Cockpit Cushions

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FlyMeAway
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Cockpit Cushions

Seriously considering spending some of my soon-to-be-filed tax refund on some closed-cell foam cockpit cushions. I know there's Bottomsiders and one other brand I couldn't quite locate. Does anybody have experience with any of the companies that do this? How was the process? Do the cushions fit?

Even better, can anybody post photos of these cushions on their C36? Would love to see what they look like on our boats. Has anyone gotten the "helm hump" -- my current (non-closed cell) cushions have that, and I like it. Wondering how well it works with closed-cell.

Thanks!

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

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SailorJackson
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Bottomsiders and their various imitators are closed cell foam dipped in vinyl, or something like that. I really don't like those. They look really uncomfortable in the hot sun against bare skin.

Last time I got cushions I went to JSI. I got their closed cell foam with an open mesh fabric. It's similar to what you see on high end patio furniture. I found really nice cushions on a brand new boat at a boat show and asked the builder where he got them. He told me JSI, that's how I found them.

[url]http://www.newjsi.com/Custom%20Exterior%20Cushions.aspx[/url]

In my experience the JSI cushions were as comfortable as sitting on fabric cushions, they look pretty much like fabric cushions. I'd leave them out in the rain overnight and found they would dry almost instantly when the sun came out. They didn't hold water at all. I suspect they might cost a bit more than vinyl cushions, but next time I need cushions that's definitely the way I'm going again.

Greg Jackson
SV Jacqui Marie
2004 C36, MKII
tall rig, wing keel,

FlyMeAway
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I want cushions I can leave outside year-round in the wet Pacific Northwest. It doesn't get so hot here that I'm worried about vinyl-dipped, but I am open to suggestions if people have found options better than closed-cell vinyl-coated.

I had planned on looking for these at the boat show in Seattle, but had to be out of town that weekend...

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

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plaineolde
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We ordered vinyl coated closed cell foam cushions at Sail Expo Phila. quite a few years ago. We had a large yellow lab at the time, and his claws pretty much destroyed the vinyl on the stock, open cell cushions. So we asked about options for that, and got a woven fabric that's 'cast' into the upper surface of the vinyl. Dog never made a scratch in it. It is a bit harder than the other side, but serves it's purpose. For anyone with a dog, it's another factor to consider. Our cushions are white with blue trim and have never been hot even in direct summer sun.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

FlyMeAway
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Thanks all. Given the Bottomsiders discount provided to association members, was hoping that a few more would have direct experience with these cushions and could comment.

On the "fabric" covered closed-cell cushions -- my primary concern is whether the fabric holds any water at all. This is important in the PNW, where I perceive that the vinyl-coated cushions are easier to just brush water off of...

Alternatively, I suppose I could get closed-cell with a zipper fabric cover, and just take the covers off in the rainy season...

David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA

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LCBrandt
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Our boat has Bottomsiders. Generally I like them. They're trouble-free and comfortable enough to sleep on if I want to sleep in the cockpit overnight. We didn't get the bump up because I have a cockpit seat there.

One disadvantage, they don't stay pristine...slight wrinkles, similar to the ones I began to notice in the mirror every morning about 30 years ago, develop over time, and these wrinkles gather dirt/mildew/whatever and give a slight discoloration to the pad. If you're a person who wants showroom floor appearance, then they aren't for you. For me, they're just fine. It seems my own wrinkles gather the same stuff, that possibly mixed with minute traces of cat dander.

Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
 

BudStreet
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Posts: 1127

[quote=LCBrandt;16735] It seems my own wrinkles gather the same stuff, that possibly mixed with minute traces of cat dander.[/quote]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I always wondered what that stuff was. Something else I can blame on the cat next time someone calls me a dirty old man!

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Capt. Sam
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Guys! There's a shower in the head up front!

Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida

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bboggs
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How do folks keep their cockpit cushions in place? Oddly the cushions that fit over the propane locker and lazerette on my MKI snap in place while the bench seat ones don't. That makes them a nusiance most of the time and a hazard some of the time. I usually keep them below until we're done sailing which is something of a bummer.

Bill Boggs
s/v Palmetto Moon
1991 C36, Hull 1128
Herrington Harbor South
Chesapeake Bay

BudStreet
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Ours are velcro'd on. Works great, you have to forcefully rip them off to get into the lockers!

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plaineolde
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Bud. Our stock cushions were velcro'd on. Being open cell, they had to go below when we left the boat and the sun destroyed the velcro. I now have closed cell/vinyl cushions and have to replace the velcro fairly often, either because the sun kills it, or the glue fails. Do you remove your cushions when leaving the boat? Seems I've heard that some folks leave them out. I always put them below, not being sure if they'd like spending the whole summer in the sun.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

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bboggs
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[QUOTE=bstreet;16800]Ours are velcro'd on. Works great, you have to forcefully rip them off to get into the lockers![/QUOTE]

What keeps the velcro in place? Just double faced tape?

Bill Boggs
s/v Palmetto Moon
1991 C36, Hull 1128
Herrington Harbor South
Chesapeake Bay

BudStreet
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Posts: 1127

Not sure, they were put on there by the P/O. It's strips about 6" X 2" and they're stuck down to the glass with something pretty stout. There's no sign of them lifting at all. The other side is of course sewn to the cushions.

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rchase311
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When we purchased our '03, we also ordered a set of "c-cushions" (similiar I believe to the "bottom siders") based on a very positive experience with them in my previous boat. Our new 36 arrived with a full set of Catalina cushions which fastened with snaps.

We had not ordered the Catalina cushions, and the dealer ended up "throwing them in" at no cost and we were able to cancel the order for the "c-cushions". While the dealers offer was greatly appreciated, we always regretted our decision.

Before the start of last season we finally ordered a full set of blue "c-cushions" at the Annapoilis show at reasonable discount, and have not regretted the decision. The original Catalina cushions had served well, and are still in very good condition. But we spend extended periods on the boat, sometimes with guests. Particularly with guests aboard there is simply no place to store cushions out of the weather when it rains. The Catalina cushions had gotten wet on occasion, and at that point they are were very difficult to dry out. and could not be stored below wet.

The "c-cushions" are in the cockpit for extended periods, and if they become wet, they are quickly dried. This type of cushion has worked well for us on two boats now, and would be my choice in the future if I ever need to purchase cushions again.

Bob Chase
2003 C36 MKII 2138 "Change of Heart"
Laconia, NH - Sailing Lake Champlain

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drdanj
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Posts: 62

I just couldn't bring myself to pay 4 figures for cushions. I wound up at a big box chain hardware store, got four chair cushions for $25 each. Two to a side, they fit near perfect, can be doubled up for reading, a couple of small velcro sounds good to keep them in place. Not perfect but on a price per pound basis, hey, they're great.Everyone who's come aboard likes them.

S/V Tao
Catalina 36
1983, Hull #114

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