We are looking at replacing our cockpit squabs. Sailrite recommend using open cell fast dry foam.
Has anyone experience with this product?
Is it more user friendly than closed cell?
Pete
open cell foam is a lot lighter than closed cell foam, and can be a good choice. it is also usually a lot cheaper....
open cell foam is not able to dry as quickly as closed cell foam.... there IS an open cell foam that dries a lot quicker than other types of open cell foam, but most of the problems (and benefits) of open cell foam still exist with it.
open cell foam absorbs water into the open "cells" where it can sit for a long time and so it stays wet, and when it does drain, it can still remain damp for a while.... if it happens to be saltwater that absorbed into it, the salt remains behind even after the water drains away and so continues to absorb moisture from the air and can remain damp forever... and is a lot more prone to mildew than closed cell because of it....the mildew can grow
in to the foam a little bit.
closed cell foam does not absorb water and it is much more buoyant because the gas bubbles are trapped forever within closed cells.... it will dry quicker because the wetness is only on the exterior of it...any mildew that grows is only on the outside of it.
they both have their pros and cons..
for setting on, I prefer the closed cell cockpit cushions, because for a 2" cushion they seem to remain more cushy and resilient.. AND the water runs off so they dry within minutes.... a 2" open cell foam seems to lose a lot of its cush and resilience as the sun warms it up... (but it returns as it cools down again)...and if it gets wet, it will remain wet for quite some time, but this problem is help by using a waterproof fabric covering....
if one has the space to stow thicker (3-4") cockpit cushions on a relatively dry boat, the open cell is the logical choice due to the weight difference.