cushions, back rests, etc

Paul F · Feb 2, 2010

Just redid mine. Use at least 4" of foam for the seats and berths. Also seat backs if they transform into berths. Got the reference for the upholsterer from this site's archive. Will share it if you are close to Clearwater FL.

Ed Schenck · Feb 2, 2010

Jorge, just use the "Search" tab for "cushions upholstery". Lots of good reading with sources of the foam, best kind of foam and covering, etc. Maybe something like the attached pictures, Capt. Sanders' or the suede?

My boat had been reupholstered by the previous owner's wife just before I bought it. Would not have been my choice of fabric colors but is comfortable and has served very well. I use one of those foam egg crate pads under the v-berth cushions. Even these old bones sleep well there.

Steve Dion · Feb 2, 2010

Jorge: It may have been me. If you don't want mold in your foam, then you should consider Latex. None of the foam products are cheap if they are good quality, but you will find that Latex is more expensive. It is a natural product and can last for 20 years or more. Many people that have Latex mattresses in their home actually hand them down to the next generation.

I think that memory foam is actually mold/mildew resistant too, but my mattress guy did not recommend it.

Typically it is not very practical to increase the thickness of the foam/rubber etc. Sometimes they will take two different type of material and glue them together to achieve what you are looking for.

Regardless if you do foam, latex or memory foam quality counts and is usually not the cheapest option.

Johnb · Feb 2, 2010

Vee Berth

We created a mattress by taking a stock rectangular piece of foam, cutting two triangles of the foot end and gluing them on the head end.

An electric meat carving knife works well for cutting and trimming foam because the blades move in opposite directions and cut instead of compressing. The glue for the foam was in an aerosol can and sprayed on.

The absence of joins and the fact that the mattress fits snugly into the vee berth makes for a great bed.

David in Sandusky · Feb 2, 2010

Find a foam wholesaler

We found an excellent foam company who had every possible kind of foam in stock. They advised us on the optimal weight and composition of foam. It had an anti-bacterial additive. Then they fitted the selected foam into the covers we had.

We then unrole a layer of egg-crate foam on top of the cushion, making a truly great mattress for us and our guests.

jorgefife · Feb 2, 2010

John B:
What a great idea, having one piece instead of 2!
I will follow that one for sure, rather than having joints; do you recall what glue you used?
Steve:
Yes it was you who suggested the Latex; I will go with that, sounds good
David:
I know of a foam company, with great prices
I will ask them about the egg crate foam you mentioned; where exactly does that go?
Now you also, Ed:
Thank you so much for always coming in to help; the same question to you: what is egg crate foam? You say it goes under the V berth cushions?
Is it thisck?
I guess the foam guys will probably tell me
Thank you all, I am pestering you again, but I need help to get this boat in great shape!
Jorge

David in Sandusky · Feb 2, 2010

Egg crate

The foam looks like an egg crate, varying between a half inch, and two inches. Cut a piece to match the mattress. We roll it out, with the egg crate (not the flat side) up, then make the bed on top of it.

The other approach is to put it under the cushion. I suggest trying it both ways (we did) then choose the one you like best.

Johnb · Feb 3, 2010

I don't recall what glue we used - that was a 2002 project, but from Wiki answers see below...

To Bond Foam to Foam, spray both sides of Foam.
with Clearco 444 Spray Adhesive. Becomes tacky in Seconds,
and pieces can be joined almost immediately.
This provides a Permanent Bond that is
ideal for building layers of foam or to
attach foam edges together. Great for
cuts, rips or tears in foam.

jorgefife · Feb 3, 2010

Thank you JohnB
And all others

tomgrigsby · Feb 3, 2010

Ed
I don't want to hijack the thread but would like to know what you use on your interior wood? Mine is not shiny and needs attention here & there.

Hanging with the thread ... Jorge I just had new cushions made for my boat at Canvas & Cushions in Hampton, VA (New cushions were a condition of buying the boat, as per the Admiral). I don't know specifically what type of foam was used, but it does need to be fairly dense.

Tom G.

Ed Schenck · Feb 3, 2010

Jorge, before you decide on a one-piece v-berth mattress consider: the lockers that are under there. Don't you have transducers and/or tanks to access? I also have a forward chain locker under the v-berth. Much easier to turn each half of the mattress on their sides to get under there. Or how about the mod(picture) with a bunk bed?

The egg crate foam on my boat is cut to match the shape of the two v-berth mattress halves. Primarily it is to let air circulate under the mattresses so that moisture does not develop. It has the added advantage of making sleeping much softer.

To Tom's question about interior finish. Most Cherubini's that I have been on had the more natural finish, probably just some oil. But the previous owner of my boat had just finished the interior with seven coats of semi-gloss varnish. I really like it, seems very warm and cozy. And easy to clean. Ten years later only a little fading where the sun hits through the companionway slider.

jorgefife · Feb 3, 2010

Ed, I agree; it will be a little bit of a problem to get to the lockers; I have a storage locker under one cushion, and the water tank under the other; besides, I am 6 ft. 3 and 260 pounds, so if I have to get to them will be difficult
I like the idea of the egg crate business though!
I also varnished all my interiors, and they look great
By the way, on the subject:
What is the little inspection cover right at the front of the V berth used for?
Is that to store stuff? Because there is a storage up on deck for storage of the anchor and rode...

Ed Schenck · Feb 4, 2010

About cushions. Did all the boats originally have shiny dark naugahyde bottoms? That part was kept when mine were redone. Jorge, have you examined all of the H33 projects here on HOW? There is so much to be learned there:
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=28&page=model&mn=33_77-83 . And our boats are similar enough that I think a lot of the H37C projects are also worth a look: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=38&page=model&mn=37-cutter .

As for that storage in the bow I don't know how your H33 compares. The H37C had a panel with a hole. You can see what I did with that one winter: http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_kb&Itemid=267&cat_id=38&aid=7223&page=article&mn=37-cutter .

jorgefife · Feb 4, 2010

My cushions are kind of tartan thick cloth in square patterns, ugly as hell
The hole at the front of the V berth is just like the one outside by the wheel steering, that turns a little and then the round lid comes off ( inspection cover?) I whill put 2 louvered doors in there, I saw 2 nice ones at the salvage yard from a Hunter boat
I never looked at the modifications on other boats, but at the H33, yes I have; I will look a t others, the ideas are good even if defferent boats
I will try send a photo of the cloth material on all cushions
One last question: what is the cloth of choice?
Is corduroy acceptable?
Summers in Houston are brutal, winters mild: saw snow for the first time in my life on 4th. December (I'm 56!)
Please advise also if they need to be sprayed with any kind of stuff to protect aginst mold, mildew, etc
I have recovered all panels (ceilings) in raw ceder, which I believe is very good; look at the pictures I sent in recently under the subject of(forgot what)
Jorge

sandpiper10471 · Feb 4, 2010

Gorg: Trying to remember every detail of my former 33. I believe the round inspection plate is to access nuts and bolts from deck fasteners. Very difficult at the best of times. Put in the cupboard doors.
Re V-berth cushions - consider dividing the cushions laterally rather than along the centre line. Makes rolling over easier and no crease to sleep on. Also makes smaller pieces to remove for the storage lockers underneath.

I prefer good quality nylon upholstery material. I find vinyl sweaty and sunbrella too prone to mildew, and not having a nap, uncomfortable. Corduroy can work well if all nylon or polyester. It is a good idea to put something breathable like fiphertex on the bottom so any accumulated moisture can quickly be evaporated. It is well worth the extra money for good foam and fabric.

SamLust · Feb 4, 2010

The round cover is an access/inspection port to the fill and vent hoses for the water tank. I pulled out that panel when I fiberglassed inside the hull for the bob-stay tang I mounted. The space made available became the preferred stoeage place for extra life jackets.

Pictures show:

Area just inside bow, now used for stowage.

8" access/cleaning port cut into water tank.

Larger access area cut into V berth surface to allow better access while I was Adding fiberglass reinforcement tot the bow.

These are all good reasons to keep the cushions as two pieces or even four.

SamLust · Feb 4, 2010

Jorge;
You asked for pictures, so as long as I'm in the bow, here is how I mounted my depth and speed transducers.

jorgefife · Feb 4, 2010

Sandpiper,
I like the idea to divide the cushions laterally: I find the crease in the middle is a bother I admit
Sam, I'm trying to figure out the 2 pictures you sent me

the depth and speed transducers...)
Is that the anchor locker?

jorgefife · Feb 4, 2010

Ed,
Just noticed your compass mounted on the wall in the navigation room: how did you secure it?
Can you take a closer photo, or can you tell me what you did?
Small thing, but I like it, I have a few of those compasses

cushions, back rests, etc

jorge fife

.

.

Attachments

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

Attachments

.

.