Anyone use Yoga Mats for cockpit cushions?

[Carl Wonderful]

Knowing the cost of cushions, I'm wondering if the thick (1"+) yoga mats would work as a simple, lasting, and cheap solution for cockpit cushions?

If it works, are there special types of foam to choose that will not let water in...or are they all basically waterproof?

I've been using a yoga mat (thick one) in my cockpit for a few days now and it seems like it would work great. I'm wondering why though I've never seen this or heard it talked about? Am I missing something...

Also curious what is best simple way to cut a yoga mat down that's leaves a nice edge?

Cool beans'

 

[dlochner]

There are 2 basic types of foam, open cell and closed cell. Open cell foams are like sponges, the bubbles that form the foam are broken and water can pass through the foam. Closed cell are the opposite, the cells are closed and they are more or less impervious to water passage. Within the these two types there are dozens of variations.

The easiest way to cut foam is with an electric knife or a fancy foam cutter that Sailrite.com sells. Sailrite also has good technical information on various foams used for seating and sleeping.

 

[thinwater]

One-inch closed cell foam is best cut with a sharp razor knife. The "foam cutters" are for thicker foam and open cell foam.

Sure, why not. I've made cushions out of closed cell foam pool floats. They can be anchored in place by gluing loops of webbing (Skia 291, at least 4-inch tail) to the underside and clipping to pad eyes with mini carabiners.

cutting foam

 

[dLj]

I've been using yoga mats on my boat for years. Closed cell is the way to go in my opinion. Cutting them - I use a straight edge that can push the foam down so it's compressed then cut with a razor. Works well enough for what I need. Depending upon how thick the foam is I'll use a thicker straight edge to be able to compress the foam better. You'll want a nice compressed edge to cut.

dj

p.s. when cutting, I take a piece of plywood and put a layer of cardboard on top, then lay the foam on, compress and cut.

 

[MFD]

I use them for carpet inside in the winter - keeps the toes warm and they are soft and grippy even with socks.
This year I have also been using one in the cockpit off and on to sit on.
Not sure how they hold up to UV long term.
Mine are pretty thin, maybe 1/2", and were easy to trim with a carpet knife.

 

[colemj]

On a previous boat, we used thicker closed cell pool floats. One was enough for the two cockpit benches. It was meant to be temporary, and covered with canvas, but we found the coating on it fine, and the foam to last a long time. Never did replace with "proper" cushions.

Like this: Amazon.com

Mark

 

[Carl Wonderful]

On a previous boat, we used thicker closed cell pool floats. One was enough for the two cockpit benches. It was meant to be temporary, and covered with canvas, but we found the coating on it fine, and the foam to last a long time. Never did replace with "proper" cushions.

Like this: Amazon.com

Mark

Those look nice. Little pricey though... Know where I can just buy plain closed cell foam on its own?

Also what kind of "canvas" did you cover them in? Just regular artists canvas or special outdoor canvas material...or like the canvas drop cloths sold for painting walls (this last one was an idea of mine but probably wouldn't work?) ? I'm trying to do this as simple and as affordable as possible. Function is my only real concern. I'm
good with my hands so I'm willing to spend the time to make cheap materials look pretty good (hopefully, lol)

 

[dLj]

Those look nice. Little pricey though... Know where I can just buy plain closed cell foam on its own?

Also what kind of "canvas" did you cover them in? Just regular artists canvas or special outdoor canvas material...or like the canvas drop cloths sold for painting walls (this last one was an idea of mine but probably wouldn't work?) ? I'm trying to do this as simple and as affordable as possible. Function is my only real concern. I'm
good with my hands so I'm willing to spend the time to make cheap materials look pretty good (hopefully, lol)

Here's a pretty cheap yoga mat off Amazon.

Amazon.com

It's a closed cell foam. They are about $16 each. Only 1/2" thick but you can get some contact cement and put two together to get close to 1" or 3 if you'd like. Then if you put an inexpensive cover on them nobody would even know...

Lot's of ways to skin the cat...

dj

 

[...3TacksontheWater]

You do know, you can have your cake and eat it too:

Deck/Cockpit Cushions | Oceansouth

Dense 65mm Foam: Offers superior comfort and support Durable Marine-Grade Fabric: Altas marine-grade fabric for Blue & Gray cushions, PVC fabric for White…

oceansouth.com

George

 

[colemj]

Those look nice. Little pricey though... Know where I can just buy plain closed cell foam on its own?

Also what kind of "canvas" did you cover them in? Just regular artists canvas or special outdoor canvas material...or like the canvas drop cloths sold for painting walls (this last one was an idea of mine but probably wouldn't work?) ? I'm trying to do this as simple and as affordable as possible. Function is my only real concern. I'm
good with my hands so I'm willing to spend the time to make cheap materials look pretty good (hopefully, lol)

Depending on your cockpit seat width, one of those could be enough for two seats.

I do know where you can get closed cell foam (you can google for it in your area), but it will cost more than these floats. Closed cell foam is expensive for small amounts.

We never did end up covering it with canvas, as we found the coating on them to work fine. Otherwise, the plan was to use Sunbrella. I think artist and drop cloth canvas is cotton? You wouldn't want that for seat coverings. I used the word "canvas" in a very general sense, but meant a suitable fabric.

Mark

 

[dLj]

I think artist and drop cloth canvas is cotton? You wouldn't want that for seat coverings.

Just curious - why not?

dj

 

[colemj]

Just curious - why not?

dj

I assume cotton would stay wet pretty long before drying compared to an acrylic or similar.

When we bought our previous boat, it had duck canvas cockpit shades. These didn't last long in the tropic sun before they were ripping and rotting. This wouldn't be as much of a concern in Western PA.

Mark

 

[dLj]

I assume cotton would stay wet pretty long before drying compared to an acrylic or similar.

When we bought our previous boat, it had duck canvas cockpit shades. These didn't last long in the tropic sun before they were ripping and rotting. This wouldn't be as much of a concern in Western PA.

Mark

Got it - makes sense.

I've used 3M Scotchgard Heavy Duty Water Shield on cotton fabrics making them pretty water proof? resistance?. I've never tried it on cushions so don't know how well it might work in that application. I usually have a can or two on-board as it's really handy to "beef up" the water proofness/resistance of all sorts of fabrics found on a boat.

Cotton isn't highly UV resistant but for Moraine State park in Western PA probably not a big deal - as you mentioned above...

dj

 

[thinwater]

To me, one of the big factors is sliding. You can secure them; that helps and is vital. But they should also have inherently high friction, IMO. I hate cushions that shift.

I've been thinking about coating my closed-cell cushions. I'm afraid it will make them slip.

 

[shemandr]

Slipping cockpit cushions are dangerous while sailing.

 

[Carl Wonderful]

Any thoughts on using something like the folding gym mats? They're very cheap for how big they are, have good firm cushioning and come already covered in some sort of vinyl or similar. Could probably cut and sew the vinyl down to fit the pieces you need...?

Would the coating last in the sun?
The foam is different than a yoga mat, but not sure if that's a problem.... Seems like they are usually a sort of closed cell foam, usually whitish in color?