Alternative Seating

[MPosey519]

Anyone looked into Marine Grade Vinyl, Outdoor rated Bean bag chairs/loungers/sofas as seating?

We really liked having the front of the boat pretty much furniture free this past summer during the rebuild and are thinking of leaving it that way. We just need decent comfort for people to ride up there for weight distribution.

Anyone have any experience with anything similar?

I really like the ones at this site, http://www.lujoliving.com/outdoor-beanbags/

But am thinking that's a bit much for beanbag chairs...

[steveiam]

Posey I have a buddy that bought a good toon that had bad seats through out, he took out all the seats except the captains chair and when we go fishing with him we just use fold out chairs like you would use at the park.
He just fishes with "the guys" in his boat but it is nice to have the room inside.

[MH Hawker]

I left my front deck empty for several reasons and use the Colman max folding chairs when needed and its worked out very well.

[The_Hellbilly]

I'd love to engineer a way to make my rotomold seats easily removable. I've considered using the lockable table bases with a bottom section of a table pole somehow.

[RonKMiller]

Considering those are covered with Sunbrella fabric, that's not expensive at all. I can't even IMAGINE how nasty those would be if made from vinyl, you could never sit in them... The one huge advantage is that you could store them indoors when not using your boat. They would last forever. If I would have known about them I would have considered them for my rebuild. ALL of the aftermarket "pontoon" boat furniture is CRAP and seriously overpriced. I got lucky and found mine as a closeout style, although brand new.

All you need is some hanging ferns and a hookah and you would be good to go. Far out.

[MPosey519]

I'm thinking about finding some patterns, buying the sunbrella fabric, and making my own. If I do, I'll let you know how it goes. I just can't stomach paying $490 for one bean bag chair, even if it is awesome.

[fredeboy]

Well I was really liking those chairs till I read the part they do not include beans!!

[MPosey519]

I'm thinking if I can find the pattern I can make a lounger for somewhere around $150-$200. Plenty of Sunbrella retailers around here. But so far all I can find is a big flat pillow or standard round bean bag patterns

[RonKMiller]

I think you'll pretty much be stuck with using styrofoam beads/peanuts for a filler. (Make sure you don't use the green ones - they decompose rapidly when exposed to water) Buckwheat hulls would be excellent too. I don't think Sunbrella would be a necessity unless you stored them outside. A quality 600 denier Cordura would offer all the same attributes (relatively soft, easy to sew) and be even tougher and more abrasion resistant. It inherently has more tensile strength than any grade of Sunbrella.

If you wanted to go ultra high end there are lightweight, flexible (have great "hand") waterproof and sun proof nano-tech fabrics that would last forever, and clean up easily. They have a nice, dull finish and would be much more comfortable than vinyl.

http://www.lightweightmanufacturing.com/Ferrari702.html

Ultraleather also makes an excellent and luxurious outdoor rated fabric that feels like Napa leather, very smooth and buttery soft. It stays cool to the touch even in direct sunlight:

http://www.ultrafabricsllc.com/site/subCollection/14

[MPosey519]

I'll plan on waterproofing the inside of the bag, and will see how the beads from the hobby store work out first. Sunbrella fabric looks to be available at a decent price on ebay by the yard. If this works out well, I might just try selling some on etsy

[MPosey519]

I've found a great pattern with high back and side pockets, I'll try it out with some cheap fabric on my next day off and see how it goes, I still want to find a good lounging pattern

[guy48065]

So how did it go Mike? I was thinking about some bean bags for the cottage...toss them on the 'toon when needed. I never considered the dual-purpose idea, esp. if made from a comfortable weatherproof fabric. Win-win!

I spotted one of those high-back jobs last time I was in my local Salvation Army store. I should have bought it just to rip apart the seams to make a pattern.

[MPosey519]

I've got the pattern and started cutting out the panels for a test one(cheapo walmart fabric for first try) It even has a side pocket once it's fiished. I'm hoing to have it ready this week. If it turns out well, I'll be ordering the Sunbrella stuff. Been a bit busy around the house, just now getting around to it...woops!

[The_Hellbilly]

I'd love to see some pics

[MPosey519]

I'll get the pics up as soon as I'm finished...learning how to use a sewing machine at the same time, so don't expect much