Under Cushion Material

[Ronbye]

Some time ago I came across a material that you put under your cushions that helps keep the cushions from becoming damp. This material also provides a means of air circulation under the cushion. My problem isd that I have forgotten where I saw this material and for the life of me, I cannot remember what it looks like or where I saw it. Can anyone help me out with this please.

[sailingdog]

You can use furnace air filter material to do this for far less than the marine specific material costs...

[Ronbye]

SailingDog, what sizes do the filters come in and what thickness?

[TrueBlue]

We use layers of EnkaMat under our boat's berths and settee cushions. The stuff is used for soil erosion control and made from a much heavier gauge plastic fiber than furnace filters. Since I inspect construction sites regularly, there are usually plenty of scrap pieces left over from grading subcontractors - freebies are the best kind of boating gear.

It also has uses (under different names) in other building areas, such as air circulation matting under cedar shingle roofs and in foundation irrigation. Check with your local big-box building supply store for the best prices on it.

[sailingdog]

I'm familiar with EnkaMat, and would agree that it would be better than air filter material for most people, but used the air filter material since I got a fairly large amount of it for free... In either case, the big box stores, HD or Lowe's, will have it.

[Cruisingdad]

I am posting this here because it is related. It is not meant to hijack. However, I bought a dehumidifier for the boat (it does not stay on it... just use it periodically) and I would reccomend that for many people. You can buy them at Loews/HDepot and they are not expensive. Let it run for 1-2 days straight and it REALLY pulls all the moisture out of the boat and cushions. It takes away any mold and related smells. We really sleep better when the boat has been really dried out.

THis is not something a cruiser will really get to do. More for the weekenders or marina liveaboards. However, it sure does make life aboard more comfortable.

I would think if you did that in addition to the mat you are describing, you really would sleep comfortbaly. Again, you do not have to do it everyday... it is just very periodically.

- CD

[sailingdog]

Please note that CD has enough solar and wind generation capacity on his floating bbq barge to power the eastern seaboard for a while. Therefore, he can run a high amperage device, like the dehumidifier, with impunity.

I, having significantly less power generation capacity, prefer to keep the boat dry by keeping as much water out of her as is possible.

[Freesail99]

Adding to what CD just said, a solar vent also helps keeping things dry.

[sailingdog]

IMHO, two are better...one to draw fresh air into the boat, the other, at the other end of the boat, to vent it. I have two installed on my boat.

Originally Posted by Freesail99

Adding to what CD just said, a solar vent also helps keeping things dry.

[Freesail99]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

IMHO, two are better...one to draw fresh air into the boat, the other, at the other end of the boat, to vent it. I have two installed on my boat.

I agree I also have 2 on my boat. But it did give me great pain, to drill/cut a 4 inch hole in the cabin top.