Commander Cushions

[jshisha]

I am looking to have new interior cushions made for FRANCINE commander 131. I was wondering if anyone has a pattern for the cushions and andy idea of what good quality cushions should run.

Thanks

[Commander 147]

unless you don't have them.

As far as cost it is really hard to say because there are so many variables involved. For example the foam if you are replacing it could be open cell (more comfortable) or closed cell (won't absorbe water and moister). The fabric might be vinyl or sunbrella and even in the sunbrella line the cost can be 25 to 30% differant from one fabric to another.

The best thing to do IMHO is to sit down with a cushion supplier and talk through all the options. Make a decision on what is important to you and have them price it that way. Then once you know what you want go to two more cushion suppliers and have them quote the same thing. Then you will know what is reasonable and what isn't.

Your mileage may vary :)

[Lucky Dawg]

Hey Jake,
OK, re your inquiry about my cushions - I just spoke with Debbie at ccushions.com - 800.531.1014 She says she does have the pattern from Lucky Dawg's previous owner's order and to call them and ask for her.
Email me if you have any other questions.
KW

p.s. Apparently PO ordered them in '99. They still look great and have great integrity. A couple places have gotten injured by one sharp object or another, but ccushions sells a patch kit and they're good to go. I probably clean them twice a season with a little soft-scrub and that seems to bring them back to crisp white.

[commander93]

Hi was also looking at replacing the cushions on my Commander as well. Wondering how yours turned out and if you would recommend using ccushions.com. I don't have the originals, but I imagine it couldn't be too different from the ones you had made?

Everything is more expensive locally here (especially if you're an expat) than to have it made and shipped it. Even with the 25% duty on everything that comes in and shipping.

[Lucky Dawg]

Hey 93! Welcome aboard. Always nice to get another Commander in the mix. I'm envious of your sailing grounds. Still pretty chilly in Michigan, but Lucky Dawg is out of storage and getting some deck paint - so we're on the right track.


The cushions came with the boat from the PO. I think they are great. They are circa 1999 and still look great. Per above, CCushions still has the template for a Commander.

Comfortable, firm cushion. On the firmer side, but mooshy would be bad in my book.
Pretty tough. I have a repair kit and that works well. The very few holes they got were from rubbing through the cabin door in and out while laying them out or putting them away. More my error than a quality issue. The "skin" seems beefy. 4 pieces total that match the cockpit seats exactly, and about 1-3/4" thick.
Mine are white. At splash and some midpoint of the season, I clean them with a little bleach-flavored soft scrub and they look good as new. The white obviously doesn't absorb heat - a benefit in your neck of the woods. (Maybe I could do with some black ones!)
They stick together if you stack them for storage (almost like static cling, but a little stickier - kind of like your bare back would stick to an old plastic slip covered sofa!) and so I store them with a piece of terry cloth (towel) between each. Not using the terry doesn't seem to bother them, but I have a sense that they'll age better by doing so.
Not knowing the cost, I can't do a cost / benefit, but we use them every time we sail, so we like them and get lots of use.

Happy to answer any other questions that I didn't think of.

[Ariel 109]

My Ariel came with it's full set of factory cushions complete and their original vinyl slipcovers. They have seen better days. All the price quotes I've gotten for new upholstery are above the price I paid for my boat. So I've felt like an idiot entertaining the fantasy I would one day get them recovered. But I have an inexpensive good solution to the cushion dilemma. The REI camp bed 3.5 self-inflating-pad. Highly recommended and priced around $100.00.

http://www.rei.com/product/778152/rei-camp-bed-35-self-inflating-pad

[commander93]

hahahah Ariel 109 I may end up going that route depending what the quote comes back as. Lucky Dawg thank you for your insight in to the cushions - I'll see what they come back with and if its more than what I paid I'll have to buy my wife a pro sewing machine and get her to do it for me and maybe some others on this forum!