Settee cushion foam

[Steve Laume]

The classic, ever lasting, plaid, fabric on Raven is still doing well after, nearly 40 years. It is amazing material. The foam inside of it is another matter. I forgot how bad it hurts my back until I slept aboard last weekend. I believe there will come a morning during my summer cruise when it completely incapacitates me and I will be unable to leave my bunk. Sailrite sells a high density poly foam that has some sort of voodoo magic mildew additive. I am sure it is great foam. It is also expensive foam. I have found suppliers on line that sell it for about half the price and was wondering if anyone had any experience with suppliers other than Sailrite. I seriously doubt that all the upholsterers are buying from Sailright. It seems like a similar situation to engine parts where if you buy them through Universal instead of Kabota, you will pay three times as much for the same thing.

It will be worth it to pay whatever it takes to save my back but I could also use the extra money for some other projects, Steve.

[Frenchy]

I used FoamOrder upholstery foam - a soft 2" layer atop a 3" medium density. Seems to work okay.
- Jean




https://www.foamorder.com/foam/upholstery-foam.html

[s2sailorlis]

foamtouch.com

I purchased a sheet from them via Amazon. 72” x 30” x 2” high density closed cell. Is this the best for a boat? Not really as open cell I think is the type that won’t hold water I think. However, it seemed no different than the original stuff, and it was only $36.00...

[Frenchy]

Rick, the closed cell is excellent for a boat - outside in the form of cockpit cushions. The closed cell does
not absorb water and the cushion can even be thrown to help provide buoyancy for a MOB.
However, it is stiff and not as comfortable as the fast-dri foam that sailrite sells. That's what I used for the
cockpit cushions. Inside the cabin, the closed cell would be inappropriate for sleeping on. You really need
upholstery foam. Unfortunately, that variety does absorb water. You can wrap the top in sheeting to
help prevent water absorbtion, leaving the underside open to aid in drying if it did happen to get wet. Sailrite
sells a product for this purpose. - Jean

[Paul D.]

If DIY you can use an inch or two of HD closed cell on the bottom glued to three to four inches of medium density foam on top. The closed cell prevents bottomingnout. Maybe some batting or other product on top for comfort. Don Casey has some sound advice on the details in this old boat.

[steveg]

I have used this foam. https://foamforyou.com/50-ild-for-seat- ... hions.html

It is nice and firm and does not retain water. Water flows right through it.