Bottomsiders Cockpit Cushions

[sailorboy1]

I'm going to have to replace my cockpit cushions soon. Does anyone have experience with the Bottomsiders that are closed neoprene (or something like it) with some type of vinyl coating?

My current cushions are failing at the seam edges plus the cover on one is starting to pull apart (tear) mainly from stepping on it (there is always 1 that gets more traffic). I figure the Bottomsiders would be better for this, but there is probably a downside (beyond the $200) like being more sticky etc due to the vinyl over the "regular" cushions.

[Ocean Girl]

Birdbrain over at another shall remand nameless forum just commented on how lousy they are. Said they crack real easy. I wanted them for RD until I read his review. Did not get justice from the company from what I understand. to read for yourself see the pacific seacraft section at the unnamed SAIL interNET forum.
Am I in trouble?

[Sailmonkey]

I've sat on them......they feel great until you realize your backside is sweating and your legs are stuck to them. Maybe wrapped up in a Mexican blanket.

[Hudson Force]

We like our bottomsiders, but unlike Sailmonkey, we wear pants in the cockpit! (No offense to the avant guarde life of Sailmonkey!) Our Bottomsiders have stood up to everything except our dog who chewed through one to retrieve a dropped treat!

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

We like our bottomsiders, but unlike Sailmonkey, we wear pants in the cockpit! (No offense to the avant guarde life of Sailmonkey!) Our Bottomsiders have stood up to everything except our dog who chewed through one to retrieve a dropped treat!

I will be the first to admit that pants are not always worn on the boat

[Cheechako]

I think they are wonderful, but my experience with them has been in the PNW. In the tropics I could see you sticking to them I suppose. OTOH, easy to wash off etc. They are not as bulky as outdoor cushions seem to be either, and really look nice custom fit in a cockpit. I'd want some kind of UV warranty from them though.

[tybee22]

I have them covered on Sunbrella. No UV and no sticking, pants or no pants.

[Blue Stocking]

In our humidity, 80%+, they grow mold like old bread. Other than that, I've have a good 10 years on mine, no problem.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

......................... they grow mold like old bread............................

'good point! We dry ours and tip them to their vertical edge when not in use.

[sailr69]

Be careful with your finger nails, they are made with self skinning foam. works well but will rupture the skin with pointed objects. I keep a tube of vinyl repair adhesive handy for this. I also repaint mine yearly with vinyl paint. looks new every year.

[Ocean Girl]

How old are the bottomsiders, how much sun do they get yearly ( north/south?)

[jkleins]

We had them from California to the east coast and they were fine for 4 years. Our current boat has had them for 5 years now and they are like new but we store them below when not on the boat. The biggest problem is puncture from our careless dropping of tools or something but we have not seen any wear or cracking

JIm

[nhschneider]

We purchased Bottomsiders too many years ago and initially liked them very much. Perhaps our expectations were too high as we were disappointed that they didn't last longer. We have since had Sunbrella covers made for them (including an additional 'sleeve' for the high wear area) and we're getting, hopefully, a few more years out of them.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[sailorboy1]

so they are only 1.5" thick, are they comfortable enough as this doesn't seem very thick for the application compared to normal cushions

do they stay in place on their own even on the curved helm seat?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Birdbrain over at another shall remand nameless forum just commented on how lousy they are. Said they crack real easy. I wanted them for RD until I read his review. Did not get justice from the company from what I understand. to read for yourself see the pacific seacraft section at the unnamed SAIL interNET forum.
Am I in trouble?

took me a lot of digging to find, but didn't really say anything to use as any type of final decision basis to me