...

i visited a wholesale foam store and was able to get a good buy on closed cell foam.
in order to save $$$, i had to use 6-8 pieces of 3/8" thick closed cell for each cushion (vs a single 2-1/2" thick piece).
by layering 6-8 pieces of 3/8" in each cushion I saved nearly 70% in cost.

IIRC, it cost me abt $120 in foam to do it myself (several years ago) vs over $500 for the 2-1/2" thick piece.

the pads are not as soft, but really work great as there don't get wet!

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[NiceAft]

Here's where the interior designer in me emerges.

The cushions for the captain's seat (both seat and back cushions), and the seat cushions for the cockpit are 2.5" thick box pillows. The seat backs for the cockpit are knife edge. Just in case someone was interested.

Ray

[Sloop John B]

I bought the factory cushions but don't use them. They slide all over the place. If you instal snaps, they will come apart. If you instal Velcro, you've got a mess. Get the thick life saver cushions (2 x 2) at West Marine or somewhere else for less. They're handy for tossing to your mates who become intoxicated and slide overboard. Get a couple of them to sit on when you're behind the wheel and you can see what you are about to ram.

[kmclemore]

Here's some pics of my Bottomsiders. They stay cool in sunshine and are easy to wipe down and clean. And I really love the 'hump' cushion for the helm... it helps so much to be able to see over the cabin top and I still have plenty of room under the bimini.

The only warning is that if you like to use DEET (bug repellent) it *will* smear and/or remove the color accent stripes... nothing else seems to affect them, just DEET, and the folks at Bottomsiders have confirmed that this is an issue. If you've just sprayed on DEET on your body, just lay down a towel until it's dried on your skin.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

The cushions for the captain's seat and the seat cushions for the cockpit are 2.5" thick box pillows. The seat backs for the cockpit are knife edge.

yes, i agree.
that said...

the seats i used 6-8 pieces of closed cell, 3/8" thick, stacked.
the backs i used 3-4 of same, stacked.

if you've ever taken apart a traditional 2' x 2' (blue?) life saver pillow that sloop john is talking about, it has nearly 3" of 1/8" thick stacked closed cell.

essentially, i copied that concept and saved some $$$ in the process.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki