sbu22
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
- Messages
- 1,253
- Location
- US
- Vessel Name
- Panache
- Vessel Make
- Viking 43 Double Cabin '76
Two years ago, I had new cushions made for the FB and other exterior cushions. The canvass maker used Sunbrella covers, Stay Dri open cell reticulated foam, and Phifertex mesh underlining. The idea is that moisture will drain through the cushion system and and promote fast drying. The foam is even treated with an anti-microbial agent to suppress microorganism growth. He did a first-class job – very nice!
While these are outdoor cushions, my practice is to stow them below when the boat is not in use. The majority of the time they live in the V-berth. If they got wet, I gave them plenty of time and space to thoroughly dry.
The Sunbrella is patterned (tan background with black stripes) and has started to fade – not bad, but noticeable. I guess that’s to be expected over time, but rather disappointing.
Then within a period of the last 4-5 weeks, the foam in the 2 of the cushions “deflated,” for want of a better word. The thickness is maybe 30% of new.
I called the canvass guy and he just groaned. It turns out that the sportfisher guys around here got onto Stay Dri (another brand name is “Dry Fast”) as the latest thing in 2014. I think that’s how I heard about it. My call to him was the 5th or 6th he’d gotten in the last 6 months. He, in turn, contacted his supplier. Their response: “Was it exposed to salt water? Salt water will decompose it. It’s only really intended for fresh water exposure, like on a backyard deck.”
If you’re planning a project like this, you may want to consider my experience. I’m now getting mine “refilled” with regular foam, I guess.
Anyone else have experience with this?
While these are outdoor cushions, my practice is to stow them below when the boat is not in use. The majority of the time they live in the V-berth. If they got wet, I gave them plenty of time and space to thoroughly dry.
The Sunbrella is patterned (tan background with black stripes) and has started to fade – not bad, but noticeable. I guess that’s to be expected over time, but rather disappointing.
Then within a period of the last 4-5 weeks, the foam in the 2 of the cushions “deflated,” for want of a better word. The thickness is maybe 30% of new.
I called the canvass guy and he just groaned. It turns out that the sportfisher guys around here got onto Stay Dri (another brand name is “Dry Fast”) as the latest thing in 2014. I think that’s how I heard about it. My call to him was the 5th or 6th he’d gotten in the last 6 months. He, in turn, contacted his supplier. Their response: “Was it exposed to salt water? Salt water will decompose it. It’s only really intended for fresh water exposure, like on a backyard deck.”
If you’re planning a project like this, you may want to consider my experience. I’m now getting mine “refilled” with regular foam, I guess.
Anyone else have experience with this?
