cockpit cushions for NS26C

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Howard C. Wright

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Feb 11, 2021, 9:58:16 PM2/11/21
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Would anyone recommend where to order good closed-cell foam cockpit cushions for a 26C?

Thanks,

Howard Wright
NS26C Merrythought
Friday Harbor, WA

Joe Weinbrecht

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Feb 11, 2021, 10:11:22 PM2/11/21
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CCushions.com

Joe
NS26C #156

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Bob Gehrman

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Feb 11, 2021, 11:41:29 PM2/11/21
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I found the original foam used in my cockpit cushions, called Flotex. It’s not cheap, but it’s a very comfortable foam relative to density and squishiness/support. 

If you think about the number of hours you spend sitting on this material, it’s worth it to buy the right kind. 

Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland

Howard C. Wright

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Feb 12, 2021, 12:13:49 AM2/12/21
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Paul Miller

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Feb 12, 2021, 1:31:40 AM2/12/21
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I made my own from EVA foam spray coated with Plastidip. They are great but if I had it to do again I might try Ensolite foam. C Cushions are good but shipping to Canada was going to make them ~$2500. Mine cost me around $500.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper 
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
6BE78491-C78D-4445-A24D-B2732D3A0656.jpeg

Howard Wright

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Feb 12, 2021, 2:01:28 AM2/12/21
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That looks great. How did you make the cushions?

Howard Wright

On Feb 11, 2021, at 10:31 PM, Paul Miller <sandpip...@gmail.com> wrote:

I made my own from EVA foam spray coated with Plastidip. They are great but if I had it to do again I might try Ensolite foam. C Cushions are good but shipping to Canada was going to make them ~$2500. Mine cost me around $500.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/f642bf55-104d-4328-a02d-6dbd3d881b1an%40googlegroups.com.
<6BE78491-C78D-4445-A24D-B2732D3A0656.jpeg>

Bob Gehrman

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Feb 12, 2021, 10:20:11 AM2/12/21
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Paul Miller

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Feb 12, 2021, 10:21:42 AM2/12/21
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Here’s an album I made when I did them. It probably tells the story best.

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Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.

Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous

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Feb 12, 2021, 11:56:29 AM2/12/21
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Howard:

I would try Sailrite for foam, but you might find the shipping is a lot due to the size of the foam you will need.  Suspect the options in Friday Harbor are a bit limited for foam, so you may be stuck with expensive shipping.  If you are going to make the cushions yourself, Sailrite will have a lot of videos on how to do it.

Lloyd Herman
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington, NY

Bob Neches (Solar Wind, N26C #143)

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Feb 12, 2021, 1:37:20 PM2/12/21
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Wow, your home job REALLY looks nice, Paul!

I did some internet research and it looks like Ensolite foam is sold by lots of places, so that might be the way to go for price shoppers.

-- Bob
   Solar Wind
   Nonsuch 26C #143

On Friday, February 12, 2021 at 7:21:42 AM UTC-8 sandpip...@gmail.com wrote:
Here’s an album I made when I did them. It probably tells the story best.
.... They are great but if I had it to do again I might try Ensolite foam. C Cushions are good but shipping to Canada was going to make them ~$2500. Mine cost me around $500.

Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Feb 12, 2021, 5:45:15 PM2/12/21
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Paul,
You had better tell them about the safety precautions you took to spray the Plastidip. Also mention your thoughts on foam density.

Mark Powers

Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Feb 12, 2021, 5:49:50 PM2/12/21
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PS Paul,
Also discuss the thought process on deciding on the cushion layout.  You decided to have a short cushion over the propane locker and longer cushions over the cockpit locker lids. Explain why you did that rather than short over the cockpit locker lids and long over the propane locker.

Mark Powers

Paul Miller

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Feb 12, 2021, 7:46:20 PM2/12/21
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Easy for you to say Mark. It was over a year ago. I’m supposed to remember why I did things? 😂
Plastidip is great stuff once on but it does contain solvents so good ventilation is Important. I have a home made air supply respirator that I used as well.
As for my reasoning on the cushion sizes ...... I suppose the fact that I was making a “bump” cushion for the pilot seat was a factor in deciding that the short piece went over the propane locker. It’s easy to toss aside when accessing the tanks. 
Whatever the reason was I’m happy with the results a year and a half down the road and would do it the same again.

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Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.

Howard C. Wright

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Feb 13, 2021, 2:27:16 PM2/13/21
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Thank you all,

You have given me some great options.  Right now, we're just using float cushions. Hopefully we can get it together to make cushions, as we can't afford the professionally made ones.

Howard Wright
NS26C Merrythought
Friday Harbor, WA
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Richard Lane

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Feb 13, 2021, 2:42:05 PM2/13/21
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I had bump helm and back cushions made in ~2002 and love them. Particularly because of having an inflated dinghy on the house the extra elevation helps. Both these cushions press stud to the propane locker lid and transom respectively.
Dick Lane
NS26c #35 Swoose
Port Townsend

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 12, 2021, at 4:46 PM, Paul Miller <sandpip...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Paul Miller

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Feb 13, 2021, 2:56:30 PM2/13/21
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Dick, adding a bit of back cushioning is a great idea. I may steal it. 😉
One of the unexpected bonuses from the Plastidip is that it is really sticky in terms of traction on the gelcoat in the cockpit. I can sit on the corner of my bump cushion at 20 degrees and it never moves. My propane locker hinges at the back so snaps would be a pain.

Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Feb 13, 2021, 3:44:17 PM2/13/21
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Paul's respirator system delivers fresh air from outside the shop to a full face mask. This provides positive ventilation and does not allow shop air to enter the mask.  It does not rely on a perfect seal to protect you. Plastidip  particles drying on the liners of your lungs would be a bad thing.

Paul's recollection of why he made his choices are consistent with my recollection of our discussions.

Mark Powers

Paul Miller

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Feb 13, 2021, 4:00:58 PM2/13/21
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Mark is right about the air supply but it’s not one of the expensive ones with the filters and coolers to re-condition compressor air. It’s a bathroom fan. I don’t smell oil, I smell flowers.

20180420_141317.jpg
20180420_130055.jpg

Richard Lane

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Feb 13, 2021, 4:28:56 PM2/13/21
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Paul,  my helm back cushion is almost full transom width though the press fasteners are more tightly grouped than those on the bump cushion. When this snowstorm abates, I’ll install them and post a photo.
Dick Lane
NS26c #35 Swoose
Port Townsend


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On Feb 13, 2021, at 11:56 AM, Paul Miller <sandpip...@gmail.com> wrote:



Mike Parfett

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Feb 14, 2021, 10:42:59 PM2/14/21
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Howard,

I just ordered cushion foam/fabric for my NS30.  Foam Factory (https://www.foambymail.com/) has free shipping in the U.S., and reasonable shipping rates to Canada. I am using Dri-Fast open cell foam for the port and starboard cushions, but they have a good selection of closed cell foam under the Commercial menu item.

Paul's bump cushion sounds like a great idea, am now thinking that I should add that to my project in a firm closed cell foam.

Mike Parfett
NS30C #26
Port Moody, BC

Richard Lane

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Feb 14, 2021, 11:37:54 PM2/14/21
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I found that an electric carving knife that has differetially reciprocating blades to be the perfect tool for shaping foam.
Dick Lane
Ns26c Swoose
Port Townsend

Sent by Richard Lane 

On Feb 14, 2021, at 7:43 PM, Mike Parfett <mike.p...@gmail.com> wrote:


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