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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cockpit Cushions

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dlauginiger
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/28/2008 : 09:47:23

Can anyone tell me if Catalina Direct is the only place to get cockpit cushions for my C25 (1985)? I am looking to spend less boat units for the vinyl cushions they have. Closed Cell is way too expensive.

David

David Lauginiger
"Journeyman"
dlauginiger2000@yahoo.com

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 10:17:59

Things like that often cost less when upholstery shops and similar places make them; it is not a complex job, and you have a wider choice in colors.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 11:19:09

I ordered custom mattress sections for my extended bunk on-line thru Knox Foam since I was not aware of any local shops. The micro-fiber covering is great ! Doing this thru Knox Foam worked out okay for me but it took many phone calls and forwarding of attachments (but their spam filter deleted them). I wound up filling out their on-line dimensional forms but marine mattresses sometimes do not fall into typical square or rectangular shapes and that is where the fun begins in getting them to understand. Faxing a sketch with dimensions helps facilitate the order but even then...you wouldn't believe the issues that come up. In the end, I am happy with their fulfilling of the order. However, the original cushions have those notches at the end and if you want to compromise and just get rectangular shapes (making sure it is a true rectangle) then it saves you a lot of grief. Otheriwse, send them a sketch via fax and then on with the phone calls.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1803 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 11:19:16

If you are looking for cockpit then check out West and Defender, who have izes that are pretty close to our boats dimensions. If you are looking for interior cabin cushions for the settees, v-birth, etc, then either go the local upholstere route or contact Catalina Yachts.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 11:57:30

You don't wanna hear this, but I'm a fan of Type IV throwables... Put 'em under you and behind you, stack 'em to sit higher, move 'em to get into a locker or stand on a seat, toss 'em into the cabin, and best of all, if somebody unexpectedly goes splash, litter the water with 'em.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 12:01:20

If you are talking about cockpit cushions and not interior cabin cushions, something that I have found works really well, except for lying down, are camping/event seats. (ref example on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A8BSQM )
These pad your underside and also give some back support. When I'm not using them I take them below. This is a way more inexpensive solution to pad the important parts.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 12:52:26

Cockpit cushions are nice. Sport-A-Seats are spectacular!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 13:50:40

... and large cooler pads.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 15:42:56

I cast my vote for type IV throwables and Sport-a-Seats. The latter are very comfortable, and can be laid flat or folded to a seating position with back support.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 15:57:41

I just went through a sales brochure from West Marine. They have their Sport-a-seats (they call 'em High Back Go Anywhere Chair) on sale this weekend at buy one get the second for $1. Can't beat that with a stick. I'd buy 2 but I found one in perfect condition last summer at a flea market for $10

It's the only cushion in my cockpit when I'm singlehanding.

Edited by - on

Joel37027
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 16:12:33

I have two of the West Marine Sport-a-seats, they are great.

Edited by - on

BruceL
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 16:52:33

We have four of W/M porta seats we love em. The wife puts it up against the cabin and she's good for a few hour nap any time we go out.
But I think that there are two different sizes the shorter ones fit
better.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 17:53:10

I now see the rror of my ways. I read to fast and thought we were talking about replacing the interior cushions.

I am not ready yet to replace my cockpit cushions. The existing ones are okay but too soft. My wife uses the sport-a-seat which we picked up a couple of years ago at the Annapolis Boat Show. She loves it...and when not on the boat...she sometimes watches tv in the family room sitting on the sport-a-seat.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 18:23:58

Aren't you glad you asked, David?

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1803 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2008 : 23:06:14

For what it's worth . . . I like tosit right n the fiberglas and have the feel of the boat, so, I use the throwable type II also. If I were going to put "proper" cushions in the cockpit, they would be the closed cell foam from a West/Defender that are a near fit. But, the most important thing is being comfotable and having a comfortable crew/guest . . . . You don't have to blow the bank for this though.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 00:13:54

I have original cushions in decent shape, but I have yet to use them. I also think sitting on a solid seat that doesn't slide feels better. A throwable behind my back is all I want. I keep them aboard incase I ever want to sleep in the cockpit or have guests with tender bottoms aboard. To each his own.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 07:12:33

I also perfer to sail cushionless, but then I guess I've always been a hard ass. But to please the admiral when she is on board I used to have a set of tan throwable cushions for many years. Then a few years ago she bought the proper cushions from Catalina Direct for me as a Christmas gift which made her very happy.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 08:39:26

Has anyone asked Catalina Yachts (CY) if they still supply cockpit cushions that would fit our C25s ? may be worth a try.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 11:00:11

Renzo,
That's like getting her a kitchen appliance for Christmas. Well, not quite.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 12:51:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 Renzo,
That's like getting her a kitchen appliance for Christmas. Well, not quite.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Now that you mention it Dave, I made that mistake for her birthday once a looong time ago. D'ya think, maybe, the cushions were a payback for that? Damn! Now I'm wondering what else I might have done wrong in my past.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1803 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2008 : 12:59:45

I have spoken with Catalina Yachts as recently as a couple of weeks ago and I do know that they can supply interior cushions -- so I owuld guess they also can supply cockpit cushions as well. They were friendly and helpful when I called.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2008 : 13:06:41

Ergonomic luxury:
- Sofa back cushions from the Sally Ann -> 4 x $5 = $20
- White vinyl covering sewn on to these and other cushions-> ~$20

These are placed against the lifeline stanchions and held onto the rail with 4" pieces of white duct tape. Velcro attachments would be nice, but are low priority. The seat back supports my back and neck and I can put my feet up on the opposite cushion for true ergonomic luxury.

I also covered 2 thick lawn chair cushions (seat & back) for crew to lean against the cabin facing aft or to sit sideways. Not quite as comfortable.

There is a 3"-5" vent opening on one end of the cover of each cushion to release air when compressed. The vents face down or aft.

These are not personal floatation devices by any means. Rain would be a problem for them, but the bimini helps with that, and when it's raining I'm usually heading back in, not relaxing in the sun and the breeze. They have to be stowed in the cabin.

You can calculate the price differences between these and WM seats, but I haven't seen anything as nice as this for sailboats. There's nothing like a 6" thick cushion to sit on for comfort.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2008 : 14:15:49

I use the full length cockpit cushions because of the dog.

If I didn't sail with a dog, I would use a sports seat. I recently took my cushions in for repair, as there were a couple holes in the vinyl. SOMEONE, who shall remain nameless, left them out in the rain and they soaked up several gallons of water.
The full length cockpit cushions are great for summer naps and lounging.

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2008 : 17:40:55

About five years ago I found a large closed cell floating pool mattress at my local Sam's Club. I was about 3 ft wide and over 6 ft long with a pillow at one end. I bought it for less than $50, took it home and split it lengthwise. Made two great, water proof cushions with a pillow for each for that little siesta. I put the cut side against the cockpit seat back so it won't show.

Edited by - eric.werkowitz on 03/30/2008 17:42:10

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5445 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2008 : 21:42:33

I just read about a new option, called the Bun Huggerz Easy-Form Seat from Seattle.

Check out this link:
[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270067/377%20710/0/Sport-a-seats/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=Sport-a-seats&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=Sport-a-seats&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5005&subdeptNum=10&classNum=11662"]boat seat[/url]
edited url fhopper

For $35 each, they look like they'd be pretty comfortable. Especially if you combined it with the Sport a Seat, giving you a secure backrest.

WIth all the good words about the Sport a Seat, and with the bun hugger concept, I will definitely give this combo a try.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/31/2008 07:42:20

dlauginiger
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2008 : 10:06:51

To all,

Thanks for all of the good responses. The Admiral likes the lawn chair cushions option (and she has the boat units for this purchase). Just one question for JohnP ... what is "the Sally Ann"? [- Sofa back cushions from the Sally Ann -> 4 x $5 = $20]

Edited by - on

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