Hi guys, We are looking at purchasing cockpit cushions for our Hunter 37 Legend. Our boat has the curved seats, not flat on top. They are supposed to be better for sailing while heeled over...but not that comfortable at the docks. Has anyone ever made or found supplier to make a curved seat cushion that would fill in the curved portion and result in a flat top? I have made a cutout of the profile but unable to find a supplier who can make. CCushions and Bottom siders are saying no....any suggestions?? Thanks, Paul
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A Professional Point of View, I think
Paul, The first thing I must say is that I am not using this forum as to advertise, for free, on Phil's nickel. Secondly, you must have an appreciation that the only type of foam that exists that would suit your "offshore" sailing purposes is the PVC/Closed Cell type. We likely all understand the properties -- one can step on it under way safely, and it does not absorb water. It's otherwise perfect, except it sometimes shrinks. This foam is made in a flat format, not exceeding 2" in thickness, rather hard, and very dense. The two company's you contacted cut flat pieces of this type of foam, dip them in vinyl, ship them to you, and in little time, you have the same shape, a little higher, and a little softer. "Profile" cutting of foam is a reality -- we do that all the time for interior cushions -- but, I much doubt that even if one laminated several pieces of flat PVC together, you could not cut through the length of your seats with a profile saw, especially in PVC foam. Where you willing to give up the "under way footing" advantage of PVC foam, you could use a product generally referred to as "Dry-Fast" foam. It is the exact opposite of PVC -- it lets water run right through it, but It's considerably softer. This type of foam can be profile cut, but would require a cut-and-sew covering. Also, you'd need to consider the effect of dealing with 3" of thickness or more, and how that effected your total seating above the floor. Honest, you don't want to have your feet dangling. And in closing, and to prove my very first point, Paul, I don't have patterns or templates for your cockpit cushions. Shoud you care for yet another, perhaps differring opinion, the folling link provided.
Paul, The first thing I must say is that I am not using this forum as to advertise, for free, on Phil's nickel. Secondly, you must have an appreciation that the only type of foam that exists that would suit your "offshore" sailing purposes is the PVC/Closed Cell type. We likely all understand the properties -- one can step on it under way safely, and it does not absorb water. It's otherwise perfect, except it sometimes shrinks. This foam is made in a flat format, not exceeding 2" in thickness, rather hard, and very dense. The two company's you contacted cut flat pieces of this type of foam, dip them in vinyl, ship them to you, and in little time, you have the same shape, a little higher, and a little softer. "Profile" cutting of foam is a reality -- we do that all the time for interior cushions -- but, I much doubt that even if one laminated several pieces of flat PVC together, you could not cut through the length of your seats with a profile saw, especially in PVC foam. Where you willing to give up the "under way footing" advantage of PVC foam, you could use a product generally referred to as "Dry-Fast" foam. It is the exact opposite of PVC -- it lets water run right through it, but It's considerably softer. This type of foam can be profile cut, but would require a cut-and-sew covering. Also, you'd need to consider the effect of dealing with 3" of thickness or more, and how that effected your total seating above the floor. Honest, you don't want to have your feet dangling. And in closing, and to prove my very first point, Paul, I don't have patterns or templates for your cockpit cushions. Shoud you care for yet another, perhaps differring opinion, the folling link provided.
Man...
I'd buy one, too, for my 35.5!!! I hate the curved helm seat! I appreciate Winky's advice, but don't think that softer foam would work that well. Something I've considered is taking out the curved seat insert and replacing it with a flat wood piece then putting the regular cockpit seat cushion type foam on top of that. Seem to remember they offered "blocks" or "risers" as an optional piece.
I'd buy one, too, for my 35.5!!! I hate the curved helm seat! I appreciate Winky's advice, but don't think that softer foam would work that well. Something I've considered is taking out the curved seat insert and replacing it with a flat wood piece then putting the regular cockpit seat cushion type foam on top of that. Seem to remember they offered "blocks" or "risers" as an optional piece.
Thanks for comments....
To be clear, I am referring to the starboard and port cockpit seats. They have the curved seat bottoms....deeper at the outsides and curve up toward the center of the cockpit. When the boat is level, one tends to slide back into the seats. Difficult to sit upright at the cockpit table during those most important dock side dinner and drink engagements
The stern seats have a flat surface...but they are arched with the helm seat at the high point. No problem ordering standard cushions for these areas. Anyways, keep the suggestions coming if anyone else has ideas. Thanks.
To be clear, I am referring to the starboard and port cockpit seats. They have the curved seat bottoms....deeper at the outsides and curve up toward the center of the cockpit. When the boat is level, one tends to slide back into the seats. Difficult to sit upright at the cockpit table during those most important dock side dinner and drink engagements
The stern seats have a flat surface...but they are arched with the helm seat at the high point. No problem ordering standard cushions for these areas. Anyways, keep the suggestions coming if anyone else has ideas. Thanks.
I have Bottomsiders (R) on my L37
I have had them for 12 years and must say they are nice! The curvature of the seat makes no difference while underway because they are still comfortable (even at rest). The only caution is not to get them in a dark color because they will get hot. I have white ones and don't have a problem washing them. Just be cautious about stepping on them with shoes that can grind the dirt (grit) into them. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about the curve.
I have had them for 12 years and must say they are nice! The curvature of the seat makes no difference while underway because they are still comfortable (even at rest). The only caution is not to get them in a dark color because they will get hot. I have white ones and don't have a problem washing them. Just be cautious about stepping on them with shoes that can grind the dirt (grit) into them. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about the curve.
Bottomsiders - ups and downs
Bottomsider makes a good product ... But the customer service sucks. I had a minor problem dents on shipping. after spending about $1400 on them and they all but told me to get lost its your problem and the checks in the bank
Bottomsider makes a good product ... But the customer service sucks. I had a minor problem dents on shipping. after spending about $1400 on them and they all but told me to get lost its your problem and the checks in the bank
Hey Paul...
thanks for your thoughts. By using the standard botom siders, do you find that you don't slide back into the seats while at dock eating at the cockpit table? Currently, we sit on boat pillows to get ourselves out of the curved seat to sit upright at the table. Paul
thanks for your thoughts. By using the standard botom siders, do you find that you don't slide back into the seats while at dock eating at the cockpit table? Currently, we sit on boat pillows to get ourselves out of the curved seat to sit upright at the table. Paul
Just For You, The Best of Both Worlds
The Solution: "Profile Cut" 70 Lb, compression (that's harder foam than you'd like in your salon seats) Dri-Fast foam to a shape of 1/2" thick at the inboard edge to what ever the rest of your section view is as to create "flat." "Fabricate" (that's the in-the-trade term for Glue) these pieces to the underside of 2" PVC/Closed Cell foam. Choose a surface material, and cut-and-sew the cover. You end up with your cocktail party/dinner posture, a cushion that'll float in the ocean, dry off/out quite quickly, and it will be 90% as seaworthy regards "walking on" under way. By the way, is there a prise -- I was thinking that this was a contest of sorts ? Heplful link # 2, just to keep the ideas coming in
The Solution: "Profile Cut" 70 Lb, compression (that's harder foam than you'd like in your salon seats) Dri-Fast foam to a shape of 1/2" thick at the inboard edge to what ever the rest of your section view is as to create "flat." "Fabricate" (that's the in-the-trade term for Glue) these pieces to the underside of 2" PVC/Closed Cell foam. Choose a surface material, and cut-and-sew the cover. You end up with your cocktail party/dinner posture, a cushion that'll float in the ocean, dry off/out quite quickly, and it will be 90% as seaworthy regards "walking on" under way. By the way, is there a prise -- I was thinking that this was a contest of sorts ? Heplful link # 2, just to keep the ideas coming in
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