Montauk cushion fabrication - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Montauk cushion fabrication

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Montauk cushion fabrication

gpj posted 06-11-2014 06:58 AM ET (US)
I mentioned in an earlier [thread] that my wife and I are refurbishing a 1975 Montauk. One of the most interesting parts of the job has been fabrication of the cushions. My wife and I are taking an upholstery class together and doing the cushions as a (big) project. For the most part, she sews and I cut fabric and foam. Here is the RPS cover and seat bottom:
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0778_zps33964b74.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0803_zpscdfc7b69.jpg
We went with parchment color for the vinyl and black piping. The bottom is 3/4" marine plywood sealed with two coats of 635 epoxy from United Composites. I also used the epoxy to glue down the foam. Last night we installed the cover using stainless steel staples. It turned out nice. I will post a photo later.
Other cushions include the RPS back (this cushion is removable, with a zipper on the bottom):
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0774_zpsbf073d0e.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0775_zpsc64b2445.jpg
and cooler seat top:
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0783_zps6bd2fa6a.jpg
We have also done rod holder cushions (thanks to CW members for some invaluable information on the construction of the original cushions) and cushions for the bow steps. I am considering doing a stern seat as well. I will post more on the rod holders later, and photos of the completed products.
Overall, this has been an interesting project, and a good way to get my wife's buy-in on the boat! If anybody has questions about the materials/processes used, let me know.

Binkster posted 06-11-2014 07:50 AM ET (US)
Your work looks very professional, what kind of sewing machine are you using?
rich
gpj posted 06-11-2014 08:43 AM ET (US)
Thank you for the compliment, Rich. We are working slowly and carefully. We are also adding small touches (double-stitching in high stress areas, extra Dacron padding to prevent seam lines from showing through, internal Daron slipcases for the foam, high quality vinyl, etc.) that probably don't show up on mass produced cushions.
The sewing machine is at the upholstery shop where we are taking the classes. I have used it. It is powerful and capable of incredibly fast speeds or very slow stich-by-stich operation (useful for turning corners). I will check on the model at our next class (next Tuesday). Apparently, machines are not all that expensive. The owner of the shop said he could order one like his for us for about $400.
Binkster posted 06-11-2014 04:50 PM ET (US)
Do I see a part time business brewing here? I lived in Ft. Myers for many years, and my wife made the bimini tops for every boat we owned. I remember she made some cushions too. She liked to sew and was very good at it but never had the right sewing machine. She would have liked to go into that business, but was very busy in her beauty shop, and never had the nerve to switch over.
rich
gpj posted 06-11-2014 08:22 PM ET (US)
Hi Rich,
At the rate we work, it would be VERY difficult to break even on a business, let alone make a profit! Still, this project has been a lot of fun. I will take a special satisfaction in parking my bottom on cushions we made ourselves. In fact, I like the idea of paying homage to outstanding craftsmen and engineers by continuing to use the extraordinary products they produced. My daily driver is a 1989 Volvo 240 and I mow our yard with a 1967 IH Cub Cadet, to cite just two examples. I perform all the repairs and maintenance on both machines, up to and including engine rebuilds. Redoing the Montauk and eventually USING it is consistent with that philosophy.
I will tell my wife that thanks to Rich of ContinuousWave, her next sewing project is a bimini top for the Montauk! The boat certainly needs a top. When finished it will be home ported on North Captiva and spend most of its time in and around your old stomping grounds, Pine Island Sound. Over the past few months I have been keeping an eye on Craigslist for an inexpensive frame.
Speaking of sewing machines, I was surprised at how reasonable the price seemed to be. These are supposedly good quality, Japanese made machines. It may be worth buying one. In addition to a bimini, the boat also needs a cover, the North Cap house could use some new some drapes, I could use a nice custom hammock, and I have always wanted to try a sail with my kayak! We could probably amortize the $400 cost pretty quickly!
Here are some other parts I have made from scratch for the Montauk (bow hatch cover and rod holders):
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0795_zps5e2ac89c.jpg
http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0785_zpsd5bb15b4.jpg
GPJ
Binkster posted 06-12-2014 12:57 PM ET (US)
I don't think there is anything more satisfying in life than building stuff. Experience will make you as good as the professional, or become a professional. Anyone can write a check and have things built for them. And if you can do the design work yourself be it homes or remodeling boats its doubly satisfying. Two things I always wanted to do but never did, is turn a pile of wood into a boat, and build an electric car.
rich

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Montauk cushion fabrication
gpj	posted 06-11-2014 06:58 AM ET (US) I mentioned in an earlier [thread] that my wife and I are refurbishing a 1975 Montauk. One of the most interesting parts of the job has been fabrication of the cushions. My wife and I are taking an upholstery class together and doing the cushions as a (big) project. For the most part, she sews and I cut fabric and foam. Here is the RPS cover and seat bottom: http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0778_zps33964b74.jpg http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0803_zpscdfc7b69.jpg We went with parchment color for the vinyl and black piping. The bottom is 3/4" marine plywood sealed with two coats of 635 epoxy from United Composites. I also used the epoxy to glue down the foam. Last night we installed the cover using stainless steel staples. It turned out nice. I will post a photo later. Other cushions include the RPS back (this cushion is removable, with a zipper on the bottom): http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0774_zpsbf073d0e.jpg http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0775_zpsc64b2445.jpg and cooler seat top: http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0783_zps6bd2fa6a.jpg We have also done rod holder cushions (thanks to CW members for some invaluable information on the construction of the original cushions) and cushions for the bow steps. I am considering doing a stern seat as well. I will post more on the rod holders later, and photos of the completed products. Overall, this has been an interesting project, and a good way to get my wife's buy-in on the boat! If anybody has questions about the materials/processes used, let me know.
Binkster	posted 06-11-2014 07:50 AM ET (US) Your work looks very professional, what kind of sewing machine are you using? rich
gpj	posted 06-11-2014 08:43 AM ET (US) Thank you for the compliment, Rich. We are working slowly and carefully. We are also adding small touches (double-stitching in high stress areas, extra Dacron padding to prevent seam lines from showing through, internal Daron slipcases for the foam, high quality vinyl, etc.) that probably don't show up on mass produced cushions. The sewing machine is at the upholstery shop where we are taking the classes. I have used it. It is powerful and capable of incredibly fast speeds or very slow stich-by-stich operation (useful for turning corners). I will check on the model at our next class (next Tuesday). Apparently, machines are not all that expensive. The owner of the shop said he could order one like his for us for about $400.
Binkster	posted 06-11-2014 04:50 PM ET (US) Do I see a part time business brewing here? I lived in Ft. Myers for many years, and my wife made the bimini tops for every boat we owned. I remember she made some cushions too. She liked to sew and was very good at it but never had the right sewing machine. She would have liked to go into that business, but was very busy in her beauty shop, and never had the nerve to switch over. rich
gpj	posted 06-11-2014 08:22 PM ET (US) Hi Rich, At the rate we work, it would be VERY difficult to break even on a business, let alone make a profit! Still, this project has been a lot of fun. I will take a special satisfaction in parking my bottom on cushions we made ourselves. In fact, I like the idea of paying homage to outstanding craftsmen and engineers by continuing to use the extraordinary products they produced. My daily driver is a 1989 Volvo 240 and I mow our yard with a 1967 IH Cub Cadet, to cite just two examples. I perform all the repairs and maintenance on both machines, up to and including engine rebuilds. Redoing the Montauk and eventually USING it is consistent with that philosophy. I will tell my wife that thanks to Rich of ContinuousWave, her next sewing project is a bimini top for the Montauk! The boat certainly needs a top. When finished it will be home ported on North Captiva and spend most of its time in and around your old stomping grounds, Pine Island Sound. Over the past few months I have been keeping an eye on Craigslist for an inexpensive frame. Speaking of sewing machines, I was surprised at how reasonable the price seemed to be. These are supposedly good quality, Japanese made machines. It may be worth buying one. In addition to a bimini, the boat also needs a cover, the North Cap house could use some new some drapes, I could use a nice custom hammock, and I have always wanted to try a sail with my kayak! We could probably amortize the $400 cost pretty quickly! Here are some other parts I have made from scratch for the Montauk (bow hatch cover and rod holders): http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0795_zps5e2ac89c.jpg http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae243/jsmith294/Cushions%20etc/ IMG_0785_zpsd5bb15b4.jpg GPJ
Binkster	posted 06-12-2014 12:57 PM ET (US) I don't think there is anything more satisfying in life than building stuff. Experience will make you as good as the professional, or become a professional. Anyone can write a check and have things built for them. And if you can do the design work yourself be it homes or remodeling boats its doubly satisfying. Two things I always wanted to do but never did, is turn a pile of wood into a boat, and build an electric car. rich