Hi - looking for recommendations for cockpit seat cushions. We have a Sirius 21 and would like to purchase or have cushions made. Any suggestions?
Cockpit Cushions
- Thread starter Sirius Pete
- Start date
Mine are 3 inch medium density foam, wrapped in plastic sheeting (with a vent in the bottom 
) and covered with sunbrella. Been going since 1994 and that includes 3 years live aboard as we cruised
) and covered with sunbrella. Been going since 1994 and that includes 3 years live aboard as we cruised
We have abandoned fixed cockpit cushions in favor of a whole bunch of throwable type 4 cushions. They can be arranged as you wish in the cockpit, in the cabin to make seating more comfortable, carried ashore for a picnic, under your ribs whilst working in the bilge etc.
They are cheap, easy to store and replaced as they get used up
They might even get used in an emergency.
They are cheap, easy to store and replaced as they get used up
They might even get used in an emergency.
There will be lots of opinions from this site. My cushions were purchased from SBO store., which are made of 2" closed-cell foam covered with Sunsure, a woven fabric made with PVC-coated yarn. The cushions float, dry quickly, won't absorb water, and are resistant to mildew, rot, and UV rays. If they do no have your specs, you might be able to provide them a template or dimensions.
Attachments
My then wife made them. She did all the cushions, mattresses, bimini. ALL the canvas work
Oops, didn't catch the then. Nevermind I already have a then wife but she couldn't sew a button on a shirt.
I prefer filling cockpit cushions with reticulated foam. It is soft like upholstery foam but doesn't retain water or mildew. I find closed cell foam so firm it is not much better than the fiberglass on which it rests. It is frightfully expensive but in the long run worth it. Pour a bucket of water over the foam and it drains right through. Also sometimes known as quick-dry - but that could be a proprietary name.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,291
Are cushions good to keep forever?
This project has me wondering. I have had a couple of the folding chair cushions in the cockpit. They are very comfortable. Do require getting out and putting away. Not good when the sea wants to splash into the cockpit.
If you go the common fixed cushion route, do you get tired of the covers over time?
Does the time for mildew to form match the fading of the cushion covers?
How often do your replace cushions to keep the cockpit looking spiffy?
This project has me wondering. I have had a couple of the folding chair cushions in the cockpit. They are very comfortable. Do require getting out and putting away. Not good when the sea wants to splash into the cockpit.
If you go the common fixed cushion route, do you get tired of the covers over time?
Does the time for mildew to form match the fading of the cushion covers?
How often do your replace cushions to keep the cockpit looking spiffy?
jssailem................since you bring these excellent questions up I will offer my experience with 2" closed-cell foam covered with Sunsure (in my case from SBO).
- Forever cushions? Hard to say as I am not sure these cushions will deteriorate with proper care unless continuously left outside exposed to UV, acid rain, ash (from fires), dirt (from agriculture and local construction), salt water, etc. and they get exposed to sharp objects that can penetrate the Sunsure material.
- Fixed cushions? - we have removable ones that are stored when we leave the boat.
- Mildew? - none so long as they are stored dry in a dry cabin.
- Fading? - none as long as they after stored
- Replacement frequency? - When I sold my last boat the cushions were 8 years old and looked brand new and spiffy. Now I have the same cushions on my current boat and they look brand new after nearly 2 years.
We bought our cockpit cushions from C Cushions - Custom cockpit cushions for boats They repel water quite nicely. The company even had the cockpit pattern so no measuring was required. We added in holes on the corners to hold insulated cups while sailing. They are about koozie sized. We've had them for 8 years now and they look great. We do stow them in the quarter berth when not in use.
Sirius Pete..................you might to find this article on boat cushions helpful:
www.windcheckmagazine.com
Replacing Your Boat’s Cushions - WindCheck Magazine
My advice is to look for a manufacturer that specializes in building cushions for boats.
Great article! Thanks much.Sirius Pete..................you might to find this article on boat cushions helpful:
Replacing Your Boat’s Cushions - WindCheck Magazine
My advice is to look for a manufacturer that specializes in building cushions for boats.