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Author Topic:   Rod holder cushions for 1975 Montauk

gpj posted 05-14-2014 08:43 AM ET (US)
My wife and I are making a set of cushions for our 1975 Montauk. Unfortunately, we have none of the original cushions to use as patterns.
The cooler and RPS cushions turned out well. We are now working on the console front rod holder cushions (I am also making the rod holders). Did the originals have a backing board, or just foam?
Great site! I cannot tell you how much it has helped during the boat's restoration process.
Thanks. Glen
wally910 posted 05-14-2014 06:29 PM ET (US)
Mine, which I believe are original, have a backing board.
Tom W Clark posted 05-14-2014 08:58 PM ET (US)
Yes, they have plywood backing, probably 3/8", though there have been a few variants and different manufacurers of the console rod holder cushions through the years.
gpj posted 05-14-2014 09:04 PM ET (US)
That's great to know, Wally. I was guessing foam only, and cut the fabric accordingly. We were going to begin sewing the vinyl, piping, etc., next Tuesday. As it stands, I still have time to make plywood backing boards.
May I impose with one more question? Can you tell approximately how thick the boards are? I assume they are not a full 3/4".
Thanks again. Glen
gpj posted 05-14-2014 09:06 PM ET (US)
Tom - Just saw your post re. the thickness; thanks. As you all can tell, I have never seen one of these cushions in person before.
Tom W Clark posted 05-14-2014 09:10 PM ET (US)
A Google image search may yield some photos of the console rod holder cushions:
http://www.google.com/search?q=whaler+console+rod+holder+cushion& source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cBN0U7WkFYbsoASk2YHQCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ& biw=1920&bih=1105
gpj posted 05-16-2014 10:20 AM ET (US)
Thanks, Tom. I couldn't find anything showing the backing. I f you come across anything or get a chance to squeeze your own cushions to check the thickness, I 'd be grateful if you let me know.
Glen
PS - Those darned rodholders are proving tricky to build due to the angled notches involved. I may just end up mounting rod holders them on the starboard side of the console, which does not have a fire extinguisher inset (although I had planned to add one)!
dscew posted 05-17-2014 01:30 PM ET (US)
I just squeezed one of mine, it's 1/4 inch thick, probably plywood. Mine are from the 70s, covers have never been off, so they're original.
gpj posted 05-17-2014 10:35 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Dscew, I was about to cut the pieces out of 3/4 in plywood! I think you saved me from a boo boo!
picflight posted 05-24-2014 10:06 PM ET (US)
Post pictures of your cushions when you done, would love to see how they turned out.
gpj posted 05-25-2014 11:46 AM ET (US)
Dear Picflight - I will indeed post photos when complete. We are taking an upholstery class and the Montauk cushions are our project. Two more classes (two weeks) should finish everything up.
If anybody has ever aspired to learning to sew boat cushions (and covers, bimini tops, etc.), taking a class is a good way to go. It gives you access to excellent sewing machines and high quality materials (fabric, foam, thread, zippers, snaps, piping material, etc.). Our prices for materials is significantly less than retail. If you wish to customize the cushions a bit, you have that option. Most importantly, the teacher serves as an expert who can teach you tricks that are not at all intuitive, help you around particularly tight corners, and provide suggestions for fixing those inevitable boo boos!
We have been very pleased with our teacher, Tim. He does commercial/residential/marine upholstery work for the main part of his business. He finds that delicate balance between letting his students learn and preventing them from making expensive mistakes. He is a boater himself, so he understands the need for protection against dampness, mildew, and UV damage. He helps keep your projects moving along in a nice, non-pushy way.
My wife recruited me to cut fabric and foam. Along the way, I learned to sew. Much to my surprise, I found that I have enjoyed myself!
If anybody lives in or about Louisville (Buckner, to be precise) and thinks you might like to take classes with Tim, shoot me an email. I'll forward his contact information.

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Author	Topic: Rod holder cushions for 1975 Montauk
gpj	posted 05-14-2014 08:43 AM ET (US) My wife and I are making a set of cushions for our 1975 Montauk. Unfortunately, we have none of the original cushions to use as patterns. The cooler and RPS cushions turned out well. We are now working on the console front rod holder cushions (I am also making the rod holders). Did the originals have a backing board, or just foam? Great site! I cannot tell you how much it has helped during the boat's restoration process. Thanks. Glen
wally910	posted 05-14-2014 06:29 PM ET (US) Mine, which I believe are original, have a backing board.
Tom W Clark	posted 05-14-2014 08:58 PM ET (US) Yes, they have plywood backing, probably 3/8", though there have been a few variants and different manufacurers of the console rod holder cushions through the years.
gpj	posted 05-14-2014 09:04 PM ET (US) That's great to know, Wally. I was guessing foam only, and cut the fabric accordingly. We were going to begin sewing the vinyl, piping, etc., next Tuesday. As it stands, I still have time to make plywood backing boards. May I impose with one more question? Can you tell approximately how thick the boards are? I assume they are not a full 3/4". Thanks again. Glen
gpj	posted 05-14-2014 09:06 PM ET (US) Tom - Just saw your post re. the thickness; thanks. As you all can tell, I have never seen one of these cushions in person before.
Tom W Clark	posted 05-14-2014 09:10 PM ET (US) A Google image search may yield some photos of the console rod holder cushions: http://www.google.com/search?q=whaler+console+rod+holder+cushion& source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=cBN0U7WkFYbsoASk2YHQCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ& biw=1920&bih=1105
gpj	posted 05-16-2014 10:20 AM ET (US) Thanks, Tom. I couldn't find anything showing the backing. I f you come across anything or get a chance to squeeze your own cushions to check the thickness, I 'd be grateful if you let me know. Glen PS - Those darned rodholders are proving tricky to build due to the angled notches involved. I may just end up mounting rod holders them on the starboard side of the console, which does not have a fire extinguisher inset (although I had planned to add one)!
dscew	posted 05-17-2014 01:30 PM ET (US) I just squeezed one of mine, it's 1/4 inch thick, probably plywood. Mine are from the 70s, covers have never been off, so they're original.
gpj	posted 05-17-2014 10:35 PM ET (US) Thanks, Dscew, I was about to cut the pieces out of 3/4 in plywood! I think you saved me from a boo boo!
picflight	posted 05-24-2014 10:06 PM ET (US) Post pictures of your cushions when you done, would love to see how they turned out.
gpj	posted 05-25-2014 11:46 AM ET (US) Dear Picflight - I will indeed post photos when complete. We are taking an upholstery class and the Montauk cushions are our project. Two more classes (two weeks) should finish everything up. If anybody has ever aspired to learning to sew boat cushions (and covers, bimini tops, etc.), taking a class is a good way to go. It gives you access to excellent sewing machines and high quality materials (fabric, foam, thread, zippers, snaps, piping material, etc.). Our prices for materials is significantly less than retail. If you wish to customize the cushions a bit, you have that option. Most importantly, the teacher serves as an expert who can teach you tricks that are not at all intuitive, help you around particularly tight corners, and provide suggestions for fixing those inevitable boo boos! We have been very pleased with our teacher, Tim. He does commercial/residential/marine upholstery work for the main part of his business. He finds that delicate balance between letting his students learn and preventing them from making expensive mistakes. He is a boater himself, so he understands the need for protection against dampness, mildew, and UV damage. He helps keep your projects moving along in a nice, non-pushy way. My wife recruited me to cut fabric and foam. Along the way, I learned to sew. Much to my surprise, I found that I have enjoyed myself! If anybody lives in or about Louisville (Buckner, to be precise) and thinks you might like to take classes with Tim, shoot me an email. I'll forward his contact information.