How to Make Boat CUSHIONS for your cockpit
May 24, 2024 · 15 min · 1K views
What this video covers
Alex, 34 weeks pregnant and working largely alone, builds cockpit cushions from scratch using one-inch-thick yoga mats as foam inserts instead of custom marine foam, cutting costs while achieving a custom fit.10:43 Sunbrella fabric, bought at a discount in Saint Augustine for a previous boat and never used, forms the top panels; a breathable PVC mesh forms the bottoms to allow moisture to drain and prevent mold.2:05 Alex traces each cushion shape onto the fabric with a white colored pencil, cuts a half-inch seam allowance beyond the traced line, and sews one-inch-wide side bands around the perimeter using UV-resistant thread rated for sun exposure.2:41 The sewing sequence — one pass first, fit-test the yoga mat, then a second reinforcing pass — avoids double-stitching that would need to be removed if the fit is wrong.9:28 Corners are the hardest part; the stiff PVC mesh is significantly harder to sew than the Sunbrella.6:53 Leftover yoga mat scraps are joined with Gorilla Glue fabric adhesive, clamped with improvised weights, and used for a smaller cushion.11:36 A second smaller cushion repurposes a padded blanket covered with $12 of fabric, closed with velcro instead of a zipper to avoid zipper failure.15:27 UV thread and Sunbrella fabric are identified as non-negotiable material choices for cockpit cushion longevity.4:42
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