A Resting State of Being...
Loren,
Thanks for the foam tips! I have noticed that my original foam from Ericson is wrapped in some white stuff so I assume that is the dacron you are writing about. It's white, thin and airy.
About the foam now. When I put down the table and make it into a bed the edges of the seat and table stick through making lumps which make the bed uncomfortable to sleep on. I am wondering if you can give me an idea of what is the range of density of foam cushions. The original Ericson density is 1.8 and you got 2.6 so how much more dense and thick can they be?
I asume the denser they are the more they also weigh. Were yours much heavier than the originals?
I have learned more about my boat from the geniuses on these lists than any book or manual I have read. It is the value of this list that makes the Ericson values stay way up.
Thanks,
John
If I uderstood the mini-lecture from the upholsterer that did our work, the number used for density is just the weight per cubic foot. Your cushion guy can probably explain it better. Now that you mention the wrapping, I also remember that our uphosterer told us that this fluffy wrapping is the mark of higher quality and comfort. I have not found this on cushions on "cheaper" production boats, over the years.
No one asked, but for a few more $, the really cool way to do the foam is two layers, glued together. This involves, for example in a 4 inch total, 3" of the stiffer foam for the bottom, and 1" of the less-dense for the top. Said to be the highest on the "sitability" scale.
As to lumpy lines where the welting is under you as you sleep, that might take some re-orientation of the cushion boundaries, and may not be practical. We have almost always slept on a poofy (is that a word?) sleeping bag. We tried sheets and blankets, but without sewing a custom set of sheets it was a hassle keeping them properly tucked in. The wad of blanket at one's feet in the forepeak was never much fun either.
As to the cushion edges, we have little problem because we have a settee interior. All boats with a dinette or offset table that drops down, will, to some degree.
I will never forget one overnight delivery where I spent most of my supposed sleep time trying to get the many pieces of loose-fitting cushion to stay under me on the dropped-down-dinette of a Catalina 30!
Similar "adventures in resting" on several other boats, over the years.
Our boat has a fill piece that fits tightly to make up the small third piece of the forepeak area. The settees are just one long cushion. The aft cabin is two very long pieces that fit tight together -- and luckily the join point is outside the normal resting area for a hip bone.
Now that you mention it, yup, our cushions did indeed gain weight after being re-foamed.
As to "genius," everyone here has something to share based on their own experiences. Remember, to others reading questions, answers, thoughts, and solutions from the real world, YOU are one of those geniuses!
Loren