Back support for cabin seating

[RussC]

I haven't heard any other complaints or solutions to the lack of back support in the cabin seating, but our Mac 25 had no back at all for the aft seat and the forward seat back was straight up and down. both were back killers after any more than brief stints at the table. Annnywho........ We couldn't take it anymore, so I had to come up with a solution. the newly angled seat-back on the forward side is fixed in position and was pretty simple to do.


The aft (also now angled) seating required a bit more fabrication. because I had previously installed drawers behind that area, the new seat-back had to be hinged. and as long as I was adding the hinge it was just too easy to fabricate a support post to hold it in a "table" position NOT to add in that feature. The added table might be useful as a "holding area" wile cooking, which we always do in the cockpit. when the seat-back is all the way up there's a sliding latch to hold it up so the drawers can be easily accessed. We'll need to make some new cushions for that side, but the comfort factor has been improved by factor of about 99. my back loves the changes already.

 

[jssailem]

I like your idea. I've used a small wedge cushion I had nade and I placed it behind the regular cushions. Helped. But I'm still searching for a better idea.

 

[justsomeguy]

Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Now how about my buttocks?

 

[RussC]

Homo Sapiens Sapiens. Now how about my buttocks?

I be workin' on it boss!! I be working' on it. How did all this dirt get in bosses ditch?.

 

[justsomeguy]

I be workin' on it boss!! I be working' on it. How did all this dirt get in bosses ditch?.

I think the cure for this would be that really firm, expensive foam.

 

[RussC]

All foam isn't firm, but it is all expensive (the good stuff). I found a really comfortable foam for our V berth bed, but the cabin cushions are still waiting for the "final version" before spending the big bucks on nice foam. in the meantime I've been using some that was recycled from the oem cushions, and some from other projects. I think we're real close to the final version with this one actually, but I still just cut down what we had for the "proof of concept" . the seats are comfy now, just not very classy looking

 

[vizwhiz]

What's not classy about brown tweed plaid material in a white fiberglass boat interior?

 

[RussC]

What's not classy about brown tweed plaid material in a white fiberglass boat interior?

That's not fugly.... it's "classic" gives it that traditional appeal.

 

[SailormanDan]

.... it's "classic" gives it that traditional appeal.

After 35 years, it means "it's back in style." Sailrite actually has Sunbrella canvas for sale that has similar patterns updated in modern materials, I burst out laughing when I saw it, definitely not what I'm recovering my cushions with this winter.
I like the idea of the seat back, I want something more for my nav table than just sitting on the quarterberth cushion, but it's farther down the list. Thanks for posting the pictures and the thought process.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Somewhere there's a Volkswagen without seat covers

 

[RussC]

Jennifer went with me to Jo-Anns to pick out some material for the seats a couple days ago. I showed her some plaid, but didn't get a positive reaction so I picked up the barque cloth pattern shown, and that got the nod. Because we live on the left coast we'll never make it to the tropical islands by sailing there, so we'll just have to bring the tropics to us .
I also have a whole new appreciation for upholstery shops. even just these 5 cushions took me two very long days to cut out and sew up. Jennifer is a quilter and loves to do that, but I really wanted to build the cushions myself. the "proof of concept" cushions were great practice for me, and we're both extremely happy with the end results, so I guess it all worked out.

 

[vizwhiz]

Looks good!

 

[SailormanDan]

Good job, Russ, I like the pattern!
For my first project I bought broadcloth for $2/yd and made a mock up with my Sailrite, something simple to practice on makes it easier to tackle the bigger projects. I'm looking at redoing my interior cushions this winter myself.

 

[RussC]

Good job, Russ, I like the pattern!
For my first project I bought broadcloth for $2/yd and made a mock up with my Sailrite, something simple to practice on makes it easier to tackle the bigger projects. I'm looking at redoing my interior cushions this winter myself.

Thanks guys.
A couple tricks I can pass along that worked well for me are: Cut out the foam first and get it just the way you need it to fit for each cushion location, allowing that the cushion will be ~3/4"-1" smaller when covered. I used marine grade foam which releases any moisture much faster than the cheeper stuff. When I cut my cloth I just traced around the foam with no additional seam allowance. I sew a 1/2" seam, which gave a total of 1" to compress the foam, so it pulls the cover nice and tight over it. This worked out to be what I would recommend as a maximum, but did give a really clean, wrinkle free, finished fit. I used 3" foam and cut the side panel strips 3 1/2", which gives 2 1/2" finished, for snug sides as well. zippers are nice, but 1" velcro is much cheeper and worked out really well on mine for the closure edge of the cushions.
I also sewed two short strips of velcro on the back of the seat base, and used matching adhesive velcro to stick to the bench, so the cushion doesn't slide around under my butt.
It's a lot of work, but I've always loved doing everything myself, and the satisfaction level is high on this project.
Take your time and you'll enjoy it .

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional.... anything, but I sometimes play one on the internet.