Would appreciate input on a few items. Price, texture and color aside, any negatives or positives to the regular material versus the leather material on the inside of the cabin. For example, is the leather material more prone to mildew or harder to keep clean, etc.? What do you recommend, and why? I understand the sailboat (mine to be a 36) is grounded. But have any of you found the grounding insufficient and added a lightning rod or other devices to ground the boat? If yes, what did you do? What do you recommend, and why? Finally, any tips on the type of cushion, or material inside the cushion, that I ought to buy for the seating in the cockpit. What do you recommend, and why? Thanks for the help.
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Practical sailor.
Jason: Practical Sailor has had some information about grounding. You may want to check it out. I do not think there is any way to prevent lightening strikes. At least if you are grounded, it may give it an avenue to exit without destroying your boat. As far as interior cushions are concerned, Sunbrella makes some very good interior fabrics (they do not look anything like the exterior fabric if that is what you are thinking). These are very heavy duty and the fabric is coated with some process (factory). There are also other good quality fabrics on the market. I do not know much about ultra suede or some of the other leather type interiors. I will tell you that our old interior lasted for 16 years (Salon) and we are still using the original fabric in the v-berth and the aft berth. They are still in good condition. When you look for cushions for the cockpit, I would tell you to look in the archives about c-cushions and bottom siders. The only downside to our bottom siders is that they get hold in the summer. We have terry cloth covers for them. If we sail in inclement weather we do not put the covers on and they do not absorb any moisture. If you get a scratch in the sprayed on vinyl coating, they can be touched up. Personally I would stay away from regular old foam cushions with Naugahyde. You have zippers to deal with, and they too get hot. When they get wet, they are soggy. For your interior questions, you may speak with the friendly folks at US Yacht Cushions in Fl. They make a lot of cushions and can give you some advice and fabric samples too.
Jason: Practical Sailor has had some information about grounding. You may want to check it out. I do not think there is any way to prevent lightening strikes. At least if you are grounded, it may give it an avenue to exit without destroying your boat. As far as interior cushions are concerned, Sunbrella makes some very good interior fabrics (they do not look anything like the exterior fabric if that is what you are thinking). These are very heavy duty and the fabric is coated with some process (factory). There are also other good quality fabrics on the market. I do not know much about ultra suede or some of the other leather type interiors. I will tell you that our old interior lasted for 16 years (Salon) and we are still using the original fabric in the v-berth and the aft berth. They are still in good condition. When you look for cushions for the cockpit, I would tell you to look in the archives about c-cushions and bottom siders. The only downside to our bottom siders is that they get hold in the summer. We have terry cloth covers for them. If we sail in inclement weather we do not put the covers on and they do not absorb any moisture. If you get a scratch in the sprayed on vinyl coating, they can be touched up. Personally I would stay away from regular old foam cushions with Naugahyde. You have zippers to deal with, and they too get hot. When they get wet, they are soggy. For your interior questions, you may speak with the friendly folks at US Yacht Cushions in Fl. They make a lot of cushions and can give you some advice and fabric samples too.
Jason
I think your post is close to a record; most questions in the least amount of space on a single post! Whew! Anyway, I think Practical Sailor is going to say that grounding your boat properly PREVENTS lightening strikes. The only time mine was hit was after an improper skipper modification (me) that disabled the ground system. That's fixed.
I think your post is close to a record; most questions in the least amount of space on a single post! Whew! Anyway, I think Practical Sailor is going to say that grounding your boat properly PREVENTS lightening strikes. The only time mine was hit was after an improper skipper modification (me) that disabled the ground system. That's fixed.
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