The setee and berth cushions in my 77 Hunter 30 are worn thin about now and I'm faced with finding a cost effective solution. Right now I have some camping ground pads under them and they are almost comfortable. There are some local shops that do cushion work, but I have no idea what this should cost. Anybody with a recent adventure in "recushioning" want to shed some pointers or alert me to pitfalls? Tim McKeever S/V Sea Angel Head of Chesapeake Bay
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Try US Yacht Cushion is FL.
Tim: I do not have their phone number but if you search for US Yacht in the archives you will find their number. A friend of mine had a new interior done by them and it is nice. Very reasonable price. If you get a price from them you will have something to compare. Just a word of warning. There is a lot of difference in the type of fabrics. You are going to hear that you can just go to a fabric store and buy the fabric. There are wear factor associated with a fabric so you can compare their quality. Cotton fabrics do not hold up well in the sun. You also do not want metal zippers. You need fabric that is treated to prevent mildew and moisture from becomming a problem. Foam quality is also important, not all foam is created equal. All the cushions should have vinyl backings because of the condensation between the fiberglass and the cushion. Bottom line, if you find a local shop, be sure that they know about the marine environment. Don't just go by price. If you need to redo the interior again in 3-5 years you would need to figure that this would be about 1/4 to 1/2 of the normal useful life of a quality interior refit.
Tim: I do not have their phone number but if you search for US Yacht in the archives you will find their number. A friend of mine had a new interior done by them and it is nice. Very reasonable price. If you get a price from them you will have something to compare. Just a word of warning. There is a lot of difference in the type of fabrics. You are going to hear that you can just go to a fabric store and buy the fabric. There are wear factor associated with a fabric so you can compare their quality. Cotton fabrics do not hold up well in the sun. You also do not want metal zippers. You need fabric that is treated to prevent mildew and moisture from becomming a problem. Foam quality is also important, not all foam is created equal. All the cushions should have vinyl backings because of the condensation between the fiberglass and the cushion. Bottom line, if you find a local shop, be sure that they know about the marine environment. Don't just go by price. If you need to redo the interior again in 3-5 years you would need to figure that this would be about 1/4 to 1/2 of the normal useful life of a quality interior refit.
Used a local shop
I disagree with Steve on this one - I used a local shop and had all 11 cusions redone on my 82 H-30 for about $1,000.00. The shop used mattress-grade foam and sunbrella canvas fabric. I didn't use vinyl backing, even on the cockpit cushions. I've had them a year now and they still look and feel great. I used the old cushions as a template for the new ones, and I made the mistake of using a thicker foam in the settees - big mistake - while more comfortable to sleep on, they put my head into the coach roof when sitting, so I have to sit kind of hunched forward. The port settee's extra pad has to be stored in the captains berth - otherwise, you can't sit comfortably or open the drawers above the settee. I'd probably do it again this way, though - because its so comfortable to sleep on - which is really the only time I'm below.
I disagree with Steve on this one - I used a local shop and had all 11 cusions redone on my 82 H-30 for about $1,000.00. The shop used mattress-grade foam and sunbrella canvas fabric. I didn't use vinyl backing, even on the cockpit cushions. I've had them a year now and they still look and feel great. I used the old cushions as a template for the new ones, and I made the mistake of using a thicker foam in the settees - big mistake - while more comfortable to sleep on, they put my head into the coach roof when sitting, so I have to sit kind of hunched forward. The port settee's extra pad has to be stored in the captains berth - otherwise, you can't sit comfortably or open the drawers above the settee. I'd probably do it again this way, though - because its so comfortable to sleep on - which is really the only time I'm below.
Oh Thad!
Thad: My point was that my friend paid 20-30% less than you did. Nothing wrong with a local firm IF they know what they are doing. Don't agree with fabric on the undersides if you have fiberglass under the cushions (which I do not believe that you do). Anyway my point was to use the folks at US Yacht Cushion as a base point for your estimates.
Thad: My point was that my friend paid 20-30% less than you did. Nothing wrong with a local firm IF they know what they are doing. Don't agree with fabric on the undersides if you have fiberglass under the cushions (which I do not believe that you do). Anyway my point was to use the folks at US Yacht Cushion as a base point for your estimates.
Here is how it should. . . .
look when finished.
Click on the link below to the HOW "Photo Forum". But Steve is right, start with a reputable company as a benchmark. Then make sure you see finished product samples from whomever you choose. Mine were done by the previous owner at home on her sewing machine. They are very comfortable and serviceable.
look when finished.
Click on the link below to the HOW "Photo Forum". But Steve is right, start with a reputable company as a benchmark. Then make sure you see finished product samples from whomever you choose. Mine were done by the previous owner at home on her sewing machine. They are very comfortable and serviceable.Interior cushions
We have a 1980 HUnter 30 and replaced all of the interior cushions about 4 years ago. We used JSI (www,jsisail.com) using paper templates. The quality and fabrics were great but cost us, on average, about $200 per cushion, inmcluding new foam. Do not buy the top of the line foam. It may last a long time, but it is so hard that you cannot sleep on it unless you have layers of eggcrate foam under your sheets
We have a 1980 HUnter 30 and replaced all of the interior cushions about 4 years ago. We used JSI (www,jsisail.com) using paper templates. The quality and fabrics were great but cost us, on average, about $200 per cushion, inmcluding new foam. Do not buy the top of the line foam. It may last a long time, but it is so hard that you cannot sleep on it unless you have layers of eggcrate foam under your sheets
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