Interior fabrics

[Bob Thompson]

     First time starting a discussion so here goes. About to get the paint job finished and will start on the interior of my redo of a Gulfstar 41 and I'm interested in anyones opinion on fabrics,pillows for the bed ,bedding ,and other materials. I know natural fabrics are not the best,and I hate vinyl for seats. Any thoughts that have worked or not worked would be appreciated,thanks Bob.

[LOLA]

My interior seat frabric was dated, but in good shape. I just got t throws, can be washed easily.

For the berths, Im Thinking sleeping bags, or just reg bedding.

[Bob Thompson]

Thanks Lola, I would also like to know what the bottom fabric is on the seat cushions for boats; fabrics,
vinyl, or mesh so they can breath?

[___/)ances With Sails]

I heard about Sunbrella's interior fabric. I went that route w/ mesh backing and splurged for new foam. It is very soft and comfortable. Not th slightest of irratations. Ive experienced condensation under th cushions, as everyone else. The mesh backing does very little to eliminate it, but it is better than th old vinyl backed I had. I prob should invest in the tiles that others are using under their cushions to increase ventaltion. Sucks havin to take th time to prop th cushions up to dry out every time i wake up -and I dont even like to make my bed.

[Bob Thompson]

What was the Sunbrella made of and what type of tile were you talking about for the moisture barrier,thanks.

[___/)ances With Sails]

Someone here has mentioned 1'x1' tiles like ye find in a bath house or th cockpit, to drain off water, they cut those to put under th cushion. I havent broke down and bought any yet to testify there effectiveness. hmmm, dont remember what th interior sunbrella fabric is, but told i can take th cushion out and hose em off if wanted to...not sure i would soak a foam cushion though. It is nice stuff.

[LOLA]

gosh I don't have dampness under cushions...they are a woven rubber fabric type on the underside.. Never have water in bilge either...was told i have a dry boat?

[___/)ances With Sails]

LOLA, ye gotta stay on th boat long enough to sweat. lol, i wake up and lift my cushion and th moisture has drained thru th foam and th mesh. Ive placed a wool 'navy' blanket under th cushion to help absorption,,,and help keep me warm asleep when cold.

[John Shasteen]

When we re-did all the cushions on Paloma, we looked at all the marine stuff and it was way too expensive, so we went to an Army Navy store that had a variety of foam and had them cut new foam for all cushions (using the old foam as the basis for the outline, but not the thickness. We made the v-berth foam four inches of closed cell foam and two inches of memory foam - just like your mattress at home.
Then we took the foam to an upholstery shop and had them make covers from a heavy fabric (something you'd put on a family room couch if you had small kids). They put that on the top and sides and used a heavy vinyl for the bottom. Heavy plastic zippers around two sides to make the covers easy to remove. Then we scotch guarded the cushions and put them in. That was about 10 years ago and they still look like new.

[Bob Thompson]

Thank you John, no decisions yet, just gathering info.

[Alain Brauckmann]

we have those white plastic leather version ...
Easy to clean :-)