cushions

[foltz_d]

Anybody our there made cushions for a C26? and if so how did you do it?

[Gus]

The guy I bought the 22 from, told me his wife made new cushions using the old ones as a pattern to cut the new fabric.

[ronc98]

If you look through the forum I posted some measurements for the cushions. This should give you a pretty good start.

[Windwalker]

I'm in the middle of recovering my cushions now. Foam is no problem, local sources are fine. For fabric, I found Sailrite has some of the best prices for Sunbrella (I only want to do this once, so I buy the best).

I have measured drawings for all of my 78 C26 cushions (I did this to figure out how much fabric I'd need) that I will be happy to share. Foam, fabric, zippers and a sewing machine will get you there. Sailrite is good source for everything you'll need.

It sounds like you don't have any cushions at all. If this is the case I can understand your confusion, the cushion shapes are odd and it's a little like putting a puzzle together.

Other then deciding on a fabric pattern/color, it's fairly easy. If I can do it, not having done much sewing at all, it can't be that difficult. The hardest part is getting my wife to help. I've been trying to bribe her by letting her choose the pattern and color.

[Guillaume C.]

I have to make a complete set of cushions too. I have read that sunbrella did not look very good for this purpose because it is not strechy so the fabric never lie flat on the foam. Dont know much about marine fabric, but you migh verify this opinion before buying

[Windward]

I did use Sunbrella on the salon cushions, and it's been a good decision for me. They aren't perfect, but my goals were decent looking, serviceable and completed, and those were met. After a couple of years and more than 200 days sailing, they still look about like they did when new.

I cut new open cell foam and sandwiched it top and bottom by gluing on 3/8" blue foam camping pads. This keeps the surface firm, maintains shape and means that when people sit below with wet swim suits (or, this time of year, foulies) they don't soak the open cell foam. It also helps the fabric lay fairly flat and taught.

A couple of not-great pics.






Virtually no one I know has ever taken their cushion covers off unless they're replacing them, and certainly on Windward all the zippers were frozen. I simplified construction by simply hand sewing the top of the outboard seam rather than installing zipper or velcro. To keep the cushions ventilated I used Phifertex mesh for the panel that abuts the settee backs.

To secure the cushions I planned to add a mahogany fiddle along the edge of the settee base. The quick fix, though, was to add a 1.5" or so flat tab along the outer edge and put snaps in so I can snap it to the settee base. I left only about 1" on some, and they come unsnapped too easily. The one with 1.5" tab can be easily lifted to access the locker below and stays stuck just fine.

Fair Winds,

Jeff