The cushions on my H23 have seen better days. I am planning to redo them, but prices for marine upholstery fabric seem to be pretty steep. Is there anything special about these fabrics apart from the "marine" price? Would I better off with a can of Scotchguard and some fabric from a regular store? Peter H23 "Raven"
Reupholstering your interior cushions
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By gosh, you may have it!
Peter: Talk to the people at US Yacht Cushions in FL. There is a difference in the fabrics that they use. There are problems with mold and mildew. Metal zippers rust. They use the same grade of fabric that is used on airplanes and for commercial applications. We are going to get a difference of opinion here be I believe they are giving me the straight scoop.
Peter: Talk to the people at US Yacht Cushions in FL. There is a difference in the fabrics that they use. There are problems with mold and mildew. Metal zippers rust. They use the same grade of fabric that is used on airplanes and for commercial applications. We are going to get a difference of opinion here be I believe they are giving me the straight scoop.
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Ray Bowles
The local fabric store probably has it.
Yes there is a difference depending on what your needs are. On our 95 H26 we needed to replace the cockpit back rest cushions. My wife found commercial fabrics that were suitable for marine uses at very good prices, if you have the ability to sew them. Because of the prices for this fabric we could make cushions for the back rests, cockpit and sternrail seats including the marine foam required for less than 1/3d the price of store bought pieces. Sunbrella is more spendy that upholstery fabric but still cost effective to make your on. Interior cushions are the same deal with more room for fabric choices depending on the amount of water they will see. Quality makes a difference the same as on sail materials. Cheaper goods last a certain time but can also be replaced more often and still be cost effective. Ray
Yes there is a difference depending on what your needs are. On our 95 H26 we needed to replace the cockpit back rest cushions. My wife found commercial fabrics that were suitable for marine uses at very good prices, if you have the ability to sew them. Because of the prices for this fabric we could make cushions for the back rests, cockpit and sternrail seats including the marine foam required for less than 1/3d the price of store bought pieces. Sunbrella is more spendy that upholstery fabric but still cost effective to make your on. Interior cushions are the same deal with more room for fabric choices depending on the amount of water they will see. Quality makes a difference the same as on sail materials. Cheaper goods last a certain time but can also be replaced more often and still be cost effective. Ray
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gary jensen
Upholstry
You can do the job for much less money rather than ordering "Marine" quailty upholstry. You can get any fabric at any fabric shop. I would get new DENSE foam. Then take it to any seamstress in your area..(or maybe a friend). The difference is that you should use plastic zippers or stainless snaps if you prefer. Scotch guarding them is a good idea. Remember when doing the scotch guard, put a tack coat on first, before giving it a good coat. I bought an industrial sewing machine 3 years ago and did all my own work. It was easy once I got the knack. When I was done, I sold the machine for almost what I paid..It really wasn't difficult!!
You can do the job for much less money rather than ordering "Marine" quailty upholstry. You can get any fabric at any fabric shop. I would get new DENSE foam. Then take it to any seamstress in your area..(or maybe a friend). The difference is that you should use plastic zippers or stainless snaps if you prefer. Scotch guarding them is a good idea. Remember when doing the scotch guard, put a tack coat on first, before giving it a good coat. I bought an industrial sewing machine 3 years ago and did all my own work. It was easy once I got the knack. When I was done, I sold the machine for almost what I paid..It really wasn't difficult!!
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Guest
Did it myself...
Bought the fabric from Wal-Mart. Paid $1/yard for a navy blue fabric that was as thick as denim. Ordered new foam from foamorder.com. They cut new foam based on your patterns or measurements and they offer around five grades. Can or two of scotchgard, a little bribery on my wife and mother to sew, and I have new cushions. Cost to order from a marine dealer: $500+ Cost to take the cheap route: <$200 Your choice...
Bought the fabric from Wal-Mart. Paid $1/yard for a navy blue fabric that was as thick as denim. Ordered new foam from foamorder.com. They cut new foam based on your patterns or measurements and they offer around five grades. Can or two of scotchgard, a little bribery on my wife and mother to sew, and I have new cushions. Cost to order from a marine dealer: $500+ Cost to take the cheap route: <$200 Your choice...
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Steve Larson
You can do it!
After receipt of a quote of over 2K for new interior covers for my H31 I decided to do my own even though I had never sewn anything before. I found a 1924 Singer Commercial machine (it will stitch thru a garden hose) in the want ads for $200 and spent another $150-200 on fabric, etc. I used velcro closures instead of zippers which was both cheaper and easier for me to work with. I just traced around the old foam cushions and made the side panels 3/4 inch less in height than the foam height for a tight fit. It took me about 6 weeks working a couple of nights a week to finish them. I am very happy with the outcome and it really wasn't all that much work. I am making cockpit cushions now and then maybe rope bags, chafing sleeves, or who knows. A couple of times I was a bit stumped as to how to duplicate some of the fold-overs and stitch around corners of the original upholstery but I questioned some of the wives of friends who sewed and they gave me hints how to make it work.
After receipt of a quote of over 2K for new interior covers for my H31 I decided to do my own even though I had never sewn anything before. I found a 1924 Singer Commercial machine (it will stitch thru a garden hose) in the want ads for $200 and spent another $150-200 on fabric, etc. I used velcro closures instead of zippers which was both cheaper and easier for me to work with. I just traced around the old foam cushions and made the side panels 3/4 inch less in height than the foam height for a tight fit. It took me about 6 weeks working a couple of nights a week to finish them. I am very happy with the outcome and it really wasn't all that much work. I am making cockpit cushions now and then maybe rope bags, chafing sleeves, or who knows. A couple of times I was a bit stumped as to how to duplicate some of the fold-overs and stitch around corners of the original upholstery but I questioned some of the wives of friends who sewed and they gave me hints how to make it work.
G
Gary Bruner
For the ultra "cheap"?? Seat covers...
You may not be this cheap, but I am on a real budget. The foam seemed okay on my Catalina 25, but the cushions looked to dated....I bought upholstry fabric at a discount place that sold mill ends. I just made "seat covers" that wrapped around the old cushions. I used grommets and tied them together on the back. That was last season...I think they look pretty good! I have a photo or two I could e-mail you of the final look. I don't think I spent over $50 total, and I just used my wife's machine. No sweat...
You may not be this cheap, but I am on a real budget. The foam seemed okay on my Catalina 25, but the cushions looked to dated....I bought upholstry fabric at a discount place that sold mill ends. I just made "seat covers" that wrapped around the old cushions. I used grommets and tied them together on the back. That was last season...I think they look pretty good! I have a photo or two I could e-mail you of the final look. I don't think I spent over $50 total, and I just used my wife's machine. No sweat...
G
Gary Bruner
For the ultra "cheap"?? Seat covers...
You may not be this cheap, but I am on a real budget. The foam seemed okay on my Catalina 25, but the cushions looked to dated....I bought upholstry fabric at a discount place that sold mill ends. I just made "seat covers" that wrapped around the old cushions. I used grommets and tied them together on the back. That was last season...I think they look pretty good! I have a photo or two I could e-mail you of the final look. I don't think I spent over $50 total, and I just used my wife's machine. No sweat...
You may not be this cheap, but I am on a real budget. The foam seemed okay on my Catalina 25, but the cushions looked to dated....I bought upholstry fabric at a discount place that sold mill ends. I just made "seat covers" that wrapped around the old cushions. I used grommets and tied them together on the back. That was last season...I think they look pretty good! I have a photo or two I could e-mail you of the final look. I don't think I spent over $50 total, and I just used my wife's machine. No sweat...
J
Joe
"Slip covers"
I am going to take Gary's route and make slip covers for the existing cushions. Cheap, easy to clean and east to replace.
I am going to take Gary's route and make slip covers for the existing cushions. Cheap, easy to clean and east to replace.
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