Cockpit Cushions

[commanderpete]

I've been using cooler top cushions in the cockpit. They're much softer than the throwable cushions. Got them on sale in Boaters World.

I also bought some "J-Back" cushions to go over the coamings.

http://www.ccushions.com/products.htm

We likes our comforts

[tha3rdman]

have you sat on top of the J cushions, I like steering while sitting ontop of the coaming, been tring to figure a more comfortable way to do that.

[commanderpete]

I've popped up there a few times, but I think it might put undue stress on the coamings.

Never can tell where people will sit on my boat

[mbd]

have you sat on top of the J cushions, I like steering while sitting ontop of the coaming, been tring to figure a more comfortable way to do that.

Here's a solution Tim L. saw while he was out cruising...

[mbd]

And his prototype... and the building thereof: Coaming Seats

[tha3rdman]

Thank you, those look like they may be the ticket. just the 1 inch of coaming doesnt ride well on the butt bone.

[dasein668]

Here's a solution Tim L. saw while he was out cruising...

Hey! I took that photo and sent it to Tim! Sheesh... His prototypes were great, though. Everybody loved 'em!

[mbd]

Doh! Beg yer pardon for the misinformation, Nathan. I've been meaning to ask how the coaming seat field tests came out.

[ebb]

The seat prototype (#5) begs the question:
has anybody made a foldup seat that attaches to the outside of the coaming with hinges? The fold down leg could be in a dado grooved into the seat, at least partially so that the unit wouldn't be as bulky.

You wouldn't get the depth of the model shown on an Ariel's ratrher low coamings, but 5 or 6" of ledge would be a big improvement for short time parking. And the seat would always be there. No locker looking, or lanyard needed. Maybe even able to take the seat off easily with takeapart hinges. Anything that folds can be a problem with line and fingers.

FENDER ENDER
An even more casual and, ahh, friendly idea would be to use a fender of the appropriate diameter sitting on the deck along the coaming. Lash it in place with a couple small cleats on the coaming. An inflatable fender would allow micro adjustment of the durometer.
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Taylor Made makes a fender that is slightly concave in the middle of its length. Obviously meant to fit the hull curve. It's not really deflatable but hardness is controlled with a basketball pump.
Freedom Fender FF2685W 26" X 8.5". Might be perfect on a low-coaming Ariel. Wonder how many #s flotation it can support? Bet it would make a real comfy seat. And there it would be when you tie up. Used as a hull protector a shaped fender like this would be less likely to ride up the sides than the regular bottle shaped fenders which bear on the hull with a very small area.
Nope, haven't seen one of these yet, just floating an idea.

[mbd]

It occurs to me that the same prototype above, with minimal modifications, could also serve as an out-of-the-way cockpit end table, if you will. Cocktails on the side, and save the valuable cockpit real estate for feet and knees. Makes more sense for the Ariels than our voluminous counterparts...

[tha3rdman]

It occurs to me that the same prototype above, with minimal modifications, could also serve as an out-of-the-way cockpit end table, if you will. Cocktails on the side, and save the valuable cockpit real estate for feet and knees. Makes more sense for the Ariels than our voluminous counterparts...

Yeah, I see it, cut some holes in that puppy and now it's a seat and a drink holder.

[commanderpete]

Great stuff

Poor Mike's kid is growing up so deprived

[dasein668]

Great stuff

Poor Mike's kid is growing up so deprived

Hehe. I didn't put any padding on the seat, at least!

[mbd]

I'm of the opinion you need to toughen 'em up.