Cushions and Condensation

[Dannie]

With leaving my 26x in her slip on Puget Sound and all of the rain we are getting, and a few leaks I have, I am seeing some condensation under the cushions. My question is do most of you remove your cushions for the winter and store them in the garage or just elevate them and try to keep them dry? I know in reading other post that some of you do not have condensation issues like we do in the NW. I was thinking of removing all of them for the winter and tackle some modifications while hooked to shore power.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

I was thinking of removing all of them for the winter and tackle some modifications while hooked to shore power.

that's probably your best bet.

in fact, while they are removed you might consider upgrading to a higher density foam product. it's a cheap fix and makes sitting and sleeping much more comfortable.

if you own the "stock" cockpit cushions, you should definitely consider the closed cell foam option. it is a bit expensive, but in a damp environment, you will not regret it.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki (H20-Pump recalled)

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I've found over numerous wet winters up here in the Northwest that it is best to have some kind of moisture control in the boat.

Our first year with the X we did not have any onboard and and ended up with a mildew cleanup job on the cushions in the spring. Ever since then I have used Dry-Z-Air units with good success. You can find them many places. I just set it in the sink and when it's near full dump the water down the drain.



These certainly reduce the moisture content in the air, but they require periodic tending and they can't keep up with heavy condensation.

For the last two years I have added one of these. If you are hooked up to shore power I highly recommend one.

De-humidifier



It keeps the temp in the closed boat just warm enough that no condensation forms. It also adds just enough heat to avoid freezing problems up here were we never get way below freezing for very long.

I usually tip up the cushions and open up many of the hatches and the galley so the warmer air can circulate. I also block the head door ajar.

This has elimiated all moisture problems for us. You may have more issues if you have leaks. Our boat is bone dry and we store it covered out of the water.

[pokerrick1]

in fact, while they are removed you might consider upgrading to a higher density foam product. it's a cheap fix and makes sitting and sleeping much more comfortable.

A little off the subject - - - but I sleep on my 3/4 nights a week and I agree that the aft Queen berth was way too soft, difficult to crawl around on to make the bed, and generally killed my back. So I went about finding a boat cushion place to get more foam just to put under the current cushions uncovered to give it more depth and base. The estimates were ABSURD!!! OUT OF SIGHT HIGH Then it hit me - - - the Mac factory makes EXACRLY what I wanted - - - why not get it from them? So I asked my dealer to pick up just the aft berth foam and he did - - - for about $60/$70 I can't remember exactly vs $250/$450 quoted by cushion shops. Of course it worked perfectly and I am more stable crawling around back there and my back is fine.

As a matter of fact - - - my back now hurts when I go home and sleep in my own bed

Rick

[pokerrick1]

My point is don't forget the factory as a source of foam - - - even if only to place under the current cushions. They know all the correct sizes and they will be MUCH cheaper! You wouldn't do that in the dinnette and on the couch because of asthetic reasons, but it works fine for forward and aft berths.

Rick

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

We replaced all our foam with much higher quality foam from foamsweetfoam.com. Doing all the bottoms (not the back's) of the seats and berths was just over $200. We ordered it cut close to the right size, trimmed as needed and put it in the factory covers.

The factory foam is about the worst foam I've ever slept on. They clearly buy based on price, not quality. Our new foam is much firmer and denser. Even though it is only 3" you do not bottom out at all like on the factory stuff.

Better foam is not real expensive and makes a huge difference compared to the factory foam.

For the most comfort we bought a cheap queen size 1" memory foam topper and use this on the new firmer cushions. A nice soft layer on top with the firmer underlayer makes the berths as comfotable as a pillow top inner spring matress at home.

[Dannie]

Thanks for your replies. I may look at replacing the foam this winter as a project, for now I just brought them home yesterday since I am only a few miles from the marina.

I am running 2 of the De-Humidifiers and 2 of the Eva-Dry units now since I am hooked to shore power, the electrical 110V will be my next modifications.

Are any of you using either products like HyperVent? http://www.hypervent.com.au/index.htm

Thanks again guys for your response, and guess what, here comes the rain again.