We are looking to replace our old grungy cushions. Has anyone done that recently? Any recommendations on vendors or cautionary tales?
Search this forum for cushions and you will find a great posting by PeteW. The link appears to be broken but it was a great post. I have been planning/wanting to replace Maruskas cushions for years but finding the right fabric has been an issue.
Foam is a big expense and reflects huge in the final outcome, especially if you are sleeping aboard often. Do not skimp and do not assume your foam is just fine. The "smell" is often deep within the cushion.
Keep us informed and send pictures. That goes for anyone reading this post, if you have redone your cushions post some pictures!
Dale
I bought an old Singer Sewing Machine and made my own zippered box cushions and posted my instructions with pictures somewhere on this site. My only tip (and this is critical) is to cut the top and bottom panels together so that they are have exactly the same sewing perimeter dimension.
Here's a link to the repaired post.
http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=925.msg4512#msg4512
Also Sailrite.com has some on-line instructions for making cushions.
Pete
Belle & Dave,
Years ago we had a local upholstery shop make new cushions for Sea Dragon - it worked out very well. We worked with them to pick out a fabric and foam firmness, then dropped off the old cushions which they used as patterns. 11 years latter we are still happy with approach our cushions.
Caution - Fabric cost can quickly double or triple the price of the project... The key points are find something stands up to water and durable that you like.
I recommend going with a local shop you can spend time with and feel good about their work - there is nothing special about boat cushions, really.
Garner