Hi all, In the process of having new covers made for our inboard cushions and are considering various fabrics. Any inputs regarding the value of "marinized" fabric for a boat interior would be appreciated. For example, do we need to use "marinized" fabric, or is a reasonably sturdy material that one might use on a living room or family room couch OK? We are cruisers, so we won't be dragging wet sails and sailors through the cabin on anything near a routine basis but will occassionally wind up using the cushions wearing damp bathing suits with the precaution of using a towel as well. "Marinized" materials, of course, seem to be upwards of double the price per yard of non-marinized materials. And, while many "marine" grade items for boats make infinite sense, regardless of price, many items seem to carry the all too familiar 100% "marine" mark up, often times for little or no reason. Any suggestions here would be most welcome... Thanks, Jim
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Couple of issues.
Jim: There are a couple of things to consider on a boat. The first is UV. The sun will destroy the fibers in your fabric faster than a pack of kids. So that is probably the most important think to look for. I do not think that you are paying a premium for "marinized" fabric but for UV protection. The next thing is mildew. If these cushions are not made with the correct material you will end up with corroded zippers and fabric that is impregnated with mildew etc. Check with US Yacht cushions in St. Peterburg Fl. They have a 'very' extensive selection of materials. These materials are the same quality that are used in airline seats. Good quality will last a long time. We are in the process of looking at doing the same thing. We have the original interior in our H'31 ('85) and the only part that needs replacement is the main salon. The v-berth and the aft berth really only need new foam.
Jim: There are a couple of things to consider on a boat. The first is UV. The sun will destroy the fibers in your fabric faster than a pack of kids. So that is probably the most important think to look for. I do not think that you are paying a premium for "marinized" fabric but for UV protection. The next thing is mildew. If these cushions are not made with the correct material you will end up with corroded zippers and fabric that is impregnated with mildew etc. Check with US Yacht cushions in St. Peterburg Fl. They have a 'very' extensive selection of materials. These materials are the same quality that are used in airline seats. Good quality will last a long time. We are in the process of looking at doing the same thing. We have the original interior in our H'31 ('85) and the only part that needs replacement is the main salon. The v-berth and the aft berth really only need new foam.
B
Brian Pickton
Don't Marinize
Nov.30, 2000 Dear Jim, Your right you don't have to pay a marine premium in this department. Reqular household cushion covering material is fine to use, just make sure that your seller has the proper stain resistant fabric guard sprayed on it to make it stain resistant. We've found that many manufacturers provide a light stain guard with their product that can be enhanced markedly with an after market application. You pay for quality material of course. Our 4 year old cushions are standing up to daily use fine after their refurbishing. We used a company that made cushions and covers for the RV indusry. You might ask the person who wants to "marinize" you what they are doing that is different from the regular upholstery industry, then cross check that information with your upholsterer. I'll bet that would be enlightening. Brian Pickton@BeneteauOwners.net Aboard the Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Nov.30, 2000 Dear Jim, Your right you don't have to pay a marine premium in this department. Reqular household cushion covering material is fine to use, just make sure that your seller has the proper stain resistant fabric guard sprayed on it to make it stain resistant. We've found that many manufacturers provide a light stain guard with their product that can be enhanced markedly with an after market application. You pay for quality material of course. Our 4 year old cushions are standing up to daily use fine after their refurbishing. We used a company that made cushions and covers for the RV indusry. You might ask the person who wants to "marinize" you what they are doing that is different from the regular upholstery industry, then cross check that information with your upholsterer. I'll bet that would be enlightening. Brian Pickton@BeneteauOwners.net Aboard the Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
J
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I disagree
I think its worth having whomever is going to make your cushions use fabric designed to withstand being subjected to damp environments. As good as the ventilation on many boats is, there tends to be a lot of moisture in the air and condensing on surfaces, and you only want to do this once in a long while, right? Manyof the boats I have been on with standard fabric coverings have had mold and mildew issus. Twice as much sounds like alot, I'd check with other vendors, but I'd bet that the increase in price is more than justified by the increase in useful life. I would be warry of sprayed on coatings as well. While these may truly work in the beginning, the _will_ wear off, even from the best products. Look at the differences in foul weather gear to see the truth here. The $300 set of gear with the coating will let water through a lot earlier than the $500 gear with an impermiable weave. I'd rather be dry, thanks. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I think its worth having whomever is going to make your cushions use fabric designed to withstand being subjected to damp environments. As good as the ventilation on many boats is, there tends to be a lot of moisture in the air and condensing on surfaces, and you only want to do this once in a long while, right? Manyof the boats I have been on with standard fabric coverings have had mold and mildew issus. Twice as much sounds like alot, I'd check with other vendors, but I'd bet that the increase in price is more than justified by the increase in useful life. I would be warry of sprayed on coatings as well. While these may truly work in the beginning, the _will_ wear off, even from the best products. Look at the differences in foul weather gear to see the truth here. The $300 set of gear with the coating will let water through a lot earlier than the $500 gear with an impermiable weave. I'd rather be dry, thanks. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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sloopercat
Heat can be a problem
When I had mine done, the upholstery shop warned against using standard fabric meant for the home, She said it will degrade from the heat real quick. I used an 100% acrylic material at her recommendation.
When I had mine done, the upholstery shop warned against using standard fabric meant for the home, She said it will degrade from the heat real quick. I used an 100% acrylic material at her recommendation.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Any good quality upholstery fabric that can stand
up to kids and a dog in a house is just fine for interior use on a boat. There's no need to do anything to it. Although you might put a towel under you before sitting down in a wet swim suit.
up to kids and a dog in a house is just fine for interior use on a boat. There's no need to do anything to it. Although you might put a towel under you before sitting down in a wet swim suit.
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Paul Mieszczenski
Bite the Bullet
When my wife and I completely rebuilt the interior of our O'day 25 we bit the bullet and went with the "sunbrella" material for all the cushions and curtains. At the time I was thinking that I could have a new main and jib for the price we paid, but time has proved that we made the right choice. After 5 years and many miles they still look new. Any mildew quickly washes out with soapy water and there is no noticable UV damage anywhere. The boat sits bow south in her slip so we get full sun on the curtains everyday. I wish the drapes at the house were holding up so well. The material comes in many colors and patterns and seems to be bulletproof. If you plan to keep the boat for a while you really should check it out. PM aboard Ursa Minor
When my wife and I completely rebuilt the interior of our O'day 25 we bit the bullet and went with the "sunbrella" material for all the cushions and curtains. At the time I was thinking that I could have a new main and jib for the price we paid, but time has proved that we made the right choice. After 5 years and many miles they still look new. Any mildew quickly washes out with soapy water and there is no noticable UV damage anywhere. The boat sits bow south in her slip so we get full sun on the curtains everyday. I wish the drapes at the house were holding up so well. The material comes in many colors and patterns and seems to be bulletproof. If you plan to keep the boat for a while you really should check it out. PM aboard Ursa Minor
Not all fabrics are created equal.
If you talk with people who do this for a living they will tell you that a fabric that works in a house MAY not be suitable for a boat. The higher quality fabrics are teflon coated or scotch guarded. Also any fabric with cotton will be junk in a very short time do to UV breakdown. The price to re-do a job is not worth the cost saving of doing it wrong the first time. Be sure to do your home work before you invest in the materials. If you live in a salt water area you need to consider zippers. If you live in a high humidity area you need to consider mildew.
If you talk with people who do this for a living they will tell you that a fabric that works in a house MAY not be suitable for a boat. The higher quality fabrics are teflon coated or scotch guarded. Also any fabric with cotton will be junk in a very short time do to UV breakdown. The price to re-do a job is not worth the cost saving of doing it wrong the first time. Be sure to do your home work before you invest in the materials. If you live in a salt water area you need to consider zippers. If you live in a high humidity area you need to consider mildew.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
How much UV exposure in a cabin?
All the comments re UV protected fabrics on a boat certainly make sense when it comes to cockpit cushions, but just how much more UV are cabin cushions exposed to than upholstered furniture is exposed to in a house? Houses have big windows...the only light sources in the cabin of a boat are hatches and small sidelights or ports. Much less light comes in through hatches and ports, and certainly they offer at least as much protection as blinds or sheers on windows. I've replaced the drapes and upholstery on two boats so far...everything on the first one was still in "like new" condition after 5 years when I sold the boat...my current boat still looks new after 4 years--and I don't have a sailboat...mine is a flybridge stinkpot with a huge windshield, four 3' high side windows, and a sliding glass door. I used good quality stain resistant "regular" upholstery fabrics throughout. You can see for yourself how much UV everything is exposed to on "Solitaire" by going to her website at: http://www.solitairef32.homestead.com/ Any fabrics that will stand up on my boat will certainly outlast them on any sailboat!
All the comments re UV protected fabrics on a boat certainly make sense when it comes to cockpit cushions, but just how much more UV are cabin cushions exposed to than upholstered furniture is exposed to in a house? Houses have big windows...the only light sources in the cabin of a boat are hatches and small sidelights or ports. Much less light comes in through hatches and ports, and certainly they offer at least as much protection as blinds or sheers on windows. I've replaced the drapes and upholstery on two boats so far...everything on the first one was still in "like new" condition after 5 years when I sold the boat...my current boat still looks new after 4 years--and I don't have a sailboat...mine is a flybridge stinkpot with a huge windshield, four 3' high side windows, and a sliding glass door. I used good quality stain resistant "regular" upholstery fabrics throughout. You can see for yourself how much UV everything is exposed to on "Solitaire" by going to her website at: http://www.solitairef32.homestead.com/ Any fabrics that will stand up on my boat will certainly outlast them on any sailboat!
J
Jim Oursler
US yacht for hunter cushions
Had US yacht make my new cushions. Excellent job as they did the originals on my hunter 34.
Had US yacht make my new cushions. Excellent job as they did the originals on my hunter 34.
J
Jim
Thanks All For Your Responses
Thank you all very much for your inputs regarding cushion fabrics. As always, your experiences and insights have been most helpful. Now, if I can only get my wife to settle on a pattern, we'll be in business! <G> Fair Winds, Jim
Thank you all very much for your inputs regarding cushion fabrics. As always, your experiences and insights have been most helpful. Now, if I can only get my wife to settle on a pattern, we'll be in business! <G> Fair Winds, Jim
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