I was unhappy with my stock Mac cockpit cushions and no wonder, foam was crushed and they stuck to your skin when it was hot enough to want to lie on the cockpit seats. Also, they would always fall down when tacking with heel-just when you don't want your legs tangled up. These cushions are made from 1 inch closed cell pad. They are covered with a canvas duck. Special size length to fit with my traveler set up. Can be used as MOB flotation (closed cell won't fill with water). Yes, the cotton can get wet, but I'll deal with it. I like the bold colors. Installed snaps on the bottom to keep them in place. Curtains down below next... John S Boise
- Status
Hey John
Where did you get the 1 inch closed cell foam in pieces large enough? And how much did that cost? Did you have these made or do it yourself? Looks good! I would like some too, but maybe just plain blue...
Where did you get the 1 inch closed cell foam in pieces large enough? And how much did that cost? Did you have these made or do it yourself? Looks good! I would like some too, but maybe just plain blue...
Sources
Ebay. Once in a while, if you search "closed cell foam" you will see something. Moat of the ccfoam is real thin. Right now, all foam is very expensive but this piece, big enough for two cushions, cost something like $20 = shipping. Yes I made them. I wanted something that fit the traveler length and had a cotton cover. There are lots of canvas duck colors. 1 inch of closed cell has more padding than 2 inch of open, that's for sure. I have children (9,10) and I like to surprise them with eye-catching colors- I can make them more sedate in the future, or change to Sunbrella.
Ebay. Once in a while, if you search "closed cell foam" you will see something. Moat of the ccfoam is real thin. Right now, all foam is very expensive but this piece, big enough for two cushions, cost something like $20 = shipping. Yes I made them. I wanted something that fit the traveler length and had a cotton cover. There are lots of canvas duck colors. 1 inch of closed cell has more padding than 2 inch of open, that's for sure. I have children (9,10) and I like to surprise them with eye-catching colors- I can make them more sedate in the future, or change to Sunbrella.
Inexpensive cushions
I have made a number of cockpit cushions with either 1" closed cell or 1 1/2 to 2" open cell foam. The open cell foam came from old couch cushions cut in half (4"thick to two 2" pieces)and made to fit the pattern of the seat. Starting with a 1/8" piece of luan plywood cut to fit the cockpit seat, I first laid out a piece of light colored vinyl or naugahyde with 3" overlap on all sides face down. Then lay on the foam cut to shape, then the plywood. Staple the cover onto the plywood with a power stapler. Back cushions can be made the same way. If making back cushions, then allow space at the back of the seat cushions for the back cushions to fit down all the way to the seat since they will work their way down anyway. I never had trouble with them slipping but you can use velcro if you find slipping a problem. If you want, you can add vinyl to cover the bare plywood on the bottom by bruxhing on contact cement as a sealant. Now they can even get wet...not overboard, but from swim suits, etc. They should be stored in the cabin when not in use. Twenty years ago for my new Hunter 23 I had cushions made for $278 and didn't regret it, but with several boats since then, making them myself has worked as just as well.
I have made a number of cockpit cushions with either 1" closed cell or 1 1/2 to 2" open cell foam. The open cell foam came from old couch cushions cut in half (4"thick to two 2" pieces)and made to fit the pattern of the seat. Starting with a 1/8" piece of luan plywood cut to fit the cockpit seat, I first laid out a piece of light colored vinyl or naugahyde with 3" overlap on all sides face down. Then lay on the foam cut to shape, then the plywood. Staple the cover onto the plywood with a power stapler. Back cushions can be made the same way. If making back cushions, then allow space at the back of the seat cushions for the back cushions to fit down all the way to the seat since they will work their way down anyway. I never had trouble with them slipping but you can use velcro if you find slipping a problem. If you want, you can add vinyl to cover the bare plywood on the bottom by bruxhing on contact cement as a sealant. Now they can even get wet...not overboard, but from swim suits, etc. They should be stored in the cabin when not in use. Twenty years ago for my new Hunter 23 I had cushions made for $278 and didn't regret it, but with several boats since then, making them myself has worked as just as well.
Cushion Storage
My design parameters differ from yours, Old Salt. First of all, while I try to make things as cheaply as possible, in the end I want things to be nice. I would never reuse some old cushions from anywhere. I particularly find that storage on my boat is a big criteria..My cushions are not wooden backed, they are pieces of foam that I made "socks" to cover. As far as securing the cushions, velcro is for those who don't look into the future! I have seen many applications of velcro, in which, over time, the velcro became stronger than the glue. Sure, you can sew the fabric side, but the glued side will eventually pull off. Cushions will fall off the seats, unless you can keep your boat from heeling. Then they get in the way or worse. I installed marine grade snap fasteners to the underside of these cushions, and as they are lightweight (another design criteria) the wind might otherwise take them away. These cushions will lie alongside the aft berth mattress, take up relatively small space, and not hurt the crew if they stumble and fall accross them. Are you sure your ideas are well thought out? Or are you letting your pocketbook design yours? If I throw these cushions to a MOB, it will not cause a concussion. John S Boise
My design parameters differ from yours, Old Salt. First of all, while I try to make things as cheaply as possible, in the end I want things to be nice. I would never reuse some old cushions from anywhere. I particularly find that storage on my boat is a big criteria..My cushions are not wooden backed, they are pieces of foam that I made "socks" to cover. As far as securing the cushions, velcro is for those who don't look into the future! I have seen many applications of velcro, in which, over time, the velcro became stronger than the glue. Sure, you can sew the fabric side, but the glued side will eventually pull off. Cushions will fall off the seats, unless you can keep your boat from heeling. Then they get in the way or worse. I installed marine grade snap fasteners to the underside of these cushions, and as they are lightweight (another design criteria) the wind might otherwise take them away. These cushions will lie alongside the aft berth mattress, take up relatively small space, and not hurt the crew if they stumble and fall accross them. Are you sure your ideas are well thought out? Or are you letting your pocketbook design yours? If I throw these cushions to a MOB, it will not cause a concussion. John S Boise
Simply Wild!
John, They look simply wild - good job. Any luck on finding a 26M to measure in Boise? I'll be in Trinidad for a couple of months. Going to the local marina tomorrow to check on renting a day-sailer. Hope to do some sailign while I'm here. Left my M back in Texas with a dealer for some motor maintenance. Kind Regard, JonBill
John, They look simply wild - good job. Any luck on finding a 26M to measure in Boise? I'll be in Trinidad for a couple of months. Going to the local marina tomorrow to check on renting a day-sailer. Hope to do some sailign while I'm here. Left my M back in Texas with a dealer for some motor maintenance. Kind Regard, JonBill
Nice looking cushions....
They look nice...makes the cockpit "alive" ! But watch for 'fading' without using your bimini.
They look nice...makes the cockpit "alive" ! But watch for 'fading' without using your bimini.
Cushions
Louis, The bimini is a must for my family and me, we've had enough sun. JonBill, I may have a source for an M that I heard about... I can sew up a new set of covers in no time, I figure these are good for a season. I am trying to get up enough nerve to use the seam ripper on my canvas pop top to get a pattern for a hot weather model, it will have a neat kind of screen instead of clear vinyl and I found a light weight type of Top Gun like fabric for the body. One thing that really irks me about my pop top cover is that there are no windows facing forward, I want to change that. John S Boise
Louis, The bimini is a must for my family and me, we've had enough sun. JonBill, I may have a source for an M that I heard about... I can sew up a new set of covers in no time, I figure these are good for a season. I am trying to get up enough nerve to use the seam ripper on my canvas pop top to get a pattern for a hot weather model, it will have a neat kind of screen instead of clear vinyl and I found a light weight type of Top Gun like fabric for the body. One thing that really irks me about my pop top cover is that there are no windows facing forward, I want to change that. John S Boise
how about.....
What do you think of buying some 1/4" closed cell foam, and inserting in in the cover over the old foam? seems the 1/4" is plentiful. and cheap. retail prices for 3" were out of the question http://cgi.ebay.com/1-4-x-36-x-60-Hi-Dense-CLOSED-CELL-Upholstery-Foam_W0QQitemZ6028810897QQcategoryZ47121QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
What do you think of buying some 1/4" closed cell foam, and inserting in in the cover over the old foam? seems the 1/4" is plentiful. and cheap. retail prices for 3" were out of the question http://cgi.ebay.com/1-4-x-36-x-60-Hi-Dense-CLOSED-CELL-Upholstery-Foam_W0QQitemZ6028810897QQcategoryZ47121QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Cockpit Mods
Anything will help the stock cushions. I heard that a factory that makes a lot of the foam for sale in the USA was damaged in the hurricane. Foam is also a petroleum based product, so it is exspensive. My traveler installation was the last straw for my stock cushions. On a hot day, we had to put down towels before lying on them, so I figured I'd just fix everything at once. The 1/4 in foam will be surprisingly firm and might make a good mod. You can see how lucky I was to get the piece I did at the price. Probably never find another, but I have some ideas for back rest cushions.... John S
Anything will help the stock cushions. I heard that a factory that makes a lot of the foam for sale in the USA was damaged in the hurricane. Foam is also a petroleum based product, so it is exspensive. My traveler installation was the last straw for my stock cushions. On a hot day, we had to put down towels before lying on them, so I figured I'd just fix everything at once. The 1/4 in foam will be surprisingly firm and might make a good mod. You can see how lucky I was to get the piece I did at the price. Probably never find another, but I have some ideas for back rest cushions.... John S
another idea
why dont you pad the lifelines? my PO did mine, works pretty well. I just have the furthest aft section, but with your skills you could do the whole set... 3/8 pvc and pipe insulation over lifelines, then sew some matching covers. and I know you need another project! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/TenThousandIslands/828d8c85.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/TenThousandIslands/d4549e29.jpg
why dont you pad the lifelines? my PO did mine, works pretty well. I just have the furthest aft section, but with your skills you could do the whole set... 3/8 pvc and pipe insulation over lifelines, then sew some matching covers. and I know you need another project! http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/TenThousandIslands/828d8c85.jpg http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/TenThousandIslands/d4549e29.jpg
- Status