Anyone Use Bean Bag Chairs in the Cockpit

[oldragbaggers]

A poster on another forum mentioned that they use bean bag chairs covered in marine canvas on board their cruising boat citing all the obvious (duh, why didn't I think of this???) advantages, like conforming to curved, tight, small, irregular spaces so they can basically be used anywhere, inside or out. I looked around online and found a couple of vendors that sell them. I like one in a teardrop shape by E-Searider. I don't think they would be difficult to make though so I can't see paying over $100 for basically a big pillow. It's not hard to make a classic beanbag without a pattern but I would love to find a pattern for that teardrop shape.

Am I the last one to this particular party? Anyone else using beanbags?

[Paul Elliott]

We sometimes use beanbags aboard VALIS during our Hawaii races and returns. They can be quite comfortable and the crew likes them. However, they do get in the way and I like to keep the cockpit clean when things get busy, so I usually end up throwing them through the companionway back into the cabin. When all is calm again the beanbags eventually find their way topside again.

You want to have the beanbags be pretty rugged, since on a boat there are lots of things snag and rip the bag, and you definitely don't want those tiny styrofoam beads getting out!

[Yukon Cornelius]

I once met a guy who sailed in the 2011 Velux 5 Ocean Race (solo, around the world). He said the only piece of furniture in the entire 60 foot boat was a large bean bag, upon which he did all of his sleeping, navigating, and eating.

[Franziska]

I do and they work nicely if you have the space.Just make sure they are waterresistant and do not get really wet.
So far we managed that.

They are great in the pulpit or elsewhere.
Was lucky to get them on a sale for 20€ each matching Lady Rover's hullcolor.

There are some pic on my website.
www.ladyrover.jimdo.com


By the way a spinnaker bag might work just as well..

[oldragbaggers]

That settles it, beanbags it is!! It sounded like a great idea the minute I heard it, but now it is confirmed. I have a good supply of Sunbrella. I just need to find the right pattern.

[a64pilot]

I had them in my fishing / dive boat, they are large and do get in the way.
It was a center console and I put them on top of the T-top and tied them in with Bungee cords to get them out of the way.
Ones I bought were meant for boats and the cover was more of an ultra-leather vinyl, no fabric. These I believe https://www.e-searider.com/
I bought them as white and blue, because that matched the boat. Surprisingly the white never stained. I haven't put them on the sailboat, but probably will.
They do take up an enormous amount of room though, but were completely waterproof so leaving them outside wouldn't be an issue

[dennisjay]

I bought one of the e-searider chairs at the Miami boat show this year, but ended up selling it on eBay. Took up way too much space and just got in the way of things. Storage was a problem as well.

[canyonbat]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

You want to have the beanbags be pretty rugged, since on a boat there are lots of things snag and rip the bag, and you definitely don't want those tiny styrofoam beads getting out!

When I was in college we got in a prank war with the guys on the floor below us. We emptied an entire bean bag into their dorm room. Within 30 minutes those darn styrofoam beads were throughout the entire dorm complex! I suspect they are still finding them in odd nooks and crannies still, almost 40 years later!

[Trim50]

We stack 4 of them in the cockpit during long crossings and sleep on them. Bean Bag Chairs are required software for Pacific crossing.

[FSMike]

I bought a couple of cheap ones from Walmart, figuring if I liked the idea I'd get some good ones when the cheapos wore out.
I like the idea, only flaw in the plan is the cheapos haven't worn out two years later.
Removed some of the pellets so they could fit a bit better in some locations.

[bailsout]

Say no to plastic. Use real beans and eat and toot as you go!

[jreiter190]

Had a $30 one from Wal Mart. Loved it on the fore deck on a mooring. Got wet, dried to the touch on minutes. Blew overboard one day. Someone salvaged it on the shore and is most likely using it today.

[Stephen P]

Essential comfort items and far more useful than stainless steel bow seats on the cat. But best of all fantastic man overboard throw overs to mark their position and aid flotation.

[oldragbaggers]

Originally Posted by Stephen P

Essential comfort items and far more useful than stainless steel bow seats on the cat. But best of all fantastic man overboard throw overs to mark their position and aid flotation.

To that end it might be helpful to cover them in bright yellow. Now they're doing double duty.

[oldragbaggers]

Originally Posted by Trim50

We stack 4 of them in the cockpit during long crossings and sleep on them. Bean Bag Chairs are required software for Pacific crossing.

Holy cow, where do you store 4 bean bag chairs? You must have a big boat!!