Ladies and gents:
Old Scrooge23 here is about to pry my wallet open and spring for new cushions. The ones I have are original, 1985 and although they are in pretty good condition for their age, which is more than I can say for myself, I'm in the mood for nice new ones with firmer foam padding and Sunbrella covers.
Any sources you rum drinking bilge pump operators would recommend? A local guy has given me a price and his work is excellent but I'm shopping around!
Thanks mates!
Bob23
Bob, the same folks that recover upholstered furniture will make boat cushions. On pieces that big and bulky, local is usually better, shipping would be high. I happen to live in the center of the promotional grade upholstered and motion furniture manufacturing capital so there are always folks around who do that on the side or in retirement. Plenty of local foam factories, wholesale fabric sales folks and industrial sewing machines available.
Bob, you are pretty handy. A good winter project would be making new ones. You can get all of the supplies from Sailrite and use the old cushions for patterns. It really wouldn't be that bad of a project and you would be proud of them when they are done.
You can also save money if you recycle things like the zippers. If your old zippers are find and work well then re-use them. There is also some videos out there to help you in the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVDsT8QWxko
I believe JSI in St Pete has been the factory cushion maker for sometime. They would be my first call.
Why Sunbrella? Some velour-like boating cushion fabric would be way more comfy and attractive.
If the cost is a lot more than expected maybe some new closed cell foam along with about 4 hand washings of each cushion cover.
I was pretty grossed out at the amount of dirt these cushions held when I washed 'em a few years back.
Good point Mike and thank you. The cushion maker wants to use a dense closed cell foam which looks pretty good. He does furniture as well as cushions for boats and home. I'll rethink the fabric. Thanks, mate!
Bob, take a look at Ultra Suede for the salon and find a very light breathable fabric for the V-berth. The Ultra Suede is very tough stuff and it will last for a while. You want your sleeping area to breathe better.