Best source for interior cushions

[SailAlaska]

I'm looking to replace the interior cushions on my 1989 Hunter 30. Any recommendations for vendors/websites? Thanks.

[Geoff S.]

IMHO, the cheapest way to get exactly what you want is to make your own. Sailrite (Sunbrella, outdoor fabric, marine canvas, portable walking foot sewing machines, webbing, marine fabric, snap fasteners, vinyl fabric, marine fasteners, sunbrella shade, foam) is a one-stop shop for your project. They have material (I've had very good success with sunbrella for upholstery), foam, thread, zippers/snaps and even instructional videos. You most likely don't have to buy one of their hd machines; the wife's Singer can probably handle the job. If nobody is handy this way in your household, cut the foam to size and trot all the stuff in to your local sole-proprietor seamster (check Craigslist, maybe), and you'll still be way ahead on beer money compared to the commercial cushions.

[Pblais]

You can contact any decent upholstery shop and get a first rate job. Making cushions is making cushions. You just need to research the materials. The folks re covering the living room sofa can deal with the problems you will have but they may not know the marine materials that will hold up all that well. Some of the Sunbrella weave patterns are quite rich looking and are not like the cockpit canvas. That would be a poor choice since you can get nice fabrics in that price range that do look first rate. They cost about the same too but might be higher. Expect to pay no less than $30 / yard but they get up over $100 pretty quick. Anything that has "natural fibers" is bad. Check the fabric for "double rub count" to tell how well it will hold up. Recently the high oil prices have driven the foam prices sky high. The foam you have may be possible to enhance or may be shot. The really nice cushions have multiple layers with a top layer of memory foam. There is no reason that you can't get the most comfortable cushion that you have ever sat on.

If you don't know how to sew then buying a Sailright machine is a mistake. It takes skill to do a professional job.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by SailAlaska

I'm looking to replace the interior cushions on my 1989 Hunter 30. Any recommendations for vendors/websites? Thanks.

Yo Sail,

welcome to the forum.

Boat cushions are normally remade by local upholstery specialists (not necessarily marine), as it often difficult to get them from the original maker. Having the local guy do it benefits from him making his own patterns (and thoroughly understanding the shapes involved), and you seeing the actual sample materials and examples of his work.

With a Google search it is possible you might find a remote supplier who will make them to your patterns, and ship them to you. If you are clever with this type of work you might be OK.

best, andy