Custom boat cushions, made for the water.

GOOD QUESTIONS

Marine cushions, answered.

• Which fabric is right for marine use?

  For anything that lives outside the cabin, marine-grade outdoor performance weaves are our standard. They're solution-dyed (the colour goes through the fibre, not over it), salt-tolerant, UV-stable for at least five years, and they shrug off mildew in damp lockers. We carry over a hundred marine-suitable colourways — order free swatches via the fabric library before committing, because monitor colour is never quite the cloth in your hand.

• Dry-fast foam vs. high-density — which do I want?

  For exterior boat cushions, always dry-fast. It's a reticulated open-cell foam that lets water pass straight through instead of pooling — wet cockpit cushions feel comfortable again within an hour or two. High-density closed foam is what we use for indoor benches and dinettes inside the cabin, where moisture isn't the daily reality. Tell us where the cushion lives and we'll pair the right core to the conditions.

• Are made-to-measure cushions cheaper than buying new from the boatyard?

  Almost always — and the quality is usually better. Boatyard replacement programs charge for the brand name and the dealer margin; we charge for fabric, foam, and a tailor's hour. For a typical V-berth set, customers tell us they save 30 to 50% versus the OEM quote, with a longer-lived fabric and better stitching. Send the boat make and model along with your measurements, and we can quote the equivalent set.

• Can these cushions act as flotation?

  No, and we don't certify them as personal flotation devices — that requires Coast Guard / SOLAS-rated foam cores and labelling we don't supply. Our cushions are comfort and weather-resistance, not life safety. Keep your PFDs on board separately. If you need a flotation-rated bench cushion specifically for a survey requirement, message the atelier and we'll point you to a certified maker.

• How do I measure a V-berth or odd-shaped cockpit?

  The trick with a V-berth is to template, not measure. Lay craft paper or cardboard down on the bunk surface, trace around the hull and bulkheads with a pencil, and cut the template out. Photograph it next to a tape measure for scale, send it to us, and we'll pattern from your trace. For cockpits, we'll often hop on a 15-minute video call so we can see the angles together. Both methods are free.

• What colours hold up best on the water?

  All solution-dyed marine fabrics resist fade equally — colour choice is aesthetic, not durability. That said, deep navy and charcoal show salt residue more than mid-tones, and pure white shows mildew faster than off-white or sand. Most owners land on a soft taupe, putty or stone — they hide spray, look smart against a hull, and work with teak. Order free swatches and lay them on deck before deciding.