Cuddy cabin cushion question

[Aquanoob]

All,

I am tackling multiple projects on a 97 explorer 215 I picked up. The cushions in the cabin were fairly recently redone, however I’ve noticed that due to there being an open storage area under the side and front cushions they flex inward when sitting / laying on them. Can anybody tell me if there was once an insert which laid under the cushions, or if the original cushions had a rigid bottom? I’m thinking I may fashion something out of plastic material for rigidity.

[Capt. Bob]

I can't speak for your 97 but my 91 cushions are original and the large side cushions do not have any stiffeners but
the center cushion does. That allows it to bridge the opening where the removable pedestal/table (your model) or the porta-potti (my model) resides when the center cushion isn't in place. I believe mine is plywood. When in place, the side cushions are sized to leave the lip surrounding the center opening exposed thus allowing the rigid center section to rest on the lip and bridge over the porta-potti.

Maybe when they recovered the cushions they made them a little larger or left the stiffener out of the center section.

[Aquanoob]

Thanks Capt. Bob. I’ll be messing around with a proper fix for this problem over the winter.

[Capt. Bob]

I re-read your original post and realize that my answer had nothing to do with what you are asking.

You were referring to something similar to this, correct?


Those are the three storage units in my WAC under the cushions. That stated, they do indeed have covers (black in my model) so you would/will need to fab covers for yours, which appear to have gone missing. Starboard would be a good choice. Easy enough to cut to size and drill for access/removal.

Good luck.

[RickK]

Its hard to believe that someone tossed the covers to the storage - is that true? More than likely they lost the bridge board across the gap between the bunks to fill it in - mine was missing too.  I made mine out of plywood.  The newer (like 95-96) they started tucking the porta-potty under the helm and on slideouts, is that how yours is?

[Aquanoob]

Rick, I find it hard to believe as well that someone tossed them, but that appears to be the case! Capt. Bob, that is exactly what I was referring to and thank you for the picture as I will fab up something similar. Sorry for the months late response, I did not see the update to this post.