premade 26X cushion covers

[Starscream]

Paul I...ignore this post, it's about making your own stuff again

For us Canadians, Sailrite is a little on the expensive side after exchange rates, taxes, shipping and duties. I happened upon this website after some searching:

https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/

which looks kind of like a Canadian equivalent to Sailrite. I ordered a few yards of navy blue sunbrella and some edging to help integrate my solar project into my bimini top, and they were fast, professional, and the roll came well wrapped and protected.

I have a $200 "heavy duty" Singer sewing machine from Costco, and it's kind of OK for Sunbrella. The UV thread has to be wrapped really, really tight on the bobbin and backing up without a jam is about a 50/50 proposition. If I get any better at using it I'll give cockpit cushions a try, because my originals have seen better days. The zippers aren't watertight at all, and if the foam ever gets wet it's a freakin' nightmare to get it dry again.

[paul I]

Paul I...ignore this post, it's about making your own stuff again

For us Canadians, Sailrite is a little on the expensive side after exchange rates, taxes, shipping and duties. I happened upon this website after some searching:

https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/

which looks kind of like a Canadian equivalent to Sailrite. I ordered a few yards of navy blue sunbrella and some edging to help integrate my solar project into my bimini top, and they were fast, professional, and the roll came well wrapped and protected.

I have a $200 "heavy duty" Singer sewing machine from Costco, and it's kind of OK for Sunbrella. The UV thread has to be wrapped really, really tight on the bobbin and backing up without a jam is about a 50/50 proposition. If I get any better at using it I'll give cockpit cushions a try, because my originals have seen better days. The zippers aren't watertight at all, and if the foam ever gets wet it's a freakin' nightmare to get it dry again.

Its not like I haven't tried... I have what is probably the same "heavy duty" Singer machine. The sewing thing just isn't for me. I don't have the patience or the ability to keep a steady, straight line of stitch.

I don't think the zippers or the seams are water tight on mine at all, and in spite of sealing the foam in large contractors plastic bags every season, within two weeks, the foam is saturated. To dry it you have to remove it, wring it out, and let it sit in a dry place for several days. I also think it happens due to a sucking action when they are sat on. You sit, the foam expels air and compresses. You stand, the foam expands and sucks whatever water is near to it. At the start of the season a cushion weighs 12 lbs or so. By the end its 25 lbs.

I am looking into Sunsure cushions from the Macgregor Owners site and C-cushions. I'm hoping to buy one or the other in the next week or so. I have contacted the Macgregor Owners people to see if I can get a set of replacement backrests made out of Sunsure as well as the cushions (any of you have the backrests too?). No reply thus far.
https://shop.macgregorowners.com/cu/det ... .php?53944

And I'm not doing much better with C-cushions either. I'm not even sure they have the correct pattern.

For the C-cushions route, they offer the following:

26X 2005
26X Backrest
26X water ballast
Macgregor 1986

All are 3 piece sets, but hardly any of them make sense.

26X 2005: 26X’s weren’t made in 2005. They had already changed to model 26M. They don't have a choice for the 26M at all.
26X Backrest: I assume these are backrests for the seats? No mention of how thick or how they attach. Even after asking about it.
26X water ballast: all 26X and 26M models are water ballast boats. This doesn’t differentiate anything.
Macgregor 1986: wasn't the only MacGregor 26’ boat in 1986 the 26D?

I posed all this to the C-cushions people and they responded with a drawing that is very close to the measurements of the old cushions, so we may be close to sorting that out.

This whole replacement cushion thing is getting much harder than I thought. I'm leaning toward the Sunsure stuff. The fabric just sounds like its extremely durable.

[Marcus Taylor]

Does anyone know where to get new cockpit seating if you have no cussions to start with blue water yachtes want $900 pluss delivery and C&J in England want £799 plus VAT making it even more expensive i want both the seat cussions and the side cusions anyone able to help me out i would really be greatful as dont want to be bouncing on the hard seats as i am disabled hence the reason i bought this boat it is perfect for disabled people with the way it is set out and how everything other than dropping the anchor [once the mast is riased for the season] which my wife will do dont want ot sit on a pillow as she sugested would prefer the proper seating cussions! are the prices ive been quoted reasonalble? as both still dont have side cussions.
Many thanks
Marcus

[socalmacer]

As a 26X owner myself, I faced the same issue of finding replacement cushions for my 1996 26X (original owner). I am also the do it yourself kind of person so that was always an option. Long story short, after adding up all the costs for both interior cushions, cockpit cushions, sail repair and trailer tow strap replacement; I decided to replace the cushions myself. I purchased an industrial sewing machine design for marine/sailing applications. Fast forward, I have now replaced all my sailboat cushions, fixed the sails and tow strap and in addition have made custom straps for lowering the rigging and trailering my 26X (a huge time saver). In addition, I've used this same sewing machine to re-upholster over a dozen chairs around the house for both interior and exterior (marine) use.

Anyway, the reason for the post is things have gotten slow at work (my day job) so am offering other Mac 26X owners replacement cushions. I can also do 26M owners cushion replacements as a neighbor owns this boat and would be able to get the pattern for these cushions as well. Unlike others, I can offer the 26X back cushions if desired. Anyway, please contact me and we can discuss pricing and other details. Thanks all!

[kmclemore]

Anyway, the reason for the post is things have gotten slow at work (my day job) so am offering other Mac 26X owners replacement cushions. I can also do 26M owners cushion replacements as a neighbor owns this boat and would be able to get the pattern for these cushions as well. Unlike others, I can offer the 26X back cushions if desired. Anyway, please contact me and we can discuss pricing and other details. Thanks all!

WOW. Nice. If i didn't already have cushions I'd be taking you up on it. I'm certain there are a lot of folks who may need them. You might want to start a new thread with your offer, some basic prices, and some photos of the ones you've already made. That way the post won't get lost.

[pitchpolehobie]

Pm sent!

[NiceAft]

I want to expand on what I posted on February 23.

I did not like the cushions which came with our .
I taped together several brown paper supermarket bags which I had cut into sheets of paper. I laid them out on the cockpit seating (sans the cushions) and traced the outline of port and starboard seating areas. After cutting out the pattern, I took them to an upholsterer and he gave me an estimate of how much fabric was needed to make box cushions. I purchased from Sunbrella the amount needed. He made me welted box seat cushions. Expensive,yes, but those black Sunbrella cushions have lasted twenty years. They still look stellar. In the long run, they are cheap. One other thing. Because Sunbrella is so water resistant, I used closed cell foam for the cushions. It is firmer than open cell foam and far more comfortable. That fabric just does not wear down. No replacements ever needed.

[Russ]

I taped together several brown paper supermarket bags which I had cut into sheets of paper. I laid them out on the cockpit seating (sans the cushions) and traced the outline of port and starboard seating areas.

Did your new cushions fit better than factory as you made your own custom pattern?

I simply used the old cushions as a pattern and took them to an upholsterer to remake them.

I also use Sunbrella material as that stuff is amazing. AS mentioned, it doesn't fade ever and holds up very well to wear.

As I understand it, closed cell is what those square throwable floatation cushions are made of and my bottom doesn't like that firm.

I bought some open cell "Dry Fast" foam from Sailrite. I believe this is the stuff outdoor cushions are made of as it doesn't sponge water but rather allows it to dain completely. Honestly, I've never let my cockpit cushions out in the rain to test this. I also use slightly thicker foam because the factory foam I would bottom out.

https://www.sailrite.com/CushionRite-Dr ... oam-Medium

[NiceAft]

Did your new cushions fit better than factory as you made your own custom pattern?

They contour perfectly to to cockpit.

I also use slightly thicker foam because the factory foam I would bottom out.

Being denser, the closed cell does not need compensation. I also made long, knife edge back cushions for the cockpit.

[Russ]

Being denser, the closed cell does not need compensation. I also made long, knife edge back cushions for the cockpit.

Envious. I'd love back cushions.

I assume they are thinner foam.

[NiceAft]

Yes.

[chadwiseman]

Email address?

[pitchpolehobie]

Email address?

jim at sailboatmail d0t c0m

[dlandersson]

I messaged you

Anyway, the reason for the post is things have gotten slow at work (my day job) so am offering other Mac 26X owners replacement cushions. I

[NiceAft]

I thought that if someone is interested in new cushions, don’t limit your thinking to just the seats.

Nice Aft needs a spring cleaning when the tarp comes off, but I brought out my cushions to show how the back cushions are a nice addition. The captain’s seat also.




Those cushions are twenty years old. Sunbrella holds up terrifically. Even with the black, the seats are comfortable on hot, sunny days.