Recovering cushions

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

The cushions in our 75 C-22 are pretty ragged. Pretty sure the material is not marine quality and the underside is vinyl. Everytime I pick up a cushion the vinyl is wet or sticky.

What material do you folks use on your cushions and do you have vinyl on the underside?

 

[markwbird]

Sunbrella. Go to Sailrite. They have everything you need.

 

[SailormanDan]

for Sailrite & Sunbrella, I'm going to re-do my cushions this winter, will be nice to finally replace the original brown tweed stuff. I'm also looking at Hypervent as a layer under the v-berth to help with the condensation.

 

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

for Sailrite & Sunbrella, I'm going to re-do my cushions this winter, will be nice to finally replace the original brown tweed stuff. I'm also looking at Hypervent as a layer under the v-berth to help with the condensation.

Would you just lay the Hypervent on the v-berth and the cushions on top? Looks like a great product.

 

[LakeShark]

I used to use that hypervent type material on a larger sailboat I lived on. The v berth was actually a glassed in 225 gallon fresh water tank underneath and the cushions would always sweat. I just cut it to size and placed it directly under the cushion all by itself and it did alleviate the moisture buildup on the vinyl and some of the "boat smell" if you know what I mean. The only draw back is that it makes a little noise when you are sleeping on the cushion as it rubs on the fiberglass.

 

[centerline]

im not sure why everyone uses the overpriced sunbrella fabric for interior work....maybe a status thing?
on the interior, I use automotive fabric (without vinyl)... and have for many years without a failure.
for interiors, the automotive stuff has every advantage of the sunbrella brand.
it is highly uv resistant, most of it is fade proof, its mildew resistant and rot proof, and there are some that are very comfortable to the skin, and automotive material offers many many more colors and patterns to choose from....

but there is no equivalent to sunbrella canvas in the automotive line up..... so I agree that sunbrella is the answer when doing canvas work.

anyone who has ever seen an old car seat setting out in the weather, taking the rain snow and sun for many years, can attest to the strength and durability of automotive fabrics... or even a car that has been parked with the windows rolled up and setting in the sun for many years, with the uv rays blasting thru the windows and the inside temps of the car reaching summertime temps of 130-140 degrees year after year... the non "marine" branded fabrics can be just as tough as the more expensive marine stuff is.

 

[kito]

I covered my interior cushions with a fabric used on outdoor furniture. Not sure the need for expensive Sunbrella inside.

 

[SailormanDan]

Look on the Sailrite site, they have some guides (PDFs) to picking various materials depending on what you are doing with it, which may not actually be "Sunbrella", but a cloth suitable for interior boat cushions. I may actually use Sunbrella, since it will take some abuse, haven't entirely decided yet.

 

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

I covered my interior cushions with a fabric used on outdoor furniture. Not sure the need for expensive Sunbrella inside.

I think this is the route we will take. Living in Belize, you have to go with what you can find. Ordering from the States and shipping is prohibitive and then the 40% Customs Duty just kills you. Being an island outdoor furniture fabric is used alot. I am definitely going to avoid the vinyl on the bottom of the cushion.

 

[RussC]

I think this is the route we will take. Living in Belize, you have to go with what you can find. Ordering from the States and shipping is prohibitive and then the 40% Customs Duty just kills you. Being an island outdoor furniture fabric is used alot. I am definitely going to avoid the vinyl on the bottom of the cushion.

Outdoor furniture fabric here also. it's easy to sew on a home machine and cost was reasonable.

 

[markwbird]

im not sure why everyone uses the overpriced sunbrella fabric for interior work....maybe a status thing?
.

For me, it's definitely about the status. I just like the way people look at me differently when they find out that my salon cushions are done in genuine Sunbrella fabric. You just can't get that with automotive fabric.

 

[SailormanDan]

Sunbrella makes cushion fabric, it's not bimini or sailcover stuff; softer feel to it, yet as durable. Comes in nautical and beach themes. I'm like Mark though, it's a boat, not a car, and I want it to be different.

 

[centerline]

Sunbrella makes cushion fabric, it's not bimini or sailcover stuff; softer feel to it, yet as durable. Comes in nautical and beach themes. I'm like Mark though, it's a boat, not a car, and I want it to be different.

sunbrella makes a limited number of softer interior materials, as opposed to an automotive line....
and when the construction process and materials that goes into the manufacturing of the fabric is the same in every way, for me it IS about the money.... I wont spend double for any product just because it has "MARINE" stamped on it. or even 25% more.

so the only thing I can see being "different" is that some are willing to pay more money for the exact same stuff because it has a brand name, and thats fine, but not everyone that is reading these helpful tips on this site are as well-to-do as others who like to play to the status symbol aspect of it all....
and even so, some of us may be able to afford the brand name stuff, but we choose to spend our dollars wisely, rather than freely giving it away to those who found out they could charge more for a product by labeling it for marine use...

but no matter how one chooses to spend their money, its good to have options on what to spend it on...

 

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

sunbrella makes a limited number of softer interior materials, as opposed to an automotive line....
and when the construction process and materials that goes into the manufacturing of the fabric is the same in every way, for me it IS about the money.... I wont spend double for any product just because it has "MARINE" stamped on it. or even 25% more.

so the only thing I can see being "different" is that some are willing to pay more money for the exact same stuff because it has a brand name, and thats fine, but not everyone that is reading these helpful tips on this site are as well-to-do as others who like to play to the status symbol aspect of it all....
and even so, some of us may be able to afford the brand name stuff, but we choose to spend our dollars wisely, rather than freely giving it away to those who found out they could charge more for a product by labeling it for marine use...

but no matter how one chooses to spend their money, its good to have options on what to spend it on...

I hear ya. I am more of a best value and function guy. I'm more likely to spend bigger bucks on sailing tackle etc.

 

[kito]

I bought my outdoor fabric off Ebay. I think I paid $120 to cover every cushion inside plus made some pillows. Very nice fabric imo.

 

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

I bought my outdoor fabric off Ebay. I think I paid $120 to cover every cushion inside plus made some pillows. Very nice fabric imo.

We have 2 Upolustry places here in San Pedro. An expat has one ($$$). And a local the other. Cortez is looking for the right fabric. If not I will order online and bring it back at Thanksgiving.

 

[seadaddler]

I just had all my interior cushions recovered with Sunbrella and did this because
I think it will last longer and wear and hold up better and it is water proof and so far them seem so much more heavy duty than the old stock fabric.
Was $28.00 a yard and money well spent.
Nick

 

[SailormanDan]

Bill & Kathy, whatever you decide, post some pictures when you are done and let us know how it went, I'm always looking for ideas.

 

[Bill and Kathy McDonald]

Bill & Kathy, whatever you decide, post some pictures when you are done and let us know how it went, I'm always looking for ideas.

Will do. Thanks.

 

[watercolors II]

I have used a special inexpensive bottom material that allows the cushion to breath, works very well.

http://www.sailrite.com/Cushion-Underlining-Gray-54