Cockpit seat cushions

[pappaecho]

Last year either at Southampton Boat show, or possibly at a local boat jumble, my wife and I saw blue coloured closed cell foam, which could be used "as is" for cockpit cushions, without the need to cover them. They also had the property that they float and so could be used a buoyancy aid in an emergency. We have tried everywhere and no one seems to know who makes or supplies it.. any ideas?

 

[snowleopard]

there is a guy who does all the jumbles selling cushions made from closed cell foam. the only problem is that they are very hard.

 

[toad]

Also very slippery when wet.

 

[kds]

I thought you needed a completely "open foam" - so water ran out of it as quickly as it ran in ?
Ken

 

[alec]

>there is a guy who does all the jumbles selling cushions made from closed cell foam. the only problem is that they are very hard. <

I too came to the same conclusion as your goodself. Also, the studs were not made of stainless and bled rust over the cushions. Shame.

I am working on the idea that my other half can make me some bespoke cushions sometime this season. Decided that I will purchase top quality foam for the purpose.

Regards,

 

[bluff]

hi i have foam cushionn which i got in the hardware they are sold as gardening cushions i also bought some in lidl which were better and cheaper about 4 euro each

 

[Joe_Cole]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought you needed a completely "open foam" - so water ran out of it as quickly as it ran in ?
Ken

[/ QUOTE ]

You should go for "closed cell"; the water doesn't get in in the first place.

 

[Cobra25]

These people do them and they were really difficult to find they do other good stuff too

http://www.technix-rubber.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=248

BOL

 

[jonjo]

Re: Closed cell? Another option.

[ QUOTE ]
You should go for "closed cell"; the water doesn't get in in the first place.

[/ QUOTE ]
Most foam used in cockpit cushions is the wrong type i.e. it can soak up water but is difficult to rinse. There is a better option to closed cell foam, it is called reticulating foam, nice and soft but water can run straight through.

 

[Rich_F]

As I understand it, the reason that closed cell foam is so hard to get hold of is that it doesn't pass most modern fire regulations. Consequently, it has limited applications, and so has become much less commonly available.

In addition to the above, closed cell foam tends to be much firmer than open cell and, apparently, can still get waterlogged over time. But I've not tested this...

Having said all that, Polyfoam in Poole may be able to help you.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

We bought our cushion material from the boat jumble guy, he has a massive stall selling bags, materials and pre made cushions.

The stuff we bought was a sheet of 1" thick expanded polythene type, not really foam. Slightly bouncy but not as soft as foam, I do not think it was closed cell, but I am not entirely sure of the trade name. It is written in marker pen on one of the cushion inserts onboard. The sheet was about 6' x 5' and was quite reasonable cost.

My gurlyfriend then made tight fitting covers from scraps of canvas left over from the cockpit tent which we built the previous year. The advantages of this method, the cushions can be walked on, they do not squash under foot. They are soft enough to keep your bones off the hard benches. The invariable spillage of coffee, orange juice etc is quickly wiped up. We have washed the canvas covers in the machine without problem. They look neat.

There are times when you might wish for something slightly softer, but for sailing and wandering about the boat they are brilliant.

The covers are just velcro'ed at the back seam which allows you to have them nice and tight. I will never go back to foam in the cockpit.

Hope this helps a bit.......

 

[snowleopard]

after a year living aboard we had numb bums. the original cushions were relegated to fendering and worked well till the covers shredded and they blew away! we now us a kapok type, obtainable from places like compass mail order.

 

[Guest]

DIY shop garden chair covers ...

They make excellent seat and back rests ..... to keep in place 2 velcro pads on back under seat .... hook on seat cover, hairy loop bit to cockpit bench - then the hook side of velcro doesn't catch trousers / ladies delicate bits !!

Cheap, replaceable, and look ok ..... if you really want luxury .... get a garden lounger spread ......

 

[snoozydude]

I am about to replace all the cushions and have been hunting the cheapist foam I can find. I have an untried tip on cutting mattress foam.

Aparently the mattress foam can be cut easily with an electirc knife.

The closed foam harder stuff I have cut with a jigsaw and a small tooth metal blade.

 

[Strathglass]

Cutting foam

Yes, that is one of the normal methods for cutting upholstery foam.
The normal domestic electric knives are very good for shaping foam.

Iain

 

[A_7]

Getting ours from here. Half the price of locally made. http://bottomsiders.com/

 

[MikeCC]

This firm was at the Netley Boat Jumble last autumn.

ABE Products
Haymoor Hall
Wybunbury
Nantwich
CW5 7HD

Tel 01270 841174

This may be the product you were thinking of - they describe them as closed cell buoyancy cushions. They have a waterproof covering with eyelets and loops for tying down if required. According to the leaflet I have, they will do custom work as well.

Example standard prices were 42"x10" = £10, 48x15"=£15.

Can't comment on comfort factor as I didn't try or buy.