We just put a deposit on a new 350 and are debating between the closed cell and standard cushions. We do understand the standard are softer, but after having a boat where we have to constantly drag the cushions in in case of rain we thought the closed cell would be a good choice. My wife is afraid they will be too hard and too uncomfortable. The main reason I would get the closed cell is so I would not have to worry bringing them in everytime rain threatens. I would like to hear comments from owners of both types. If you have regular cushions where do you stow them in case of rain while on board? Do they fit nicely in the lazarettes or do you have to stow them in the salon or aft berth? Thanks for your input. Paul and Nancy
closed cell or regular cockpit cushions
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Colin Wightman
Closed
This summer we (family of 4) lived aboard our C36 for 11 weeks while cruising 200 miles through the great lakes. Before we left, we completed a number of boat projects but the one that made the most profound difference was replacing our open-cell cockpit cushions with closed cell. With four people (and a cat) living aboard, not having the cabin cluttered with cushions when it was raining was critical to our sanity. We also decided that they were actually more comfortable than the softer open-cell when you're sitting in the cockpit all day. Get some "L"-shaped pieces that can provide cushioning for your back while you're at it. Oh yeah...if you ever manage to drop somebody overboard, they're going to be a lot happier if you pitch closed-cell cushions to them! Colin
This summer we (family of 4) lived aboard our C36 for 11 weeks while cruising 200 miles through the great lakes. Before we left, we completed a number of boat projects but the one that made the most profound difference was replacing our open-cell cockpit cushions with closed cell. With four people (and a cat) living aboard, not having the cabin cluttered with cushions when it was raining was critical to our sanity. We also decided that they were actually more comfortable than the softer open-cell when you're sitting in the cockpit all day. Get some "L"-shaped pieces that can provide cushioning for your back while you're at it. Oh yeah...if you ever manage to drop somebody overboard, they're going to be a lot happier if you pitch closed-cell cushions to them! Colin
C-Cushions
Colin, Did you purchase c-cushions? I am interested in getting closed cell cushions, but am not sure if the vinyl coating would last. I need help on what is available. Thanks, David
Colin, Did you purchase c-cushions? I am interested in getting closed cell cushions, but am not sure if the vinyl coating would last. I need help on what is available. Thanks, David
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Colin Wightman
C-Cushions
Yes, we got C-Cushions. The coating seems to be very well attached. You have to be a little careful not to cut them but, even when we did get one cut, the cut didn't grow and the coating shows no sign of peeling back from the cut. We left ours in place while we in port even though that meant we were stepping on and off of it every time we got in or out of the cockpit: they got dirty but nothing worse, and citrus boat soap cleans them brilliantly. Of course, this was one year: Other people will have to speak to long-term performance. Oh yeah...it was 2000 miles: 200 wouldn't have even gotten us across Lake Superior!
Yes, we got C-Cushions. The coating seems to be very well attached. You have to be a little careful not to cut them but, even when we did get one cut, the cut didn't grow and the coating shows no sign of peeling back from the cut. We left ours in place while we in port even though that meant we were stepping on and off of it every time we got in or out of the cockpit: they got dirty but nothing worse, and citrus boat soap cleans them brilliantly. Of course, this was one year: Other people will have to speak to long-term performance. Oh yeah...it was 2000 miles: 200 wouldn't have even gotten us across Lake Superior!
Our C350 has closed cell cushions
Paul, We have the closed cell cushions on our C350. They are very comfortable. They seem durable also, our dog (chocolate lab) walks around on them and they haven't punctured (so far!). Haven't tried to store them in the cockpit locker, but that sounds like a nice idea. Might give it a try this weekend. Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
Paul, We have the closed cell cushions on our C350. They are very comfortable. They seem durable also, our dog (chocolate lab) walks around on them and they haven't punctured (so far!). Haven't tried to store them in the cockpit locker, but that sounds like a nice idea. Might give it a try this weekend. Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
BottomSiders
We've had good luck with closed cell BottomSiders on all of our boats. You can check out owner reviews and purchase them from this site - see Related link below. Best, Trevor
We've had good luck with closed cell BottomSiders on all of our boats. You can check out owner reviews and purchase them from this site - see Related link below. Best, Trevor
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Bob
Closed Cell - Vote
We have closed cell on our Catalina 30 and they are FANTASTIC! No covered cushions to worry about (getting wet, fading, staining, bulkier to store, less flexible, stitching coming loose, zippers breaking, piping coming off, etc, etc, etc). This is our first experience with closed cell and they are tough as nails, comfortable and easier to stow....................nuff said. You can always add some rectangular "throwable" color co-ordinated cushions for the helmsman seat if you really need more cushioning. Regards Bob
We have closed cell on our Catalina 30 and they are FANTASTIC! No covered cushions to worry about (getting wet, fading, staining, bulkier to store, less flexible, stitching coming loose, zippers breaking, piping coming off, etc, etc, etc). This is our first experience with closed cell and they are tough as nails, comfortable and easier to stow....................nuff said. You can always add some rectangular "throwable" color co-ordinated cushions for the helmsman seat if you really need more cushioning. Regards Bob
Best Purchase
Over last winter, I ordered Bottomsiders at one of the area boat shows. After a summer cruising with them, my wife says they are the best investment we made in the boat. This says a lot since I have spent plenty on stuff like radar and electrical upgrades. They stay put on the seats and are easy to keep clean and dry. Priority #1; keep the admiral happy. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Over last winter, I ordered Bottomsiders at one of the area boat shows. After a summer cruising with them, my wife says they are the best investment we made in the boat. This says a lot since I have spent plenty on stuff like radar and electrical upgrades. They stay put on the seats and are easy to keep clean and dry. Priority #1; keep the admiral happy. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Bottomsiders-Catalina or other brand????
Thank you all for your responses. One thing I am not clear about. Are bottomsiders a different brand? We were planning on ordering the closed cell cushions directly from the Catalina option list. From the comments here I am thinking there may be different brands. Do any of you have the closed cells that came directly from Catalina? How do bottomsiders differ from the Catalina otpion?
Thank you all for your responses. One thing I am not clear about. Are bottomsiders a different brand? We were planning on ordering the closed cell cushions directly from the Catalina option list. From the comments here I am thinking there may be different brands. Do any of you have the closed cells that came directly from Catalina? How do bottomsiders differ from the Catalina otpion?
Bottomsiders are different
I am not sure where Catalina sources their cushions. Bottomsiders are a separate company that has hundreds of patterns for different boats. It took about 4 weeks for mine to arrive, once I ordered them. I paid about $600 for a set of three cushions. I would see if you could get the dealer to include the cushions for free. I bet that Catalina charges a lot more than $600. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I am not sure where Catalina sources their cushions. Bottomsiders are a separate company that has hundreds of patterns for different boats. It took about 4 weeks for mine to arrive, once I ordered them. I paid about $600 for a set of three cushions. I would see if you could get the dealer to include the cushions for free. I bet that Catalina charges a lot more than $600. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
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robert taylor
my experience
i had c-cushion brand closed foam on 2 other boats over a 4 year period. i am a live aboard so they get a lot of use....every day. i loved them. they never got a puncture and looked as good when the boat sold as the day they were purchased. when i bought my new c-380, i did not want factory cushions and thought i would buy bottom siders because they were $40 cheaper and 1 week quicker on delivery. this was a huge mistake. whithin 2 months, the surface began to look like cellulite. i began to notice small punctures. i took digital photos of the problem and sent them to bottom siders. their take was a)they were damaged in shipment (ha!) b) i had mis-treated them (Ha!!) the best they would do is "look at them" if i returned them at my expense!!! the problem was obvious...the latex was too hot when they were dipped. not only did this damage the foam, but left a coating that was too thin. they did not try to stand behind their product. go with c-cushions....they have a great product.
i had c-cushion brand closed foam on 2 other boats over a 4 year period. i am a live aboard so they get a lot of use....every day. i loved them. they never got a puncture and looked as good when the boat sold as the day they were purchased. when i bought my new c-380, i did not want factory cushions and thought i would buy bottom siders because they were $40 cheaper and 1 week quicker on delivery. this was a huge mistake. whithin 2 months, the surface began to look like cellulite. i began to notice small punctures. i took digital photos of the problem and sent them to bottom siders. their take was a)they were damaged in shipment (ha!) b) i had mis-treated them (Ha!!) the best they would do is "look at them" if i returned them at my expense!!! the problem was obvious...the latex was too hot when they were dipped. not only did this damage the foam, but left a coating that was too thin. they did not try to stand behind their product. go with c-cushions....they have a great product.
Catalina closed cell cushions
Paul, The closed cell cushions on our C350 are from the C350 options list. Very comfortable and durable. If we had to do it over again, we would order the same ones. Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
Paul, The closed cell cushions on our C350 are from the C350 options list. Very comfortable and durable. If we had to do it over again, we would order the same ones. Jack "Friendship" C350, #80
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