Cushions

[Chuck]

Just got a quote for cockpit cushions for my 336. The guy wants to use sunbrella. Says they're easy to clean, and comfortable. Mold/mildew not usually a problem in this area. Fresh water. Any thoughts?Chck

 

[Steve Dion]

It does get mold/mildew.

Chuck:I would disagree. Sunbrella does get mold/mildew and then you need to wash them and retreat the fabric.Take a look at Bottom Siders here on the website. We cover ours with Terry Cloth covers. Keeps dogs prints off them and they are cooler to sit on in the warm summer heat. To make the covers we went to Costco and purchased 4 towels for about $5 ea. Used velcro on the end that fits against the bulkhead. Take them off every weekend (if they are dirty) and wash them with our regular wash.When the weather is foul, you DO NOT use the covers. They clean up easy and DO NOT absorb moisture. They are not cheap, but they are not cheap either!

 

[Bob Camarena]

Abrasive

From my experience in handling my sail covers, I would think that Sunbrella might be a little abrasive on bare skin.

 

[Ron]

Doesn't Wear Well

Sunbrella is an acrylic fabric and is not know for wearing well. If you aren't going to leave your cushions out all the time, go to a fabric shop like Hancock Fabrics or Joann's and see what they have in their remnants. You can save a lot of money... I did! See the link below.

 

[jamie]

sunbrella

Hi When I was redoing my cockpit cushions I looked at sunbrella and they have a special book of fabrics that are designed for upholstrythey are not cheap and some of the fabrics are very attractive.(I did not go this route)

 

[Doug Thom]

Replacing Cushions

We used a nylon open web fabric with open cell type foam which does not retain water because we didn't wnat mold and mildew to return. So far they have been great.

 

[Peter Brennan]

Phifertex

Our boat came with deterorated foam white vinyl cover cockpit cushions. We repl;aced them with home built ones made of closed cell foam (we wanted significant bouyancy) covered with Phifertex. This is a mesh-like material with a durable plastic coating on the fibers. While the color has faded in the sun, it has held up very well. A disadvangate is the mesh -- anything spilled goes straight to the foam cushion and if it's something like wine, it cannot be cleaned. But we live with it.