New Cockpit Cushions for $150

waterdog · January 26, 2009, 01:54:52 PM

OK. Not quite. I reused the old foam and the sewing machine was $800, but I'll amortize that over a new bimini and spinnaker. But some new vinyl and zippers goes a long way toward making the boat nice.

Albreen · January 26, 2009, 02:48:20 PM

Looks to be a very nice renewal of your cockpit cushions. It appears the Sailrite Ultrafeed helped out with the stitching.......very nice work. May I ask what fabric you used for the covering? I too am interested in replacing the existing fabric on our cushions.

waterdog · January 26, 2009, 05:02:55 PM

The fabric was a white "marine vinyl". I went with white because it's cool. I would have preferred the feel of a more breathable fabric, but I would rather be able to wipe off fish blood and red wine stains than do laundry. Everything is a compromise. I would not attempt this project with heavy vinyl and a regular sewing machine. The Sailrite machine is really good.

Michael Shaner · January 27, 2009, 06:50:46 AM

Steve,

looking good man!

Perhaps you should consider jettisoning some of your effects prior to your trip to Mexico. That sewing machine couldn't be used for much more than an anchor sentinel in Mexico...its plenty hot down there too, that nice new diesel heater will be taking up way too much stowage space in the lazarette. Maybe a nice, loving home on the Chesapeake? I'd be happy to pick up the freight!

Ken Juul · January 27, 2009, 02:19:42 PM

Steve,
you said you reused your foam. Is it original or been replaced by a PO? I have similiar cushions. Great to sit on, but soak up water like a sponge through the thread holes. Real pain to put away from rain or heavy dew, take forever to dry when they do get wet. Have you found a solution or just living with it too?

Great job, I think a commercial machine is on my list too.

waterdog · January 27, 2009, 03:07:25 PM

Ken:

We tuck them under the dodger if we are expecting rain or heavy dew. They take forever to dry, so we don't get them wet.

There is solution though. Sailrite offers a foam that doesn't soak up water. Not closed cell - that's too firm to be comfortable. It's more like a flow through foam. I forget the name. If you used that with an open weave fabric you would have cushions that would drip dry in half an hour.

Ron Hill · January 27, 2009, 05:45:29 PM

Michael : I hate to inform you that the Sailrite machine will also operate off of a hand crank!!
As far as the diesel heater goes - you know that they say about the desert when the sun goes down.... !!!

waterdog · January 27, 2009, 09:10:03 PM

Ron,

I'm well aware of Michael's tactics. I've tried to use them myself to upgrade to a MKII. I won't be fooled...

Today, I started work on the vertical toolbox. It's part of my storage overhaul. Everbody is going to want one. That two inches of space either side of the companionway stairs? Shameful waste. Soon I'll have all my tools readily accessible...

Jon Schneider · January 28, 2009, 04:21:38 AM

Hmmm... are you kidding about storing your tools in an open sleeve in the companionway? If you are going to do that, be sure you also rig something akin to what grocery stores use to water their produce, but in this case, you'll need to constantly "water" your tools with oil. Possibly the inside bulkhead as you enter the aft berth? What do you (and everyone) do with the space on top of the engine cover and under the stairs in the companionway? That's where I keep a fairly spacious, waterproof toolbox.

Ken Juul · January 28, 2009, 05:01:02 AM

I too use the space over the engine for a tool box and a couple of gallons of drinking water.

I've heard of that foam, didn't know where to get it. Since we usually sit on a beach towel to absorb the sweat in the summer, might try to fashon new covers out of a more washable fabric and stuff the new foam inside. Can probably do that on the old Singer.

Jon Schneider · January 28, 2009, 05:07:57 AM

Quote from: Ken Juul on January 28, 2009, 05:01:02 AM
Since we usually sit on a beach towel to absorb the sweat in the summer....

TMI re sweaty bottoms!

Craig Illman · January 28, 2009, 07:05:14 AM

Cockpit cushions! I thought we were sailing MEN here!! Did Magellan have cockpit cushions? Well, maybe he did, but the crew didn't.

Besides the toolbox, the top of the engine cover is a nice place to put shore shoes.

Craig

Jon Schneider · January 28, 2009, 07:28:00 AM

Quote from: Craig Illman on January 28, 2009, 07:05:14 AM
Besides the toolbox, the top of the engine cover is a nice place to put shore shoes.

It's our understand that the "dog" and his mate will not be touching shore for months, or at least not until they reach Stu's place and raid his rum cabinet, which, in a privateer way, will probably be done in dark of night and bare foot.

waterdog · January 28, 2009, 08:24:35 AM

It's my understanding that if you break the glass of a rum cabinet with a rusty wrench it doesn't make any noise. Is this correct?

Phil Spicer · January 28, 2009, 08:45:25 AM

Sailrite has a foam called Dry Fast. It is an open cell foam. You can pour water on it and the foam won't slow down the flow of water. Water goes right through. If you cover the cushions with phifertex, you almost have instante dry cushions. Phifertex is an open weave vinyl fabric. You can see through the fabric. We have made curtains that zip to the sides and back of the bimini to give us shade at the dock. You can see out & the breeze is not completely blocked. Also split the cushions to move & store easy, & access the port locker. Don't have to move the person on the port side to get into the locker.