Soggy Cushions

[Abaker]

Does anyone know how to make settee and berth cushions which do not absorb water, are comfortable for sitting or sleeping, look decent, do not rot, and won't erupt in toxic smoke if ignited?

After years of liveaboard cruising our yacht's upholstery is terminally ill. It has soaked up condensation, drinks spilled on it, and salty spray. The fabric is nearly impossible to clean properly or dry completely. The foam also remains damp and has collapsed where we usually sit or lie. All this in an otherwise excellent bluewater cruiser from one of the best builders.

We're in Falmouth UK after last summer's Atlantic crossing, planning some Channel cruising, and hoping to discover someone in this moist part of the world who makes better cushions.

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[snowleopard]

latex foam doesn't absorb moisture. it's very expensive but may well be what you need.

you may get it from a domestic foam supplier or you could try the Natural Mat Company.

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[charles_reed]

Closed cell doesn't absorb moisture and Dralon is superb.
Mine's been worked hard for 14 years and I'm just thinking of replacing the covers and putting 50mm of high density onto the back of the current cushions.

Can't help you with the UK, but can give you the name and address a very good contractor in Perpignan.

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[Guest]

i'm in cornwall have you access to yellow pages? page 569-570 or web www.foamforhome.com.uk www.putnams.co.uk I'm not connected & don't know anything about them.
I am looking for the same myself & will be trying them
Hope this helps best of luck.

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[Guest]

Salt in fabric or foam will keep them wet forever

We have pretty standard foam cushions (nothing fancy or expensive) covered in a nylon waleless corduroy (automobile upholstery material). The foam has an inner covering of muslin. The nap on the corduroy wicks moisture up and away from the cushions, so they dry faster.

However, if there is any salt in the cushions, they will never dry because salt is a dessicant - it absorbs water. At least once a year I take the muslin-covered foam out of the covers and wash both cover and foam. This gets rid of the salt and soil that inevitably settles into the fabric and the foam. They will last longer, and will be much more comfortable.

Our cushions have stood up extremely well, though living aboard constantly over all these (17) years, they get a lot of wear.

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[AndrewB]

One of life's conundrums. Technology may have revolutionised navigation but its never cracked the humble boat cushion. The person who invents cushions "which do not absorb water, are comfortable for sitting or sleeping, look decent, do not rot, and won't erupt in toxic smoke if ignited" has a fortune coming, not to mention the eternal gratitude of yachtsmen.

Cockpits are the real problem zone. The experienced cruising guy looking for somewhere to sit on a visited boat treats a proferrod cockpit cushion with all the wariness of an anthill. Sit down without thought, and ten minutes later you feel that soggy damp feeling coming up the backside that you know will hang on there all day and leave a patch that will cause noses to turn as you pass by.

And there is certainly nothing decent to be had in the UK. Covered foam is a disaster - if covered with waterproof material, then sneaky permanently wet bits develop along the seams: double seal and somehow the whole cushion acts as a sponge, mysteriously taking in water until it becomes heavy and shapeless. Uncovered closed cell cushions in the UK are poxy little affairs, OK provided you sit in one place but tend to all end up in a heap in the bottom of the cockpit, or blow away all together.

I've been buying decent sized ones from West Marine in the US for use in the cockpit. These meet most of your criteria except they do not stay looking good for very long, as they tend to pick up dirt and chip along the edges with use. And not sure about their fire-ristance capability. But, hey, 3 out of 5 ain't bad.


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[tcm]

I agree with the not-so-positive responses here.

Closed cell foam isn't recommended - simply because it's very very hard to sit on, almost better with thick carpet.

One fault that can develop is that covers ruck around the foam, sticking to it, rucking uop the cushion or requiring that a saggy cover is fitted: a nylon undercover allows the cover to return to previous positions, or even just some clingfilm is a start to allow cushion covers to be fitted tightly and look smart.

I'd use a local upholster BUT quality varies so look at some things they've done first.


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