Replacing VBerth Cushions - CD 28 sailboat

[Pete]

Hi All: RE: Vberth cushions - washed old covers, but the foam still smells musty - so I want to replace it and have new covers sewn at same time. I allready have the new fabric - it came from previous owner, but do you know if there are particular types of foam that are better for Vberth cushions? I hear people talking about using close-celled foam for cockpit cushions but don't know if it is necessary/desireable for sleeping on.

Thanks for any input.



dibblep@vcss.k12.ca.us

[Olli Wendelin]

I replaced all of the cushions on my CD30 last year. Cost was about $1300.00 for sette and v-berth. I don't have the breakdown with me, but foam was a major cost (1/3 ?). We used 4" high density foam. It makes a difference if you are going to sleep on it. I did not replace the cockpit cushions but did have them estimated. They use 2" closed cell foam (floats). The foam would have cost about $300.00 for two cushions.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil

[Ed Haley]

The expense of purchasing new cushions makes me suggest trying one more time to eliminate the musty odor. I washed my cushions using a carpet cleaner and machine on the covers (the easy part) and then used a solution of clorox and water (1 part clorox and 10 parts water) to remove the musty odors from the cushions. Wait for a warm, breezy and sunny day and saturate the foam cushions with the cloroz-watr solution. Place the saturated cushions on a wooden deck with spaces between the deck boards and walk on the cushions from one end to the other, squeezing as much of the liquid as possible. Then get a 6 inch board a little wider than the cushions and do the same thing again stepping on the board and moving it from one end to the other. Finally, get a shop vac and (using the suction from the hose only, draw out as much of the liquid as possible from one end to the other. You'll be able to tell if the vac is drawing liquid from the foam. Then, place the cushions in a sunny and breezy place to dryout the rest of the way. It may take a couple of days. The odor in the cushions will mostly be gone.

When they are completely dry (a must) place them back in the covers, pat yourself on the back for saving a lot of money and go out with your wife or partner for a nice dinner.



eghaley@dreamscape.com

[Dave Sabourin]

Hi All: RE: Vberth cushions - washed old covers, but the foam still smells musty - so I want to replace it and have new covers sewn at same time. I allready have the new fabric - it came from previous owner, but do you know if there are particular types of foam that are better for Vberth cushions? I hear people talking about using close-celled foam for cockpit cushions but don't know if it is necessary/desireable for sleeping on.

Thanks for any input.

If you check back a few weeks you will see an item I posted on the Board about new cushions. I had all the cushions, both fabric and foam replaced for less than $1000. They were done by the company that did the original work for CD. I would give them the highest recommendation. GREAT WORK. J&M Canvas Co. Fall River, Ma.



hatter11@erols.com

[Brent Musolf]

Pete,

I have a canvas shop in Houston and agree that you don't want closed cell foam to sleep on. In cushions, foam is the major cost. There some new foams on the market that give promise to lower mildew and mold rates. One such foam is dry-fast it is an open cell foam which is poris enough that the water drains through quite easily. It also has a biocide in the foam which will help prevent the growth of mold. This foam is very comfortable and I have used this foam exclusily on all cockpit cushions with good results and have been integrating it into some of the interior cushions as well. As far as other foams go use an HR foam with a rating of 30-35 and thickness of about 5 inchs this will give you the comfort that you desire. If you are going to do the work yourself call around to the foam distributors in your area and you will be able to get a good price on it. Dry-fast foam goes for about $1.95 a board foot, where HR foam goes for about $1.00 per board foot. You will most likely have to buy by the Bun which is usually 60-84 inches wide by 128 inches long.

Good luck,

Brent Musolf

If you need any help contact me at Sailcovers@usa.net



sailcovers@usa.net