Replacement cushions for forward bench on 32

[Phenix-former-owner]

Well, it was bound to happen ... due to crew error (accidentally left out when 70 knot winds came), one of the two forward cushions has been lost. These are the ones that go on the long bench just aft of the netting, where the water tank and propane compartment are. The cushion that is lost is the starboard one, so I am in need of replacement. I don't suppose anyone has an extra lying around.

Barring the miracle of running across a OEM cushion, does anyone have any ideas on who might make them economically? Probably would have to get one for the entire length of the bench, to get them to look good.

Ideas?

[thinwater]

I can only suggest coming up with a way to secure them in the future. I was shocked when I got my PDQ and realized there was no means to secure any of the cushions. Nuts.

[mikeandrebecca]

Sorry, no replacement here.

Our cushions snap on along the leading edge but that is not enough in high winds. We lost one overboard while under sail in 25 knots and got to practice our COB (cushion overboard) drill. It wasn't that fun but the cushion did live to see another day. We now remove them and bring them inside before raising anchor.

[thinwater]

ZTC:

Really, now you should practice your CHD (Cushion Hoisting Drill).

I have the snaps on the front as well; though I didn't ever loose one, I've had them try. For the upper cockpit cushions I installed 3/4-inch fastex buckles around the hard top supports, but they don't fly much anyway. If I wanted to use the forward cushions underway I would do something very sturdy, with 3-4 buckles each.

[mikeandrebecca]

It was hilarious (in retrospect) trying to get the cushion back on board while under sail. We sailed past it twice at about 6 knots! Finally we dropped the sails and used the engines to position the boat just to leeward of the cushion, allowing it to drift down on to the transom step where Rebecca was waiting with the boat hook.

[Magic Time]

I recently replaced my cocpit cusions. I used the same type of 2" closed cell foam and even the same type of mesh fabric. They are just as hard and uncomfortable to sit on as the originals. I use this material because it will not absorb the water.It was not a cheep job to have them made.We very seldom used the old cusions. They were always in the way when we stored them below.
I now realise that I should have given the project more thought.
So Regarding the forward bench. I have made a paper template of he shape of the cusion. I am going to use 1/2" closed cell camping matress material and cover it with a machine washable acrilic fabric. It will not be any worse to sit on than the cockpit cusions and if I make it to fold in the middle it will be much easier to store below.
just a though!

[Tom Green]

http://www.bottomsiders.com/

For our power cat we made patterns and had bottomsiders make cushions for our bridge seats. We like them very much. There are some suggested ways of securing them on their web site. I don't know if this would be of interest.

[Phenix-former-owner]

I ended up ordering cushions for the forward bench from here - http://www.customcushions.net/bench.aspx - they should be here in a week or so. When I get them, I will post the specs, photos and also my feedback on whether I got the right thing.