Cushions and aft enclosure curtain, Wellcraft 252

The new aft enclosure on the boat, charcoal lower panels and clear windows, with vertical straps between the sections.
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The customer’s story

A Wellcraft 252 came to us for a complete refresh of its seating and its aft cockpit enclosure. The old white vinyl cushions were stained and tired, and the stainless seat frames had rust marks along their edges. The owner wanted all thirteen cushions and bolsters made new, and the aft enclosure curtains renewed to match.

The scope

Thirteen new cushions and bolsters, and three aft enclosure curtain sections with clear windows and new track.

The approach

We replaced every cushion and bolster with all-new materials. The covers are Sunbrella Horizon Marine Textil in White 10201-0001, a marine vinyl that carries a pink-staining warranty from its maker, with diamond-quilted contrast panels in Charcoal 10201-0004. An extra layer of anti-microbial seat mesh sits between foam and vinyl as one more guard against staining. The foam is new high-resiliency foam, built deeper in the seat bottoms for comfort, and each insert is wrapped in batting and film for a fuller shape. French seams are backed with fabric tape for strength, and new zippers let the inserts come out easily. Phifertex mesh panels on the backs let the cushions vent and drain, and new snaps and Keder welt finish the work. On the aft fold-up seat we fitted new 316 stainless screws and washers treated with Lanocoat, and cleaned and polished the stainless frame.

The aft enclosure is made in three curtain sections in Tempotest Acrylic, Silver Tweed T407/79-60, doubled in the panels for durability. The windows are StrataGlass polished clear vinyl with a UV and scratch-resistant coating, framed inside and out so they can be replaced later. All edges are banded, snap and zipper edges are reinforced to stop pull-out, and flaps cover the zippers to keep the sun off them. The centre section rolls up on matching fabric straps and snaps. We also fitted new Costa track with extra recessed screws so the panels slide freely.

The result

Thirteen fresh cushions and bolsters in white and charcoal, and an aft enclosure with clear windows and a centre section that rolls up to open the cockpit. Workmanship and hardware carry our two-year warranty.

Materials

  • Cushion vinyl, bodySunbrella Horizon Marine Textil, White 10201-0001Marine vinyl with a pink-staining warranty from its maker
  • Cushion vinyl, contrast panelsSunbrella Horizon Marine Textil, Charcoal 10201-0004Diamond-quilted insets
  • FoamHigh-resiliency foam, new throughoutSeat bottoms built deeper for comfort
  • Anti-staining layerAnti-microbial seat mesh, between foam and vinylAn extra guard against staining
  • Breathing panelsPhifertex mesh drain and vent panelsLet the cushions vent and drain
  • Welt and fastenersKeder welt, new snaps, new zippersFrench seams backed with fabric tape
  • Seat hardware316 stainless screws and washers, treated with LanocoatStainless seat frame cleaned and polished
  • Enclosure fabricTempotest Acrylic, Silver Tweed T407/79-60Doubled in the panels for durability
  • Enclosure windowsStrataGlass polished clear vinyl, 40 mm, UV and scratch-resistant coatingFramed inside and out so they can be replaced later
  • Enclosure zippersYKK marine-grade outdoor zippers, with covering flapsFlaps keep UV off the zippers
  • Enclosure snapsAcrylic-coated or bright nickel-coated brass snaps, Keder welt, edge bandingSnap and zipper edges reinforced with extra fabric
  • Curtain trackNew marine Costa track, with additional recessed screwsLets the panels slide freely

Photographs

Each photograph opens larger.

The new aft enclosure on the boat, charcoal lower panels and clear windows, with vertical straps between the sections.
The new enclosure in place at the dock.
The original aft enclosure on the boat, dark lower curtains and clear windows hanging at the cockpit, marina beyond.
Before: the original aft enclosure.
The old enclosure curtain sections laid out on the bench, grey fabric with clear vinyl windows and zippers.
The old curtain sections off the boat.
An old white vinyl seat bottom on its stainless frame, with a stack of white cushions beside it.
Old seat bottom and its frame.
Old white vinyl cushions and bolsters stacked and laid out on the workshop bench.
The old cushions and bolsters, before.
Underside of an old seat bottom: white mesh back on a stainless frame, with rust staining along the edges.
Rust staining at the frame, before cleaning.
A charcoal fabric panel chalked with a diamond grid, with rulers and a chalk pencil on the bench.
Diamond grid chalked out before quilting.
A charcoal panel chalked with a diamond grid and centre mark, rulers above it on the bench.
Centre marked, grid laid out.
A strip of fabric swatches held against an old white cushion, with sample books at the corner of the bench.
Choosing charcoal to go with the white.
An old white bolster lying flat on the bench with a grey-gold strap across its middle.
An old bolster, before.
Two old white cushions with grey welt piping laid side by side on the bench.
Old cushions with welted insets.
An old white vinyl seat cushion, top side up on the bench, its panels marked and soiled.
Old seat cushion, before.
An old white seat cushion, square with rounded corners, a zipper pull at its lower edge.
Another old seat cushion, before.
Back of an old cushion: a white mesh panel with a zipper pocket and two snap tabs.
Old mesh back with snap tabs.
The back of a new cushion in white mesh with a zipper and two tabs, a charcoal quilted panel showing at its edge.
Mesh back lets the cushion breathe.
The top of a new white bolster with an oval charcoal diamond-quilted panel.
Charcoal diamond quilting on white.
A charcoal curtain panel clipped together on the bench, with rulers, tapes and tools around it.
Curtain panel clipped for sewing.
Charcoal curtain fabric with black edge banding on its corners and edges, pattern paper beneath.
Edge banding going on.
A curtain panel with a window opening, clipped all around, with clips and tools scattered on the bench.
Window opening bound and clipped.
Close-up of binding folded around a curved window opening in grey curtain fabric.
Binding turned around a window corner.
The workshop with a large sheet of clear vinyl rolled out on the bench and a drill in front.
Clear window vinyl ready to cut.
A curtain panel clipped to the bench, black edge banding folded along its lower edge, a roll of banding and scissors on top.
Edge banding along the hem.
A paper cushion pattern with measurements and part numbers written on it, a tape measure and markers on top.
The cushion pattern, every part numbered.
A quilted charcoal centre panel sewn between two white side panels, flat on the bench.
Quilted centre joined to the white sides.
The reverse of a seat panel, pink foam backing under the quilting and white tape along the seams.
Reverse of the panel, seams taped.
A white zipper sewn into a strip of fabric, marked top and bottom in pencil.
Zipper strip, marked top and bottom.
A cushion cover inside out, quilted panel visible, a zipper strip with tabs sewn into the boxing.
Zipper set into the boxing, seen inside out.
A cover turned inside out, showing pink quilted backing with white tape on the seams.
Taped seams on the inside.
A finished cushion top cover, white sides with a charcoal diamond-quilted centre, on the bench.
Cover sewn, ready for its foam.
Inside of a cover, a hand holding the zipper placket above taped seams and pink quilted backing.
Zipper placket and taped seams.
A hand pulling open the zipper in a cover's boxing, pink quilted backing visible inside.
The zipper opens for the foam.
A seat cover inside out on a cushion, pink quilted backing visible, white boxing around the side.
Checking the fit before turning the cover.
Side of a cover inside out with a long zipper and two fabric tabs on the boxing.
Zipper and tabs in the back boxing.
An old white seat cushion above a new cover with a charcoal quilted centre, side by side on the bench.
Old cushion beside its new cover.
A new seat cushion with white sides and a charcoal diamond-quilted centre, on the bench.
New cushion, quilting centred.
Front edge of a new seat cushion with a zipper in the boxing and a fabric tab beneath.
Zipper along the boxing, strap tab below.
Underside of a new cushion in white fabric with a strap tab at the top and a mesh section with a tab at the bottom.
Underside tabs hold it to the seat.
A hand holding a new cushion on edge, showing its smooth white boxing and seam.
Boxing seam up close.
A new cushion held on edge, white boxing with a double-stitched seam beside the charcoal quilting.
Clean seam, full boxing.
Two new seat cushions side by side, charcoal diamond-quilted centres on white, with a block of foam behind.
A pair of new cushions.
The backs of two new cushions, with fabric strap tabs and mesh vent panels.
Straps and mesh vents on the backs.
A new quilted cushion beside an old white one, both with strap tabs.
New beside old.
The backs of a new cushion and a stained old one, side by side, both with strap tabs.
Backs of new and old, side by side.
An old white seat cushion in front with new quilted cushions behind it.
The old cushion before replacement.
The back of an old cushion: soiled white mesh with snap straps and corner tabs.
Old mesh back with its snaps.
Paper patterns for a seat cushion laid out on the bench: top panels, a long boxing strip and small pieces.
Patterns for each part of the cushion.
A charcoal fabric panel chalked with long diagonal lines and corner marks, a pencil and ruler on it.
Quilting lines chalked out.
A charcoal panel marked with a diagonal grid and a centre cross.
Grid ready for quilting.
A charcoal panel with a diamond grid laid on a sheet of pink foam.
Panel on its foam backing.
A quilted charcoal panel on pink foam beside the sewing machine.
Diamonds stitched in on the machine.
A roll of white fabric on pattern paper, with long pattern strips on the bench.
Fabric laid out on the patterns.
A cushion top panel with a charcoal quilted centre between white sides, small tabs at its edges.
Panel with its tabs, ready to join.
A new seat bottom and back cushion stacked on the bench, white with charcoal quilted centres, another cushion at left.
A seat bottom and its back.
The back of a seat cushion in white mesh with a centre zipper and two straps, tabs at the corners.
Mesh back with its zipper.
A new seat bottom with white sides and a charcoal quilted centre that widens at the front.
Seat bottom with its quilted panel.
A new seat back cushion standing on its seat bottom, charcoal quilting on white.
Seat and back, matched.
Close-up of a seat back and bottom with diamond quilting stitched in white thread.
White thread on charcoal diamonds.
Five new cushions laid out on a moving blanket: two seat bottoms, two backs and a bolster.
Seats, backs and a bolster together.
The reverse of the same cushions: white fabric backs, mesh panels and strap tabs.
Backs, mesh vents and straps.
A hand opening the zipper in the mesh back of a seat bottom, pink quilted backing inside.
Zipper in the mesh back.
The mesh back of a seat bottom with a centre zipper and two corner tabs, charcoal edge along the bottom.
Centre zipper in the mesh back.
A polished stainless seat frame laid on the bench beside a long white track strip.
Stainless frame, cleaned and polished.
Close-up of a white track with a polished stainless end cap, the stainless frame behind it.
Track with its stainless end cap.
A long charcoal curtain section with a clear window at the top and white track along one edge, rulers beside it.
Curtain section with window and track.
Pieces of an old cushion cover laid flat on the bench, marked with part names and port and starboard.
The old cover taken apart for patterns.
Paper patterns laid beside the old cover's pieces on the bench, with rulers and a long strip above.
Patterns for the seat cushion pieces.
A large roll of white batting in a clear wrap on a workshop bench.
Batting for the cushion wraps.
A block of yellow foam on the bench in front of a roll of white batting.
New foam and batting.
A foam cushion insert wrapped in clear plastic film, white batting around its edges.
Foam wrapped in batting and film.
A foam cushion insert fully wrapped in white batting and clear film.
Wrapped insert, ready for its cover.
Two new seat bottoms with their backs standing on them, side by side, charcoal quilted centres on white.
A pair, ready for the boat.
Low side view of a new seat back and seat bottom, the workshop behind.
Side view of a seat and back.
Close-up of a seat bottom corner, charcoal quilted top, white side and stitched edge.
Corner and welt detail.
Two new seat backs over their seat bottoms, charcoal quilted centres on white.
Backs and bottoms in matched pairs.
A white boxing strip with a diagonal charcoal quilted panel sewn in.
Diagonal quilted panel sewn into the boxing.
A white cover with a diagonal charcoal panel lying above its paper pattern with cutouts.
Cover beside its paper pattern.
Inside of a cover with taped seams and pink quilted backing in its diagonal panel.
Taped seams, seen from inside.
A finished curved bolster, white with a diagonal charcoal quilted panel.
The finished bolster.
A bolster cover inside out with an oval pink quilted panel and taped seams.
Oval panel, seen from inside.
A bolster with an oval charcoal quilted top resting on other new cushions.
Quilted oval on the bolster.
A hand holding a new bolster on edge, showing its white boxing and seam.
Bolster edge and seam.
A stack of new cushions with a quilted bolster on top.
New cushions stacked.
A bolster standing behind a seat bottom, both with oval charcoal quilted panels, on a moving blanket.
Seat bottom and back with oval panels.
The helm seat and a wall bolster installed on the boat, white with charcoal diamond quilting.
Installed: the helm seat and bolster.
A tube of Sikaflex 291 LOT, a box of snap fastener screws and a screwdriver on a blue pad aboard the boat.
Snap fasteners and marine sealant ready.
A snap stud fastened into a white fibreglass surface.
A new snap stud in place.
The mesh back of a cushion lying in the cockpit with its snaps fastened to the tabs.
Snapped to its tabs on the mesh back.
The helm seat installed in the cockpit beside the steering wheel, marina behind.
Helm seat in place.
A view through the enclosure glass of two helm seats and a wall bolster, charcoal diamond quilting on white.
Both helm seats and the bolster aboard.
A stainless track end cap screwed to a white post, with a snap stud beside it.
Track end cap fixed with a screw.
White track running down the side post of the cabin top, seats wrapped in plastic below, marina beyond.
New track on the side post.
The underside of the hardtop with white track mounted along the overhead and stainless end caps.
Track along the overhead.
A pale grey panel with metal eyelets around its edges and grey edge binding, on the bench beside a clear-windowed curtain.
Panel with eyelets and bound edges.
A curtain section with a clear vinyl window, pale grey fabric behind it and nickel snaps around the edge.
Snaps set around the window.
A long charcoal curtain section on the bench, clear window at one end and a zipper along the top.
Curtain section with window and zipper.
The enclosure with its centre section rolled up and strapped at the top, opening onto the cockpit.
The centre section rolls up to open the cockpit.
The aft of the cockpit closed off by dark panels with snaps, seen from the dock.
The new custom window covers attached with common-sense fasteners (twist lock).
The aft fold-down seat lowered at the stern, white with a charcoal panel, twin outboards behind.
The aft fold-up seat, open.
The aft fold-up seat stowed upright against the transom, its charcoal panel facing out.
Stowed upright against the transom.
The boat's front windshield with the quilted helm seat visible inside and a radar dome above.

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