Sunbrella for cockpit seats?

[Elessar]

The White vinyl seats on my boat are now impossible to get properly clean. The foam is saggy too and I am going to replace them.

So.....

White vinyl again? Will look original but just a bit 90s. Will be happy with it but as I'm changing I have the option for new materials.

I use my boat a lot. With family and friends, for charters and teaching. It sometimes goes out without me too but only with a short list of trusted and experienced skippers. It does not get treated with kid gloves at all, but I do get upset if it gets damaged.

So the new seats have to be able to put up with heavy use and clean up afterwards.

This new beige stuff that's all the rage, is that sunbrella? Does it clean? Wine stains? Food stains?

The beige I think will also look dated in 5 years so am thinking of alternate colours, but the main thrust of this question is, whats the best material to use for a well used boat?

I'm told JFM is the expert but I expect he's preoccupied at the moment

 

[crazy4557]

Mark whatever material you decide this is the man to use: mjmarine@btconnect.com

Martin Duce up in Essex...top man, great product and good price. You've seen the upholstery on my boat as proof!
JFM of this parish has also used him as have a few others.

 

[Elessar]

Mark whatever material you decide this is the man to use: mjmarine@btconnect.com

Martin Duce up in Essex...top man, great product and good price. You've seen the upholstery on my boat as proof!
JFM of this parish has also used him as have a few others.

What material was it on the fairline? It was a vinyl of some sort? Did look good.

 

[crazy4557]

What material was it on the fairline? It was a vinyl of some sort? Did look good.

It was standard vinyl material that's the same used for current Fairline's. Not sure excat name but if you quote my name to MJ they will surely remember.

 

[Nick_H]

Sunbrella is a true fabric, in that it's woven, and can be bought with waterproof backing as Sunbrella Plus. It's more comfortable (you don't stick to it), looks better, and is warmer in the evenings, but the fabric does hold water, so it takes longer to dry than vinyl. A lot of boats now are using a textured vinyl, so it looks like fabric from a few feet away, but not close up.

In the Med i'd use Sunbrella for sure, and on a hardtop in the UK, but if the seats are likely to get wet regularly, then i'd go for the textured vinyl.

 

[Magnum]

A lot of boats now are using a textured vinyl, so it looks like fabric from a few feet away, but not close up.

In the Med i'd use Sunbrella for sure, and on a hardtop in the UK, but if the seats are likely to get wet regularly, then i'd go for the textured vinyl.

Nick are you talking about Movida? If so we are looking to have our new boat's cockpit cushions made from this material.

 

[Elessar]

Sunbrella is a true fabric, in that it's woven, and can be bought with waterproof backing as Sunbrella Plus. It's more comfortable (you don't stick to it), looks better, and is warmer in the evenings, but the fabric does hold water, so it takes longer to dry than vinyl. A lot of boats now are using a textured vinyl, so it looks like fabric from a few feet away, but not close up.

In the Med i'd use Sunbrella for sure, and on a hardtop in the UK, but if the seats are likely to get wet regularly, then i'd go for the textured vinyl.

Very helpful thank you. I'm thinking I always run with covers up if it rains so they don't get wet often but thinking about it they are often soaked with condensation. So vinyl it is.

And I think I'm going to get it done in grey. Anyone done that/got pictures?

 

[wilson2558]

Sunbrella fabric covered, closed cell foam backrests for sailboat lifelines

 

[Nick_H]

Nick are you talking about Movida? If so we are looking to have our new boat's cockpit cushions made from this material.

Mark, not sure of the name of the vinyl. I saw that you've ordered a raggie, great stuff, will you be keeping her on your mole sud berth?

 

[Magnum]

Mark, not sure of the name of the vinyl. I saw that you've ordered a raggie, great stuff, will you be keeping her on your mole sud berth?

Nope. 3m draught! Berth is for sale.

In any case we have a taste for keeping moving now

 

[tico]

MJ upholstery

The vinyl is callad 'Watersand suede' at least the beige colour used for Fairlines is that.
Martin did all the cockpit cushions last year and makes a brilliant job!
Cushions are comfortable and still look perfect after 2 seasons use... and we use it a lot!

As for stain resistance, both the vinyl and Sunbrella plus will shrug off everything you can throw at them..... I tested oil, beetroot juice , red wine & sun cream on both and wonder of wonders they ALL just wiped off. The only slight mark was when i rubbed (and i mean really rubbed) dirth engine oil/grease into the sunbrella, even then with a little detergent, it came off 99.9%

Martin will provide new foam and it's just the right hardness.

 

[Nick_H]

In any case we have a taste for keeping moving now

Interpol just don't give up do they

 

[Magnum]

Interpol just don't give up do they

Agreed. Just don't know how you have managed to avoid them for longer than me