DIY Sailboat Interior Cushions - Part 1 - Planning

Our salon cushions and upholstery are gross.  They are ugly, old, no longer very supportive, have lost their shape, are thread-barren, filthy, and smell like mold.  I decided to give our salon a major face-lift and replace and reupholster our cushions.

Our GROSS old cushion and upholstery

 I have never done any upholstery work, and had very limited experience sewing.  Since sewing scrunchies in 8th grade home economics class over 20 years ago, I just recently got back into sewing so I could save money and do lots of projects aboard our sailboat.  

I purchased a LSZ-1 sewing machine from Sailrite a few months ago and have completed a couple of projects using my Sunbrella Marine Fabric in Forest Green from Sailrite including a generator cover, a helm cover, a splash guard for the aft companion way, lee cloths, and a sail bag.

My Sailrite LSZ-1 Walking Foot Sewing Machine

The generator cover I made

I made a helm cover

I made a splash guard for our aft companion way

The sail bag I made for our mainsail

 Realizing that I had zero knowledge about how to do a new cushion and upholstery project, I began by reading, researching, and watching videos.  I have included links to the most helpful information I found.  Not surprisingly, I watched lots and lots of Sailrite instructional videos.  They have a ton of them on all sorts of sewing projects, and I don't think I would have the courage or skills to do any sewing projects without them!  

Cushion Foam: Which Type Should I Use for My Boat or Home? 

  Eisenberg Upholstery: Understanding foam density & firmness  

Carrs Corner: A complete education about cushion foam

It is very important to understand some foam terminology before making your decision on which foam to use for your project.  It may seem overwhelming at first, but soon you will understand what all of this means and be able to choose your ideal foam.

Closed cell foam - Each individual cell is closed off from the others, meaning that water cannot penetrate the foam.  This foam floats, typically pretty hard, and is recommended for boat cockpits.  It is typically more expensive than open cell foam because of its higher density.

Open cell foam - Each cell is open, and moisture can penetrate it and potentially be trapped in it.  It is softer than closed cell foam, and recommended for use inside where it will not be exposed to much moisture.  It can, however, be covered with a moisture barrier to help with potential moisture related problems such as mold, mildew, and bacteria.

 

Biocide - a treatment added to some foams in the manufacturing process to prevent mold and mildew.

Dry fast foam - It's an open cell foam with its cell walls removed.  It is extremely porous, so water can run right through it rather than be absorbed into it.  It is significantly more expensive than regular open cell foam.  Good for outdoor applications, or places where it is likely to get wet.

Foam density - Pounds polyurethane per cubic foot.  Higher density foam is considered higher quality and will typically last longer than lower density foams.

Indentation Load Deflection - The force in pounds required to compress the foam by 25%.  The higher the ILD number, the firmer the foam.  The lower the ILD number, the squishier the foam.

Memory Foam - A polyurethane foam with added chemicals to increase its viscosity and density.  It conforms to the body and reacts to body heat, helping to warm you.  Not recommended in hot environments.

After my research I decided that I wanted an open cell 5" foam with a density over 2.3 lbs, an ILD rating of 35-50 lbs, and a long life.  I also decided that DryFast foam would not be necessary, since it would be used inside and it would not be exposed to water.  Some articles I read recommended more firm foam for the seat cushions than the backs, but I wanted the same foam for both the seats and seat backs because my settee converts to a bed.  It would not be comfortable for sleeping if the cushions were not all uniform.

I really wanted to buy my foam from Sailrite because I have benefited so much from their products and instructional videos, but unfortunately they didn't offer foam in the sizes, density, and ILD rating that I was looking for.

After searching all over the internet and comparing prices and quality, I decided to order foam from the Foam Factory.  Tiffany was the sales rep who helped me.  She was very kind and tolerant of my numerous questions, the headache of figuring out shipping to the Virgin Islands, and she even advised me on which foam I should get.

  

 I originally picked out the 5" LuxHQ foam.  It has an ILD rating of 50, and Tiffany warned me that this is very firm, almost like sitting on the ground.  Yikes!  I don't want that!  So I picked out the HD36 high quality foam instead.  It has an ILD rating of 35, so it would feel more comfortable.

The prices I found on their website were significantly better than anything else I was able to find online.  It was $205.99/sheet.  The foam density of 2.8lbs/cubic ft was in the range I was looking for (2.3lbs/cubic feet or higher). The Indentation Load Deflection (35 lbs) was in my desired range.  The foam comes in big sheets (82" x 76") so I won't need to puzzle piece my cushions together and can have some long cushions.  And it's rated to have a typical life of 12-18 years.

After I figured out what foam I would use, it was time to do some research on fabric.  I've included links to the most helpful videos and articles that I found.

Finding the Right Fabric 

Understanding Upholstery Fabric 

Sunbrella Fabric History

Sunbrella Fabric Explained

More about Sunbrella 

I originally decided to go with Sunbrella Upholstery Fabric in Macaw green. 

  

But after some more consideration, I changed my mind and decided to go with Sunbrella Upholstery Fabric in Dupione Paradise because it has more of a texture to it and I think it would look more classy and not show stains as well. 

Now that I knew what foam and fabric I wanted to buy, it was time to figure out how much of it I should order.  I found a video that helped me take measurements.

HOW TO MEASURE A SOFA CUSHION

I found a website with a great calculator to help you figure out how lay out your cuts to get the right size pieces with minimal waste.  You just input the dimensions of your starting piece, input the dimensions of your individual pieces, and then it lays it all out for you in the best way.

OPTIMALON CUT CALCULATOR

I was wondering if I would be able to cut the foam myself, or if I would need to get it custom cut (for a significant increase in price).  I found a great Sailrite video showing how easy it is to cut foam yourself using an electric kitchen knife, purchased from any store selling kitchen products for around $15. 

 

I was curious how you get the foam into the fabric, and I found this Sailrite video:

 To figure out how much fabric I would need to purchase, and later, to figure out how I should cut it, I used Sailrite's handy FABRIC CALCULATOR

I decided to buy Sailrite's Edge Hotknife Package to make my life much easier, and to prevent unraveling of the edges of my fabric over time. 

 

I also decided to add polyester batting to my cushions so they would be more comfortable and less boxy.  I took measurements and estimated I'd need 13 yards.

I decided to get cushion wrap silk film to use as a moisture barrier around my cushions, to prevent mold and mildew.

 

I plan to use a zipper on one of the edges of each cushion, so I measured and estimated that I'd need around 50 feet for my cushions and some throw pillows.  I decided to go with YKK® Zipper #5 Vislon® Continuous White because it wouldn't corrode and #5 is a good size for cushions.  I also ordered 20 YKK® Slider #5 Vislon® White Plastic Single Non-Locking Pulls.

I decided that I wanted to have piping around the perimeter of my cushions to give them more of a professional look.  You can buy pre-made piping in a limited number of colors and styles, but it is not cheap.  I decided to make my own piping, using Sailrite's 5/32" foam piping and a slightly different but coordinating fabric, Sunbrella Canvas Parrot Upholstery Fabric.  I found a photo on Amazon of a throw pillow that was upholstered in Dupione Paradise fabric with Parrot piping, and was convinced that these two fabrics would be a great combination for my cushions.

I was so excited to have found the foam and fabric I wanted, but living in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands poses a problem for shipping.

I got a shipping estimate for foam from The Foam Factory.  I wanted to order 2 sheets of 5" LuxHQ foam, but they cannot ship the 5" foam to the Virgin Islands.  Instead I could order 2 sheets of 2" foam and 2 sheets of 3" foam and glue them together.  I figured I could do that, but my eyes about popped out of my head when I saw the shipping cost estimate! 

 

2 Sheets of 2” x 80” x 76”= $ 84.99 (each) =$169.98  

                2 Boxes 24Lbs = $90.00 (each) =$180.00        

2 Sheets of 3” x 80 “ x 76” = $ 125.99 (each)= $251.98

                2 Boxes 34Lbs = $100.00 (each) = $200.00

Grand total for the foam plus shipping = $801.96 ...YIKES!!!  The shipping cost was almost as much as the cost of the foam!

I checked into alternatives, like taking advantage of their free shipping within continental US and shipping through a freight company based out of Florida.  I found out it would save me A LOT of money if I went through a freight shipping company, and I could order the 5" foam that I wanted after all.  Here are the quotes I got from a couple of different shipping companies that service St. Thomas for the following shipping dimensions: 

2 boxes - 55 lbs, 34"x21"x21"

SHIPPING COMPANIES: 

Caribbean Trans (340) 201-4668

Cost: $75 + $45 Maritime fee (bill lading fee) =  $120 TOTAL

Tropical Shipping (340) 776-8767

Cost: $78 TOTAL

St. Thomas Cargo  (340) 776-8660

Representative: Tracy Brian x100

Under 10 cubic feet Cost $20 + Insurance $10 minimum

Under 20 cubic feet Cost: $40 + Insurance $10 minimum

Over 20 cubic feet $3.95 cubic foot + $35 documentation + insurance $20 minimum 

Cost: $50 TOTAL

International Logistics Solutions  (340) 244 0519

Less than 6 cubic - $25

Less than 11 cubic feet - $45

Less than 21 cubic feet - $75

Cost: $75 TOTAL

All of the companies I contacted quoted me much better prices than shipping directly from the seller to St. Thomas.  However, St. Thomas Cargo won my business.  They had the best prices and most clear and simple shipping instructions of all of their competitors.  They can even consolidate your packages from multiple shipments.  Cargo must arrive to warehouse by noon on Wednesday to make their Thursday sail.  Cargo arrives to St. Thomas on Sunday.  They unload cargo Monday Morning.  Their motto is: "Shipping is as easy as 1-2-3!"

I managed to save a lot of money by shipping my foam through ST. THOMAS CARGO instead of using standard shipping.   

Foam Original Shipping Quote: $380.00

Cost to ship to Florida + Cargo Ship to St. Thomas: FREE + $50 (including insurance)

Money saved: $330.00

Sailrite Original Shipping Quote: $120.00

Cost to ship to Florida + Cargo Ship to St. Thomas: $31.37

Money saved: $88.63

TOTAL MONEY SAVED: $418.63

I'm sure budget is a big deal for many liveaboard sailors.  To give you an idea of how much everything cost me for this project, my foam order was $411.98, my Sailrite order was $685.29, shipping via St. Thomas cargo should be $50, and the electric kitchen knife cost me $12.  

My grand total for this project was $1159.27.  I should mention that this amount also includes some extra things from Sailrite, including extra fabric to make throw pillows, extra bobbins, extra V69 thread, extra #16 needles, and an extra soapstone marking pencil. 

 I am excitedly awaiting the shipment of my materials so I can get started on this project!  I'm really hoping my measurements and estimates were right, and that the foam and fabric are what I expect!  I will blog again once the project is complete!!!

A NEAR CAT-ASTROPHY

Yesterday started off pretty mundane.  The only thing different about today was that Skeeter didn't have his usual cup (or two) of coffee first thing in the morning, because we didn't have any propane.  

This guy NEEDS his coffee

We locked up the boat, dinghied over to the marina, and went for a morning run.  Afterwards, we picked up our recently filled propane tank from the marina and stopped back by the boat to drop it off.  Then we headed out to Ace Hardware and Budget Marine to pick up some items needed for our ongoing boat projects.  

Redoing the cockpit benches, one of our ongoing projects

When we got back to the boat I looked for Momo, our 15lb orange feline fur baby, as I always do.  First I checked in the forward head (bathroom), where he likes to lay on the floor during the hot day, because he gets a cool breeze coming up through the grated floor from the bilge.  Not there.  

 

Momo's favorite place to sleep on hot days

Next, I checked back in our cabin in his second favorite place, next to our bed.  Not there.  Finally, I checked in the chain locker (all the way forward, where the anchor chain lives).  Not there, either.  After walking up and down the boat checking the obvious places three times, I told Skeeter that I couldn't find him.  We figured he was hiding out in a more creative spot, as he had numerous times before. 

Once he got into the nook behind the couch cushion without moving the cushion

Whenever he discovers a new hole he needs to check it out

We checked everywhere we thought he could possible be, calling out his name.  "Momo!  Momo!"  We even tried to bribe him out of hiding with his favorite treats, Greenies.  We opened every cabinet and closet, checked in the storage spaces behind the couch cushions, under the floor boards, in the engine room, and behind the stove. We even blindly reached into deep dark holes that we couldn't see into, which is something I'm normally way too squeamish to do.  

Last scare, we found him deep in the tiny cockpit nook

We checked outside too, in the off chance that he sneaked out when we dropped off the propane tank...in the cockpit, on top of the bimini (cockpit shade cover), in the deep cubby holes in the cockpit (he was in there my last "where is Momo" panic attack), inside of the sail bags, along the rails, under the paddle boards...  

Now I was losing my calm and starting to freak out a little bit.  I remembered that a few weeks ago one of our smoke detectors went off and he came running to us to see what was going on, so I tried setting off the smoke alarm to draw him out.  Nothing.  By now we were both extremely worried, and I was on the brink of hysterics.  He's nowhere to be found.  We'd checked everywhere.  How could a 15lb cat just disappear?  

 

How could a cat this size just disappear?

Momo is a big boy

Oh shit...  What if he sneaked outside when we stopped home to drop off the propane and he fell in the water?  But he doesn't like being outside very much during the day because the sun is too hot.  And he hasn't fallen overboard since we started cruising.  But what if he got a little too close to the edge to see a fish flopping or tried to catch a bird and fell overboard?  Probably not, he's too smart to have done that.  Also, we have a thick rope hanging over the back of the boat to help him climb back aboard if he did fall in.  But we hadn't made him do drills and climb up it to be sure he'd know how.  What if he got swept down current and missed the rope?  We didn't want to believe he'd fallen overboard, but it seemed to be the only explanation.  

He does like to hang over the edge to watch fish

We got into the dinghy to motor around and look for him.  Our first hope was that we'd find him aboard someone else's boat.  Maybe if he couldn't get back aboard our boat he would have managed getting on someone else's.  Like a crazy lady, I called out for him again and again between sobs.  Even though we didn't want to imagine Momo could be there, we decided it would be smart to check along the down current coastline, about 250 meters away.  If we found him, we were hoping to find a wet and tired meowing fur ball.  It was impossible not to imagine our fur baby dead and bloated on the rocks, even though we tried to remain positive.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, we didn't know yet) we didn't find him on the shoreline.  

 

The boats between us and the shoreline

We zigzagged from the coastline toward our boat and asked our neighboring boats at anchor if they had seen anything.  "Have you seen a big orange cat swimming by?  We think he may have fallen overboard!"  It seemed an odd question, but I wasn't about to let embarrassment stop us from finding him.  

When he was new to boat life he did fall overboard

A very unhappy wet Momo

There was a man on board the first boat we approached.  He looked at us very confusedly when we asked the question.  I noticed an Argentinian flag on his boat, so I asked him in Spanish.  Okay, now he understood.  Knowing Spanish has come in handy in the most unexpected times. 

Argentina

The next boat was a French woman.  Luckily she understood English well enough, because I wasn't sure if my explanation would have been comprehensible with my limited French.  She was very nice, and seemed very concerned.  She said she'd call us on the VHF radio if she saw anything.  

France

Next we approached a small sailboat with a German flag.  We saw a dinghy there, so we knew someone was home.  We called out, and a sleepy German man came up from down below.  We felt bad for waking him up, but he was very nice about it.  He said "Cats are very good swimmers, they hate the water!" and gave us hope that our Momo could still be alive if he fell in the water.  He also agreed to let us know over the VHF if he saw anything.

Germany

We were exhausted from the searching for him, mostly from the emotional drain.  We were also probably pretty dehydrated from being out in the hot Grenadian sun, and also realized that we hadn't eaten anything yet, and it was already 2:30pm.  But who could eat at a time like this?  We headed back to the boat, heartbroken.  

We couldn't help but search every nook and cranny again.  I was balling, and told Skeeter to make a general announcement over the VHF radio to everyone in Prickly Bay to look out for Momo.  Just before Skeeter's finger pressed the transmit button on the VHF radio, I opened a cabinet that I realized I hadn't yet checked.  "I found him!," I exclaimed.  

There he was, content as can be

Skeeter came running over to see, and we both collapsed to the floor.  A mix of emotions flooded both of us.  Momo crawled out, stretched from his long nap, and looked at us like, "Hi guys.  What's all the commotion about?"  I was laughing and crying at the same time, and Skeeter was laughing and at the brink of tears.  "How the hell did he manage to lock himself in there!?," I asked.  "How did he manage to close the door?"  

Skeeter suddenly got a sheepish look on his face.  Then he reluctantly confessed to me that he had been in that cabinet for a crescent wrench when we had stopped home earlier to drop off the propane.  I had no idea Skeeter had already hooked up our propane bottle and been in there for a tool.  If I had known, it would have been one of the first places I checked.  Momo must have crawled in there while Skeeter was hooking up the propane bottle, put away the tool without looking, and locked Momo in there.  I scolded both Momo and Skeeter while laughing and crying.  "Bad boys!  You're both grounded," I joked.  

I can't believe Momo spent over 4 hours locked in that cabinet, completely content and as quiet as a church mouse.  And worst of all, he didn't respond to our frantic calling of his name, the bribery of his favorite treat (Greenies), or even the smoke alarm.  Bad kitty!  And bad Skeeter!  We spent the next hour cuddling with and petting our little turd-brain, as he purred happily. 

The big lessons learned here today are, 1. Make sure Skeeter gets his coffee every morning, 2. If Momo is missing, retrace your footsteps to figure out where you may have locked him in, 3. Make sure you have looked literally everywhere before panicking, 4. Don't expect the little rascal to respond when you call out his name or offer treats when he's in his happy nook...he is a cat after all.