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Sticker Shock

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:55:40

I guess I should not be surprised, but I just got a real jolt of sticker shock.

One of the items on my long wish list is new cabin cushions for my "traditional" interior 25. Last year I contacted Catalina Yachts for a quote and was told the price was $1,395.00 for a complete set -- which to me sounded like a good deal. Stuff happens and I never got to placing the order. In one of the recent Mainsheets on the last page in the "from the builder" section their was a blurb that you could buy replacement cushions. I just called to again inquire and found out that the current price is $2,954.00! Jeeze a 125% increase in one year! I guess I will start looking in earnest at local sources where at that price I might have greater options.

Many here have posted about making your own replacement cushions -- a task I just do not have the time or inclination to tackle -- but has anyone recently purchased new cushions? Is the current Catalina price reasonable or is it on the high side?

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:12:33

The deal with cushions made elsewhere is you have to make the patterns so if they don't fit it's your fault.
We have a great guy in Oyster Bay who did mine and I gave him access to the boat so he did all the measuring and fitting. They came out great for 19 boat units I specified sunbrella upholstery fabric.
If you don't have a local boat canvas guy try taking the cushions to an upholsterer they should be cheaper than anything labeled “marine”.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:18:55

Oyster Bay is close enough that I may ask you for the name and take my old cushions to him to use as a template -- 19 boat units sure beats 29!

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 12:34:54

Check your e-mail for his info.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 15:18:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> $2,954.00! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As far as I'm concerned these cushions are worth 3 or 4 hundred bucks and that's it. What is there? Gold lining or something? It's just foam and material for God's sake!! I get sticker shock every time I look at "Marine" anything!

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 16:18:18

No matter what you spend on them they will probably only increase the net worth $3-4 hundred dollars. That is why the price is hard to swallow.

Edited by - on

Peregrine
Admiral

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830 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 16:39:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> $2,954.00! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

As far as I'm concerned these cushions are worth 3 or 4 hundred bucks and that's it. What is there? Gold lining or something? It's just foam and material for God's sake!! I get sticker shock every time I look at "Marine" anything!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Please let the entire assoc. know where to replace the cushions for 4 boat units.
I wanted the best price but I acknowledge the work anyone "marine" or not has to do.
The quarter berth has two cushions the salon has four and the fore-peak has three.
That's nine cushions and I got piping on every piece and buttons on the two backs in the salon. It included full length zippers and nylon mesh for the backs to "breath".
$400? For then entire boat? Great price if you can get it.
We don't condone gouging but time sewing is worth a decent wage.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2009 : 20:04:09

I only replaced the 2 pieces of foam for the port settee when I had mine recovered, and that was over $100 for quality, medium density foam. My fabric and seamstress brought the total to around $900. Replacing the rest of the foam would have probably added another $600, so I agree with John. I had it done several years ago, and the price of foam is based on the price of oil.

EDIT: The foam and upholstery retailer used my old cushions as a template.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 11/06/2009 20:12:28

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 06:58:22

Over the last two years I had all the cushions on "Even Chance" recovered, and about half of them replaced. Off the top of my head, there are 12 cushions (dinette version), ranging in size from the little trapezoidal filler in the vee berth to the enormous quarterberth cushion. I had a local upholsterer do the work. He recovered good cushions, but replaced (and covered) dead cushions. The cost was about $ 2000.

Last summer Vicki and I were shopping for a bigger boat, and looked at a TMI 30. We were intrigued by the saloon cushions, which were a bright tropical floral print. The broker told us the owner had recovered them herself. We were mightily impressed until we turned the cushions over and saw they were stapled together.

Good upholstery is hard work that requires expertise. People pay me for my effort and knowledge, and I expect to pay others for theirs.

Edited by - Even Chance on 11/07/2009 07:02:54

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 08:29:35

OK, so I understated the worth of the cushions. I'll agree with that

and maybe I need to see the labor that goes in to producing these things, but generally marine products are hugely overpriced and so I guess I've developed a bit of an attitude, hehe

Let's see, we have the 2 v-berth and the filler up front, the 4 settee and the 2 that make up the quarter berth. It seems to me that you should be able to make any of these individual cushions for $100.

Something that just came to mind; I live in a place (Volusia County, FL) where the per capita income is probably $30,000.00. I do a bit better than that but what's VERY expensive for me is not so much for many other people.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2009 : 16:54:35

Peter,
Dave Bristle (who may be away on his trip right now) purchased new cushions from a shop in South Norwalk for Passage.
They fit perfectly and after several years have kept their firmness.
The material has held up nicely as well.

I don't recall the name of the shop, but until Dave returns, you may be able to locate it on YellowPages.com or Google.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2009 : 10:17:06

Bruce:

Thanks for the info -- Dave had already given me their name -- Royal -- and they are on my list. Also glad that the covers have held up well.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5352 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2009 : 21:07:19

Peter,
Yes, I went back and checked, and indeed they were Royal. I'm guessing that things get re-e-e-a-a-l slow after the holidays. That's usually when I buy the more expensive items, and I can usually work out my best deal then . . .

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2009 : 12:41:27

How about a little anti-sticker shock?

A little while back there was a thread on the solar fans and the fact that if the battery no longer held a charge the fan wouldn't work at night and you'd start growing mold. well as of late I've been growing a little mold so I checked and sure enough the battery wasn't holding a charge.
Went to West Marine and priced the NiCaD C battery and they wanted $22 a battery, and then had to order it. Went to Ace, they didn't have'em, so I was forced to go to Walmart (I hate that!) and they had 2 NiMH C's for $10.00 with a slightly higher MAH (basically meaning discharge per hour).

I love it when that happens

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2009 : 15:34:19

Dave, Similar thing happened to me. I had to replace 2 group 24 marine deep cycle batteries. Went to WM and sticker shock set in when I saw price at $140, EACH. I went to my local automotive parts store and got them for 1/2 price.

In all fairness, I must admit, I do give a lot of business to both of my local WM stores.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2009 : 15:50:38

You wouldn't believe what wholesale/dealer prices are.

Edited by - Rich P on 11/11/2009 15:51:10

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2009 : 06:56:05

Yep, Steve, I have 2 West Marine stores close and use them pretty often. They'll give you the "Defender" price too, so that helps.

Edited by - on

Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2009 : 13:23:43

See if WM will give you 'port supply' price.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2009 : 15:30:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich P
 See if WM will give you 'port supply' price.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">They claim they'll match anybody for an identical product. If it's internet or mail-order, then they'll match it including the shipping cost. Set up and print the order but don't place it, and then take the print-out to WM. I can get Defender prices with no shipping at my WM because Defender is 15 minutes away.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/12/2009 15:32:11

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