"Bob Crantz" wrote in message . ..
| I've priced out the cost of using USCG approved throwable cushions vs a
| custom made set of closed cell cockpit cushions. Since my cockpit is 8 feet
| in length I'll need 16 throwable cushions for the seat and 16 more for the
| back rest. That is 32 cushions on my large, spacious cockpit. At $20 bucks a
| cushion we're looking at $640, but they are USCG approved and it is a large,
| spacious oversized cockpit. I've been quoted about $800 for a nice set of 2
| inch thick closed cell foam cushions with real leather covering from an
| automobile upholsterer. Is leather a good material to use for this? What
| kind of surface treatment would you recommend for long life? It's a lot of
| leather since my cockpit is so large and spacious, so I'll probably have to
| buy leather treatment in the gallon size. I'm sure the nearly dozen guests
| that I can fit into my oversize, spacious cockpit will be impressed by the
| leather cushions. Money is a concern for me and at times I almost wish I had
| a smaller, cramped cockpit of 6'10" in length, even though it would
| seriously detract from the sailing experience not to mention limiting the
| amount of gun rack one could use. So, in the end, having a large,
| exceptionally spacious cockpit of 8 feet in length does have its drawbacks
| when trying to outfit it in leather upholstry in the form of expense. But
| then that drawback pales to the pity one receives from others when they
| learn that your cockpit is a sub-7 footer.


Leather is for dungeons and dykes. It turns into mold on a sailboat.
Use Naugahyde instead. Or, better yet use Sunbrella fabric. Use
Velcro instead of zippers because even nylon zippers turn to powder
when exposed to sun and weather. Sunbrella can be laundered when
soiled but Naugahyde can be kept clean with a paper towel or two
and soapy water.

Paladin

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