Cockpit Cushions - Again

[Russ]

I replaced my cushions about 7 years ago and they are now wearing out. I made the big mistake of having piping added which created a seam that allows the sunbrella material to pull apart. Also, I never liked how stiff the 3" dryfast feels after sitting on it for a while.

I think I'm going to avoid a pattern this time and go for solid black sunbrella (Niceaft has nice seats - no pun intended). Ray says they are not hot to touch and stay clean (again, no pun intended).

I know foam is subjective. Honestly, I don't know how people can sit on closed cell stuff, but my arse is probably bigger than others.

So in my quest for the ultimate cockpit foam, I found this stuff.

"Optimal Comfort Fill is comprised of four layers to ensure comfort, durability, weather-resistance and longevity. This "best of the best" cushion filler is achieved by utilizing the best materials available. While it's more expensive due to the Memory Foam MicroGel and the construction of the water-resistant liner, it will last longer and perform better than any other cushion filling."

https://www.cushionsource.com/product/o ... ing#step=1



I has memory foam layers and boasts comfort. Probably won't drain as well as dryfast, but we rarely allow them to get wet.
It's a bit spendy, however, I spend a lot of time sitting on these things.

Our outdoor patio cushions are VERY comfortable. They are very plush and comfy, but my guess too thick to be safe for cockpit cushions. I want cushions I can sit/sleep on in comfort.

Thoughts?

BTW, my cushions are on the boat in storage. Does anyone have a rough idea of the dimensions of the M cushions so I can price foam?

--Russ

[Jimmyt]

68"L. x 19-1/2"W x 2-3/4"Thk. I just measured widest point, you may want some extra width for the actual layout, but this should be close.

[Russ]

68"L. x 19-1/2"W x 2-3/4"Thk. I just measured widest point, you may want some extra width for the actual layout, but this should be close.

Thanks!! I'm pricing the foam and want to see how much this project will cost.

--Russ

[Seapup]

I has memory foam layers and boasts comfort. Probably won't drain as well as dryfast, but we rarely allow them to get wet.
It's a bit spendy, however, I spend a lot of time sitting on these things.

If you put them away when not in use I would consider just a standard open cell foam (lux or hd36) that you think fits the bill best. I like the longer bench cushions soft for lounging, but use firmer foam for a seat for sitting upright like at the wheel.

My current boat came with a nice custom set, but they used industrial quality rebond foam. Looked beautiful, but the cushions were physically heavy and dense. Replaced it with closed cell which very light but too firm. Replaced it finally again with open lux foam and stand them on edge at night and inside when leaving or rain is coming.

Not sure about the M, but on an X I would even consider two densities. Super firm next to the cabin where its used like a step and soft for the rest.

[NiceAft]

Russ,

I just measured my cushions.
70.5 X 18.5 X 3 inches

179.07 X 46.99 X 7.62. Centimeters

That is point to point.

Ray

[March]

I have had my shares of cockpit cushion woes: first patching and reinforcing the snaps (that lasted for about 3 years) then ordered a new set from a local upholsterer, using the old ones as "templates" (he botched the job terribly, changing the place of the zippers and leaving them fuilly exposed to rain and water). Then finally, about five years ago, I got a new set of covers along with 12 other owners. The "core" was still the old open cell foam that took forever to drain, once they were exposed to elements. But the snaps mounted on fabric strips still hold well. The color is bleh (diarrhea brown) and they do get hot in the sun, but we also sit on towels, so what the heck

As for the core: the open-cell solution sucks. Literally. I was thinking about spraying them with some sort of paint to create a semi-rigid barrier, but ultimately I took the simpler and cheaper approach: inserting them in wide garbage bags and sealing them with duct tape. They work better, but still take in some water, and I am still not perfectly satisfied with the results.

The next step--finding closed-cell foam. The price struck me as pretty high. Therefore, I started collecting "yoga mats" from goodwill (average cost about $5.00 one mat.) I already have about five and this spring I will try cutting them to size and sandwiching them one on top of the other. I still need a couple, but there's still time. Priority would be the sitting cushions--the back cushions still work well and drip much more easily.

I am also considering replacing the vinyl with sunbrella eventually, but that's going to be another project.

[NiceAft]

March said:

I am also considering replacing the vinyl with sunbrella eventually, but that's going to be another project.

If you thought closed cell foam was expensive, hold onto your knickers. Sunbrella prices will knock you on your touchas

Sunbrella is the best though. Expensive, but worth it. If you have the boat bucks available, get the Sunbrella.

Ray

[Russ]

Comfort is important to me. I spend a lot of time sitting on the cushions and laying on them at night. My fat arse doesn't like closed cell foam. I have a few square tossable cushions around all the time and sitting on those for very long give me butt hurt.

Dry-Lock is great for draining. It won't hold water. But it's also stiff. That's what we have now. It's not as bad as closed cell, but a bit too firm for me.

That memory foam stuff I linked to above appears to be comfortable. However, I'm not sure how dry it is. With that said, we don't let cushions get wet. If it's raining, we take them in. Open cell is a sponge but might be a lot more comfortable. I'm considering going back to open cell.

Another idea is to use closed cell yoga mats in conjunction with open cell. My idea is to put a layer of closed cell on the bottom where water might pool and get wet to keep the open cell off the deck. Then wrap the open cell with plastic like March did.

The memory foam stuff is spendy. Looks like $180 per cushion PLUS the sunbrella covers. However, nothing on a boat is cheap and since I spend so much time in the cockpit, it might be a good investment. The last set of cushions were a disappointment because I didn't think it through.

Ray is right, Sunbrella is pricey, but it's WELL worth it. Never fade and holds up well. Look at Ray's cushions above. How many seasons? Worth it.

--Russ

[Highlander]

Full enclosure no worries & double,s ur boat,s living space & when u get a few days of inclement weather while slipped or anchored u,ll really appreciate that extra room
it,s also one of the reasons I can work on my boat all yr or go down & have a few drinks in my man cave or entertain when no one else can

J

[Russ]

Full enclosure no worries & double,s ur boat,s living space & when u get a few days of inclement weather while slipped or anchored u,ll really appreciate that extra room
it,s also one of the reasons I can work on my boat all yr or go down & have a few drinks in my man cave or entertain when no one else can

J

The admiral wouldn't have it. I get enough complaints just putting up the bimini. She likes the open air.



--Russ

[March]

Makes sense. The enclosure does protect the cushions, but most of the times the sogginness comes from daytime sailing rain and dew.
When it starts raining, we throw the cushions in the back berth.

I would still like to follow Ray's advice and replace them with sunbrella fabric and keep them in place at all times. I have a good local seamstress now that replaced the covers from the back berth mattresses and now she's working on replacing the zippers to the forestay sock--and stitching back the pieces that had lost thread. I will have her redo the bimini too. Mice had made two holes through it which I patched as well as I could--but the bimini is getting old and kind of leaky, even though I sprayed it with fabric preserver. That would entail taking it off the aluminum frame. buying new fabric, and having her redo the whole thing. Next winter

[Russ]

Makes sense. The enclosure does protect the cushions, but most of the times the sogginness comes from daytime sailing rain and dew.
When it starts raining, we throw the cushions in the back berth.

I would still like to follow Ray's advice and replace them with sunbrella fabric and keep them in place at all times. I have a good local seamstress now that replaced the covers from the back berth mattresses and now she's working on replacing the zippers to the forestay sock--and stitching back the pieces that had lost thread. I will have her redo the bimini too. Mice had made two holes through it which I patched as well as I could--but the bimini is getting old and kind of leaky, even though I sprayed it with fabric preserver. That would entail taking it off the aluminum frame. buying new fabric, and having her redo the whole thing. Next winter

You might also look into the open cell dry-fast foam.
https://www.sailrite.com/Dry-Fast-Open- ... -x-24-x-72

I have this in our current cushions and it's great.

It won't hold water drains well with Sunbrella covers. It's just to stiff for me.

My other mistake was either the type of Sunbrella or the person who sewed in the piping. The admiral wanted a pattern and it's hard to know what it will look like until you've bought a large amount of fabric. We weren't thrilled with the result and will probably do a solid black (like Nice Aft's) next time.

I'm considering buying a small piece of the memory foam stuff for a helm seat to test comfort. Otherwise, I may simply go back to open cell foam and insert a layer of closed cell (yoga mat) on the bottom to get it off the deck so it won't soak up pooled water.

Memory foam outdoor foam



What we have now. The piping (in red) is pulling apart. Also, the piping creeps as the covers slip. The piping winds up on the side and/or the top and looks stupid. My OCD won't allow this. Next time, NO PIPING.




--Russ

[NiceAft]

Full enclosure no worries & double,s ur boat,s living space & when u get a few days of inclement weather while slipped or anchored u,ll really appreciate that extra room
it,s also one of the reasons I can work on my boat all yr or go down & have a few drinks in my man cave or entertain when no one else can

J

You do now have a choice. John’s enclosure, or 100 cushions to last a life time*

As much as I would enjoy a full enclosure, the limited times I would be in a position actually use it, does not warrant the expense. As of now, we rarely overnight on the boat.

Ray

*Slight exageration

[Highlander]

Ray their,s hardly a day go,es by when I don,t walk down to the boat condo docks takes me about one minute take,s a little longer if I,m toting a Scotch , sit back inside that enclosure relax as the boat rocks slightly & sometimes a few of the other retired boaters join me for a beer & a few hot pepperonis & we,ll hop from boat to boat sure makes the winter fly by , oh did I say winter it,s nice & sunny here today +9C & I did work on the boat this aft & yesterday too I know I should not punish u like this , did u have to clean all that snow off the boat again !!!. It might rain tomorrow aft here darn it so that,s a bummer , but I can always just grab a beer & a few pepperoni,es outa the boat fridge relax & enjoy the scenery inside my enclosure Ah retirement is great shoulda done it sooner !!!

J

[NiceAft]

Ray their,s hardly a day go,es by when I don,t walk down to the boat condo docks takes me about one minute take,s a little longer if I,m toting a Scotch , sit back inside that enclosure relax as the boat rocks slightly & sometimes a few of the other retired boaters join me for a beer & a few hot pepperonis & we,ll hop from boat to boat sure makes the winter fly by , oh did I say winter it,s nice & sunny here today +9C & I did work on the boat this aft & yesterday too I know I should not punish u like this , did u have to clean all that snow off the boat again !!!. It might rain tomorrow aft here darn it so that,s a bummer , but I can always just grab a beer & a few pepperoni,es outa the boat fridge relax & enjoy the scenery inside my enclosure Ah retirement is great shoulda done it sooner !!!

J