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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Cockpit cushions

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/26/2009 : 21:21:42

I really enjoyed reading up on all the details on interior cushions in the post today. I have been thinking about making cockpit cushions.

I thought I could get some 2" closed cell foam 16" x 6 ft. Then, I thought I'd get two 6 ft lengths of 54" sunbrella white fabric and sew up a "bag" to put the foam into.

Do you think it would look like crap, or would they just look functional, and not necessarily elegant?

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2009 : 21:37:10

White is asking for it...

Friends covered theirs in nylon mesh--I don't know where from, but you can Google it. Advantages include not absorbing moisture or dirt, and possibly wearing better on the non-skid seats.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/26/2009 21:47:48

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 07:46:07

I have two full length cockpit cushions and four Sport-A-Seats. If I, or anyone in my family, had to pick between the two, the Sport-A-Seats would win hands down.

Edited by - on

swanny
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 07:55:36

I'd never heard of Sport-A-Seats so I looked them up....WOW...you have $400.00 worth (+S&H) of Sport-A-Seats weighing in at 26 lbs total!
Sounds like you endorse the comfort, how long have you had yours and how have they held up?
Any problem with the carbon steel frames?
Thanks!

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 08:17:35

Bruce & Dave, we use Phifertex fabric when we fabricate closed cell cockpit cushions. This is a mesh fabric like Dave was referring to. It is made of a polyester mesh that has been coated in vinyl. You can get it in any color, and it wears extremely well. It will actually outwear Sunbrella, which is a great product, but susceptible to abraishion. One of the sources that sell Phifertex is www.sailrite.com Check out the information about the product at there web site. I believe they sell it for about $12.00 per yard, you might find a better price some ware on the net.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 11:36:36

I cannot make a snap shackle, and I cannot make a clam cleat, but I sure can make and cover some cushions.

I have 4 cockpit cushions, one pair for the helmsman and one for each crew member. Thick sofa cushions covered with white vinyl. Not waterproof. Never get wet on my boat or in my boat. I have other things to chuck at MOB victims. Haven't chucked anything yet.

So with these I have a back rest and a head rest for the helmsman. I tend to stand on the opposite cushion back on the coaming when heeled, so that also makes a foot rest.

Cost - down-to-earth - about $10 or $20 total.
Comfort level - sky high.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 11:55:56

They look very comfortable John. Good job!

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 13:02:59

Here's another [url="http://www.landsend.com/pp/OutdoorBenchCushions~195495_-1.html?bcc=y&CM_MERCH=DTP_SEARCH_54&action=DTP_SEARCH_54&sku_0=::AQU&query=029086547"]option from Land's End[/url]

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 13:59:10

I haven't tried these but I found this.
[url="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4321122#ProductDetail"]Walmart Bench Cusions[/url]
$27.00
They are 18" X 45" X 2.5

I have covers out of blue ripstop nylon that go over two layers of closed cell foam, Mom sewed them.

Underlined words are HOT links.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2009 : 17:15:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by glen
 ...we use Phifertex fabric when we fabricate closed cell cockpit cushions. This is a mesh fabric like Dave was referring to. It is made of a polyester mesh that has been coated in vinyl...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That sounds like what my friends used. I think it was coated... It seems very durable.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2009 : 12:29:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by swanny
 I'd never heard of Sport-A-Seats so I looked them up....WOW...you have $400.00 worth (+S&H) of Sport-A-Seats weighing in at 26 lbs total!
Sounds like you endorse the comfort, how long have you had yours and how have they held up?
Any problem with the carbon steel frames?
Thanks!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually, I have the West Marine branded seats that I purhcased somewhere around 2001-02. Originally, I bought two seats on sale (buy one for 89.00, get the 2nd half off), but those two seats nearly caused a mutiny within our family of four (do the math) so much so that our normally frugal Admiral made a command decision and authorized the immediate purchase of two more seats. After all these years, they still look pretty good and function like they did when new.

The seats I have lean perfectly against the stern rail on my '80 C25 and are oh so comfortable. Without them, I'm absolutely sure the Admiral and crew would spend less time aboard.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2009 : 17:17:35

Don -- WM had two sizes of the hinged, metal frame portable seats, and of course, I got a pair of the larger type. I tried them on Passage and they were just HUGE - they would not fit anywhere.

Are you saying that the smaller ones will fit on the 16" deep cockpit seats??? Did you have to glue a soft backing material on them? Seemed like the metal frames might wear through and scratch the fiberglass.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2009 : 18:35:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peregrine

I haven't tried these but I found this.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't know, Peregrine, if that will fit in the cockpit very well

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2009 : 18:45:42

When we use our seats, we put two facing forward against the stern pulpit and the other two facing aft against the cabin. The metal frames have neither worn through the material nor scratched the gelcoat. To prevent slippage, I put shelf grip liner under the cushions. I also use this stuff under the regular cockpit cushions to keep them on the seats when the boat is well heeled over.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4057230084458630944

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2009 : 20:36:23

Don -- Next time I go down to WestMarine, I will take another look at the seats. I'll check measurements. I have a roll of under-rug-nonslip stuff, and I could just glue it on the bottom.

I am also seriously considering getting the Wally-Mart settee cushions. You cannot beat the price.

I have found, however, that I still need a backing cushion to be comfortable leaning up against the lifelines and stern pulpit. My type-IV throwables just don't do it for me.....

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2009 : 20:41:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skrenz
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peregrine

I haven't tried these but I found this.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't know, Peregrine, if that will fit in the cockpit very well

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think you might be right.
I am going to Peregrine tomorrow and will measure the depth of the seats. Most cusions for lounges etc. will be 18", if I remember my cushions are 14" deep.
I'll take a photo of the cushions Mom made for me.

Edited by - on

BruceL
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2009 : 16:31:19

We also bought the WM seats the small ones first two and then two more but I have also added two of the square floating cushions in to
the mix they fit quite nicely in between the WM seats. We hardly ever use the cushions that came with our boat any more.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2009 : 15:25:23

Measured my C25 cockpit seats yesterday: 72" long, 16" deep cabin end and 15" deep stern end.
If you wanted to do separate cushions to access the storage hatches:
starboard side - 16" cabin x 48" long x 15" stern and 15" x 24" x 15" for the one over the hatch
port side - 16" cabin x 36" long x 16" stern, 16" x 24" 15" for over the hatch, and 15" x 24" x 15" for over the gas locker.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2009 : 22:43:05

Thanks David --
My original concept was two long cushions: each one approximately 72" x 16".

You raise a good point, it's better to have sections to move from side to side.

The starboard side isn't much of a problem and could be a single piece. But the port side has the gas locker and the "dumpster" which seems to be about 39" x 16". The complement should be 33" x 16".

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2009 : 07:13:16

I have the two long cushions that came with the boat. Getting to the lockers while the cushions are on the seat has always been a small hassle.

I seldom use the cushions because they tend to get in the way, but on occasion they come out and serve their purpose. I can see the benefit of sections.

Deric

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2009 : 10:36:46

My apologies regarding my port side measurements above. Obviously, 36+24+24=84 and that is 12 inches too long. I'm pretty sure that I measured 36" from the cabin bulkhead to the "dumpster" hatch, and 16" would work for the depth at both ends, but your boat may be different. So conceivably, 16x36x15 would work for 1 cushion over both movable parts of the seat. I'll have to re-measure the length over the hatches.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2009 : 23:15:35

I just went down to Boaters World this morning and found several "Cooler Cushions", that allow you to add seating to the top of some large sized ice chests.

Among other items, I got two sets of 17" x 39" and 17" x 33" with snaps and straps to keep them together. They are about 2.5" thick.

I'll be heading down to the boat tomorrow and can't wait to try them out.

Edited by - on

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