Best Material For Cockpit Seats?

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rays

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Planning to make some covers for foam cockpit seats to fit on top of lockers. What is the best material to use in terms of durability and being able to keep them clean? It has been suggested that we use acrylic canvas (dodger/sprayhood material??), but don't think this could be sewn by domestic sewing machine or machine washed?

What do other people use? Anyone made/had made similar seating on East Coast - that doesn 't cost a fortune!?

Also, can you get non-water absorbent foam? Do you need it?

CD
 
Friend of mine bought cheap Camping mats and laminated them together to the required thickness. Worked a treat.

Canvas, can be done on a domestic machine, but not enough thicknesses. Along comes.....

....eastcoastbernie.
 
Probably busy.... New upholstery for SL this year /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Just got to appease the partner as I chose the colour /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.
 
I had some made by Sue Hamilton. She recommended the material, as she uses it mainly for cockpit seat cushions. Can't remember its name but after 2 seasons, it stays clean, is durable and is comfortable. She produces excellent work from her Maldon workshop and is extremely reasonably priced. 01621 850547. No connection, just a very happy customer for many years.

Hope this helps.
 
Acrylic canvas is the usual choice. Or you could use vinyl. You are probably going to take them down below before they get soaked anyhow.

Use velcro instead of zips because the zips will cease up with all that exposure to salty air.

You can't put vinyl in the washing machine. You can put acrylic canvas in the washing machine but it will need re-proofing afterwards. And it might shrink a bit, so be careful!

You can get closed cell foam which sheds water rather than absorbs it, but its difficult to source and much more expensive than the regular sort. As a compromise, you can use regular foam and wrap it in clingfilm, pierce a few holes in it, then cover with your chosen fabric.

Vinyl and acrylic canvas can be sewn on a domestic machine, although a machine with a walking foot makes the job easier. Use a denim needle as Morgana suggests. Also use a decent thread, like bonded polyester, that will resist salt, water and UV. Remember big needles make big holes so you need a thick thread to fill the hole, this will help to keep the water out.

If you decide not to go the diy route, I'm your man!

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
having a mass produced boat i managed to purchase some vynyl covers for my cockpit area.On hind sight i would not have bought them as they are a PITA when they get wet,instead i would have stuck with the single seats that you can buy from most chandlers.

I had bernie stuff my covers,did a great job,bernie likes stuffing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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