MacGregorSailors.com

cruiser wrote:

Sumner wrote:... To go along with the dryfast we went with an......open fabric ( Phifertex Plus Vinyl Mesh Dupioni Poolside) from Sailrite.

Hi Sumner, I have heard of some people using the Phifertex for the bottom of cushions, instead of vinyl. Are you saying you used the Phifertex all-around (top, side and bottom) for your cushions?

Yep...







... Hard to describe the feel but it is a plastic type feel. They will send a sample...

http://www.sailrite.com/Phifertex-Plus- ... ide-L37-54

... but they are small. I'd get a yard if you were thinking of using it and see what you think. We all have different feelings about stuff like this. Luckily Ruth and I usually like the same thing. They recommend it for patio furniture that stays out all of the time along with boat cushions. As I said before we are going to do the Endeavour cockpit cushions the same way. If you are cruising and anchoring out dew can be a problem almost every morning. We are still getting it here in Florida with 75 deg nighttime lows. Dew or rain drys really fast or just turn the cushion over. It would probably help on just the bottom side, but with it on both sides and the dryfast foam the water/air go right through.

Here is a link to making the cushions (our first so be kind )...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... -31-a.html

Good luck,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Serous question: What do you guys do with the seat cushions when you're sailing? With me, another sailor, and all the sheets bouncing around the cockpit constantly, and the occasional wave over the gunnel, it seems to me like all that stuff in the cockpit would be a constant hassle. The admiral wants to do cockpit cushions and I so far have put the kibosh on it because I don't want the extra stuff under foot. I guess you stash them in the aft berth when not dockside?

mastreb wrote:Serous question: What do you guys do with the seat cushions when you're sailing?.

It depends. Ruth is usually on the tiller and likes the bottom cushion, but not the back.

One thing we did was ....



...divide all of the lengths in half. This makes them a lot more versatile on which ones you have out at any given time and would for sure do this again. They are also easier to store vs. the long original ones.



Normally the back bottom starboard cushion is there for Ruth. Then the two forward bottom cushions and one back is there for me (I'll move it side to side). All the rest of them are below. In our case they go in the V-berth as the aft berth area is full. At night they go out into the ...



...the cockpit and I usually tie them down just in case a wind comes up. We are going to sew some loops on the backside for a line to go through,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

mastreb wrote:Serous question: What do you guys do with the seat cushions when you're sailing? With me, another sailor, and all the sheets bouncing around the cockpit constantly, and the occasional wave over the gunnel, it seems to me like all that stuff in the cockpit would be a constant hassle. The admiral wants to do cockpit cushions and I so far have put the kibosh on it because I don't want the extra stuff under foot. I guess you stash them in the aft berth when not dockside?

I try to not get waves over the gunnel. In fact, I've never had one. Yikes, how hard do you sail your boat?

As for the cushions, we sit on them while sailing. Stand on them if need to. They are not in the way at all.
We have the factory beige cushions. The are comfortable as they are open cell foam. I can't imagine sitting on closed cell foam. Not my big behind. The only problem we have is the beige vinyl gets HOT! Our sun is strong and these things can fry an egg on them. So the admiral has devised a cushion cover made of beach towel terri cloth. They stay nice and cool now and we stand on them. If they get dirty, we take them off and wash them at home in the washing machine.

It's nice to lay down on them and stare at the stars at night. Very comfy.

Has anyone done cushions with flap snaps, ala the interior port settee cushions? I imagine that would keep them well in place.

I like the idea of terrycloth covers. You'd always have a towel available that way.

As for waves, there's always some four story stinkpot going by at 20 knots and catching us sideways in San Diego Bay. That's the usual case anyway.

mastreb wrote:As for waves, there's always some four story stinkpot going by at 20 knots and catching us sideways in San Diego Bay. That's the usual case anyway.

Oh, yea right. I forgot about those idiots. In out Hunter 34 we encountered many of those when going out the inlet. Small channel, must go fast, fish await. Amazing how they have no regard for their wake. Maybe they even enjoy it, who knows.

Cushions are a good thing. We really enjoy having them. Nights we turn them over so they don't get covered in dew.

Sumner wrote:

cruiser wrote:

Sumner wrote:... To go along with the dryfast we went with an......open fabric ( Phifertex Plus Vinyl Mesh Dupioni Poolside) from Sailrite.

Hi Sumner, I have heard of some people using the Phifertex for the bottom of cushions, instead of vinyl. Are you saying you used the Phifertex all-around (top, side and bottom) for your cushions?

Yep...... Hard to describe the feel but it is a plastic type feel. ..... We all have different feelings about stuff like this.

Yes, I agree. I will keep your comments in mind, as although my current bunk cushions are OK (more a foam problem than a cover problem as they are the original vinyl cushions) they do get a bit water logged if they are left out in the rain and it becomes a nuisance moving them in and out of the cabin - we tend to go out for one or more nights at a time. I am concerned that if I replace the foam they may be even heavier to move around.

At this stage I am doing a bit of experimenting. Have replaced the foam in the port side cabin cushion with 35-200 and the foam in the starboard cabin cushion, next to the galley (the cushion you just sit on for cooking), with 35-230 - just to see how we like those firmnesses. The 35-200 feels very firm to lie on at the moment but the general concensus seems to be that if it feels soft to begin with it may be too soft once you have worn it in.

mastreb wrote:Has anyone done cushions with flap snaps, ala the interior port settee cushions? I imagine that would keep them well in place.

We added a snapped on tether from the bottom of the seat cushion to the back of the bolster to keep the cushions together and in place. The helm seat and back cushion are held in place with snaps, three in the back rest and one in the seat. We sail with our Shelty Tex on board most of the time so we use terrycloth beach towels over the seat cushions to help keep them clean.



Marc

Storage, waterproof and floatation is my concern with Cocpit cusions. Closed cell foam 1Inch thick covered with a sunbrella canvas.
Closed cell foam is comfort for cockpit seating and the Sunbrella canvas (0r like kind knock off) keeps the water from penitrating thru fabric.
I have stated I used closed cell foam with a sunbrella canvas type at Defenders at ( $9.50 a yard, 59 inches wide) and used them as floats swimming in salt water.
If one wants a softer cushion, than make up a 2 ft. cusion to sit on.
Closed cell and Sunbrella cover, you don't have to wait for foam to dry out (even the quick dry foam).
Just a mater of takeing a small dry towel to wipe off morning dew or rain.
At 1 inch thick you can easy store in aft Vbearth for 6-8 inches high,all cushions and use them for extra support for sleeping,just put them under your 3 inch cusions for a Mac.X.
Dave

mastreb wrote:Serous question: What do you guys do with the seat cushions when you're sailing? With me, another sailor, and all the sheets bouncing around the cockpit constantly, and the occasional wave over the gunnel, it seems to me like all that stuff in the cockpit would be a constant hassle. The admiral wants to do cockpit cushions and I so far have put the kibosh on it because I don't want the extra stuff under foot. I guess you stash them in the aft berth when not dockside?

DaveB wrote:use them for extra support for sleeping,just put them under your 3 inch cusions for a Mac.X.

Brilliant! The cushions for the aft berth on the M are 2", and JUST BARELY sufficient for a night's sleep. An extra inch underneath them would be ideal. The trick would be configuring the cushions so that they fit the cockpit and the aft-berth perfectly. Fortunately, on an M both are nearly exactly the same length, so with back bolsters, they should lay flat over the majority of the aft berth. I'll take measurements and see how well this would work.

Perhaps we could convince Ruth and Sumner to mass produce them for the if we got ten buyers together?

Hi Everyone

I just spoke to Bob at Softopper www.boatbimini.com They now have full sets of Interior Cushion Covers ( minus the rear berth ) for the 26X and full sets of the Cockpit Cushion Covers for the 26X.

The Interior Covers are $599.00 Full main cabin including V-berth, dinette, port side settee with backrest and battery compartment seat. 9 covers in total.

The Cockpit covers are $399.00 Exact copies as the original covers. 2 long seats, 2 long back rests and seat and backrest for the captains chair.

They don't have them up on the site yet ( should next week) but have them in stock and ready to ship.

They are the same color ( or as close as possible ) as the interior covers on the 26M. The color is called Montana Saddle.

Moondance

I just bought a full set of 26X cockpit and cabin cushions at http://www.boatbimini.com Should receive them in a couple of weeks depending on shipping to Canada. Getting excited. Spring is just around the corner...well almost.

This is great! That's more in line with what these cockpit cushions should cost. The only problem I have is the color; wish they offered them in white or light beige, like the original. I suspect that these Montana brown ones will get really hot in full sunshine.
I am still toying with the idea to get them in sunbrella.

I want to get some too - but just the backrests. I have a sister-in-law who is a seamstress and could probably make them out of whatever material. Just need to get around to the measurements, finding the right material for the cushions, chose the color of material that matches closely my white bottom cushions with blue trim, get it all to the sister-in-law, owe her a favor and some coin then post it in the mods section.

Nothing to it, really. If anyone has any idea as to the backrest measurements, I'd be that much further ahead.