26X cockpit cusions

[dlandersson]

My 1997 Mac 26X came with (among other things) grey cockpit cushions with snaps that matched the seats so they would not slid around. They are showing their age - starting to wear out. Is there a co that makes these?

[jassr4848]

Could try this site http://shop.macgregorowners.com/

[Ivan Awfulitch]

I bought mine from Softopper years ago and they're fantastic. On the web they don't list the X or M any more, but I know Bob has the patterns. Give them a call and check.
http://www.softopper.com/Marine_Products-list.aspx

[dlandersson]

Thank you.

I bought mine from Softopper years ago and they're fantastic. On the web they don't list the X or M any more, but I know Bob has the patterns. Give them a call and check.
http://www.softopper.com/Marine_Products-list.aspx

[March]

Just talked to Bob, they don't carry them anymore. However, if we can find at least ten customers interested in, they are willing to dig up the templates at make another series. Diandersson and me, that's two. We should canvas for eight more, so to speak? Anyone else?
Maybe a new thread would be in order

[SeaGriff]

What would be the cost ?

[paul I]

I'm in if the price is right. I assume these are like the ones that came with my boat... vinyl jackets over foam?

[06HARLEYULTRA]

I may be interested, depending on price and vinyl?? colors available.

Rich

[DaveB]

I would be interested, can you get a cost and shipping?
Dave

Just talked to Bob, they don't carry them anymore. However, if we can find at least ten customers interested in, they are willing to dig up the templates at make another series. Diandersson and me, that's two. We should canvas for eight more, so to speak? Anyone else?
Maybe a new thread would be in order

[March]

If we have 10 persons or more interested in the 26X cockpit cushion set, Bob would be willing to get them back in production:

--set: like the original, six pieces (two seats, two back rests, and the captain's seat and rest)
--same material as the originals (some sort of vinyl. NO sunbrella)
--to keep the price low both for shipping and production, we will have to use the original foam.
--snaps in place, as per the original, backed up by pieces of fabric
--the color they favor is teak--but Bob would be willing to look into something else, for everyone. We could go with the original puke gray. I have a feeling that darker colors would tend to get sizzling hot in the sunshine. Maybe even white? Ivory?
--he could not give me a price (the girl who used to make them is on vacation till next Tuesday), but he guesstimated around $350.00

That might be worth it: mine have been patched and repatched several times (the snaps tend to break through the fabric eventually). I had some local folks redo them, by using the old ones as a template, but the results were dismal: I don't know how they cut them, but the damn foam never stays in place right anymore. No matter how I pound, press, pinch, and reset them, they always end with the zippers awry, in a shapeless mess, within 24 hours. To add insult to injury, those dummies sewed the zippers in the wrong places (on the inner edge of the seats, rather than on the outer one, where they could be tucked under the backrests) where the zippers promptly take water when things get wet...

Ant thoughts?

[DaveB]

Back 7 years ago I made cockpit cushions for my Compac 19 Cockpit out of 1-1/2 inch closed cell foam with Sunbrella covers and loved them.
All you need is 1 inch closed cell foam and still will not bottom out and much better than factory and easy to store being thin.
I like Sunbrella as it breaths and I used them as a float while anchored off the beach.
I don't need back cushions as I use the 2x2 ft. throw cushions as they give higher back support.
I have a friend that works in a small Marine canvas shop and going to get prices.
One way to see if you like the closed cell foam is to buy a closed cell sleeper mat at Walmart. It is 1/2 inch thick so fold it in half to make 1 inch and sit on it for a few hrs. , They cost around $6-8.
The covers should have a lip on it for snap connections, or small straps instead of built in that are hard to connect and pull from fabric.
Dave

If we have 10 persons or more interested in the 26X cockpit cushion set, Bob would be willing to get them back in production:

--set: like the original, six pieces (two seats, two back rests, and the captain's seat and rest)
--same material as the originals (some sort of vinyl. NO sunbrella)
--to keep the price low both for shipping and production, we will have to use the original foam.
--snaps in place, as per the original, backed up by pieces of fabric
--the color they favor is teak--but Bob would be willing to look into something else, for everyone. We could go with the original puke gray. I have a feeling that darker colors would tend to get sizzling hot in the sunshine. Maybe even white? Ivory?
--he could not give me a price (the girl who used to make them is on vacation till next Tuesday), but he guesstimated around $350.00

That might be worth it: mine have been patched and repatched several times (the snaps tend to break through the fabric eventually). I had some local folks redo them, by using the old ones as a template, but the results were dismal: I don't know how they cut them, but the damn foam never stays in place right anymore. No matter how I pound, press, pinch, and reset them, they always end with the zippers awry, in a shapeless mess, within 24 hours. To add insult to injury, those dummies sewed the zippers in the wrong places (on the inner edge of the seats, rather than on the outer one, where they could be tucked under the backrests) where the zippers promptly take water when things get wet...

Ant thoughts?

[ROAD Soldier]

Self inflating camping sleeping mats and some industrial velcro works great. They:
. don't absorb water
. roll up neatly
. comfortable enough to sleep on because that is what they are designed to do
. wash down easily and dry in 5 minutes
. insulate you behind from the cold winter sail
. come in any color you can think of
. more durable than any boat cushion
. going with the top of the line brand sleeping mat and velcro run you $250 USD.

[March]

by ROAD Soldier » Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:15 pm

Self inflating camping sleeping mats and some industrial velcro works great.

I'm sure they do. Aren't they a wee too wide for the narrow cockpit seats though? Would they still self-inflate if you cut them to specs?

In the same creative spirit, a couple of bean bags would also work in a pinch

[vizwhiz]

Would be good to search for Sumner's description of what he did for the cockpit on his S boat...and there are others on here who have made good quality cushions as well...this is a pretty popular topic, so search should come up with a lot of hits.

I purchased some foam for interior cushions from the same people as Sumner used (http://www.thefoamfactory.com) and they are great - even called me when they had a question about how I had asked them to cut my foam.

I cut the foam with an electric carving knife (like you use for a turkey or ham).

Combine that with a little sewing expertise, or a good attempt at it, and some nice cushions might turn out at a very reasonable price.

(I keep threatening the admiral that I'm going to buy a sewing machine...)

[Sea Wind]

(I keep threatening the admiral that I'm going to buy a sewing machine...)

We did that this year and now have a stack pack, new bimini and currently working on new sacrificial UV cover for the Genoa. Great investment without much prior experience. All the faded grey will soon be replaced with Persian Green a la Highlander.

Sea Wind