Making new boat cushions... vinyl bottom or not?

[sbcwolff]

I'm making new dinette cushions (not brave enough to tackle vberth and quarter berths yet). Should I make the down side out of vinyl or not? I feel like doing cloth all around would be easier but maybe not as durable.
Anyone have an opinion on this?
I'm planning on using marine upholstery fabric from sailrite for the fabric, and sleep on latex toppers for the foam (after seeing the project Atticus post on how comfy they report the latex toppers to be)

Thanks!

And can you just smell the cushion from over here? (See lovely pic of original 1974 cushion)

 

[Justin_NSA]

We had ours done last year and kept the vinyl underside. I think it keeps them from sliding around too.

 

[Joe]

I believe the vinyl also helps prevent moisture wicking up into the foam. An alternative would be to insert a vinyl layer between new cover and foam. Maybe the Sailrite folks can give you a more authoritive opinion.

 

[dlochner]

The only time I had new cushions made we put Phifertex on the bottom. This is a vinyl coated mesh. It helps to keep the cushion from sliding and ventilates the foam to keep it drier.

Cushion Underlining - Sold by the Yard - Sailrite

Stop by Sailrite for quality cushion underlining, including Phifertex and specialty cushion underlining fabric for tough, all-weather use.

www.sailrite.com

 

[shemandr]

+1 for vinyl

 

[thinwater]

Velcro strips also work well to stop sliding. Better, in fact.

I've had both.

 

[Dalliance]

When I had new cushion covers made I chose vinyl for ease of cleaning and the shop recommended using a breathable fabric on the underside. It seems like a vinyl coated mesh. I took their advice because it was based on their years of professional experience. That was 2007 and the cushions still look almost new. No problem with them sliding around because, on my boat, the cushions are all irregular shapes that kind of lock themselves in place. No odor either. The cushions are stored in the boat, stood on edge for air circulation, during the winter.

 

[Capt Robbie]

sbcwolff,
Staple rug non skid pad to the seat, works well for me, I had my foam warped in plastic before inserting into the fabric. The plasic keeps the foam dry from wet bathing suits, just the cloth gets damp and dries in minutes. I used cloth on both sides so that they are reversible. If I ever do it again I would install zippers on the edge so that they would be easer to wash.

 

[DrJudyB]

I’m using cushion underlining fabric. It’s vinyl coat mesh and it breathes. I have found that solid vinyl traps moisture and can cause mildew.

For example

Cushion Underlining - Sold by the Yard - Sailrite

Stop by Sailrite for quality cushion underlining, including Phifertex and specialty cushion underlining fabric for tough, all-weather use.

www.sailrite.com

 

[dlochner]

I had my foam warped in plastic before inserting into the fabric.

This also makes inserting the foam into the cushion easier. Wrap the foam in silk film and use a vacuum to shrink it. See the article below (yes it looks like the other links from Sailrite, however, it takes you to a different place.

Using Silk Film to Shrink Foam

Did you know that you can use silk film to shrink your foam for easier stuffing into the cushion cover? We'll show you how!

www.sailrite.com

 

[MikeHoncho]

If your in a area where it condenses in your boat I would recommend vinyl Or add a mat like below. Moisture will condense on it them evaporate compared to soaking in with a fabric. I have the this stuff under my cushions and it is awesome

if I ever have to redo mine I’ll put Phifertex in the bottom due to using this stuff. It allows air movement eliminating condensation between the cushion and cabinet And the Phifertex allows air movement within the cushion.