The Outdoors Blog
Industrial and Manufacturing

Boat Maintenance Made Easy

January 16, 2019 by · Leave a Comment 

Summary: Using proper maintenance techniques can help your boat stay in solid working condition for several years.

Any large investment requires a lot of careful planning and treatment. You would not purchase a car before doing your research on the brand, how the model drives, and how to take care of it. Similarly, if you own a boat, you should be aware of the different ways you can keep your boat healthy and ready to take out on the water at any moment.

Regular Cleaning

The open waters can get rough and challenging. With such a wide variety of dirt, salt, and minerals floating around in the water, regularly cleaning your boat is a must. Scrubbing both the deck and the outer body of the boat at least once a week can prevent the buildup of unwanted materials. The longer these materials stay on your boat, the more likely they will be to chip off some of the paint or stain the frame. There are protective coatings you can invest in to help decrease the likelihood of grime causing costly damages to your boat.

The initial process of cleaning your boat could take a good amount of time, especially if you have not done it in a while. Once the boat has been thoroughly cleaned, however, the regular maintenance cleanups will not take as long.

Emergency Kit

You probably never expect anything to go wrong whenever you are out boating but you want to make sure you have the tools to act quickly when something does not go according to plan. Keeping an emergency kit stocked and ready to use will greatly help you. For instance, having bandages and antibiotic ointments could prevent injuries from worsening while you are far from land.

Blog submitted by TurtlePac: Finding reliable equipment is one of the most crucial aspects of flying. If you are in the market for an emergency water storage tank or a container to hold precious cargo, check out the wide variety of items Turtle Pac has to offer.

Essentials for any Boat Owner

December 22, 2018 by · Leave a Comment 

Summary: No matter if you use your boat for leisure or for business, there are certain essentials you should always have on deck.

There is something special about being out in the water. Heading out on your boat can be relaxing, exciting, and enjoyable. As fun as boating can be, however, you cannot deny how dangerous it can be. When you are out in the water you need to be prepared to handle any situation that comes your way. Since you might not be able to easily turn back and quickly pick something up from the land, it would be wise to pack your boat with the essentials you would need to approach the challenges you might face.

Clean Water

Even though you will be surrounded by water when you are boating, you need to keep in mind that the water your boat is sitting in might not be safe to consume. If you plan on using water to drink or cook, you will need to bring clean water on deck before even leaving the dock. Invest in a robust water bladder that can store large volumes of water without getting damaged by the heat of the sun.

Walkie-Talkies

When you are far from land you might have little to no cell service. It would not be wise to depend on your cellphone to get in touch with those on land or with others who are also out on the water. A standard walkie-talkie is reliable and can usually last many hours without needing to be charged. Even if you do have cell service, it would be smart to have more than one way to reach others if you need information or need assistance out at sea.

Blog submitted by TurtlePac: If you are in the market for a new emergency water storage tank or need a sturdy water bladder for your ship, head over to TurtlePac.

Why Boat Cushions Are Always Recommended to Own

July 11, 2016 by · Leave a Comment 

Boat cushions fight off mildew growth and still provide substantial comfort to the user.

Written by: The Foam Factory

If you are a new boat owner, this guide will help you find the right type of cushion that you’ll need to prevent both mildew and bacterial growth. While you may believe that it isn’t necessary to replace your regular cushion with, say the moisture-friendly marine foam cushions, it’s actually worth noting that by switching, you will have a much cleaner and safe environment on your boat.

The Secret Behind Boat Cushions

Yacht cushions, boat cushions, specially-formulated cushions, whatever it may be, they all have one thing in common – they prevent mildew and bacterial growth inside. This is something that’s extremely important to watch out for, for both you and your guests’ safety. Mildew growth can trigger allergic reactions to individuals that are sensitive to being around it. In addition to this, mildew growth can spread around your boat. Remember, all it takes is a cold, damp spot for mold to start growing. The trick with these boat cushions is that they have an open cell structure and a formula within it that combats mold growth. The fact that your boat is surrounded by moisture and varying temperatures, you’ll want all the protection that you can get.

If you are the owner of a much larger boat, you may be thinking that you’ll need a specific boat mattress to be safe. However, this has been debated. Many boat owners believe that you can place any mattress on the interior of the boat while other think that mold and mildew can find a place in any area.

New Boat Checklist: Everything You Need Before You Disembark

March 16, 2016 by · Leave a Comment 

There is nothing quite like getting behind the wheel of a new boat and taking it out for that first foray into the open waters. Before you set out for your inaugural voyage, be sure you pack the necessities: food, relaxation and safety kits.

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The good news is that most of this equipment is easy to stockpile. A boat cushion with a canvas cover fits below deck and will last for years if you keep it out of the sun. Rope will eventually dry out, but you can cover your anchor with tarp to help block sun damage. Canvas is fairly durable, so it should be useful as a boat cover, seat covers, cushion covers and anything else you might need. The only concern you’ll have is sun damage, so you may need to replace certain covers if they begin to lose their luster.

Be Safe

Always have a flotation device on hand at all times, no exceptions. Every child who boards your boat should have a life vest at all times. If your boat’s seating doesn’t float, order custom cushions with open-celled foam. It will prevent water from soaking into the foam, which will help it act as a flotation device for you and your family.

A medical kit is also important to have, along with lots of motion sickness medication. Most outdoor and sporting goods stores sell medical supplies as all-in-one kits, but those kits usually don’t include anything for sea sickness.

Finally, be sure you are armed with a flare gun if you intend to go beyond a point where you can see land. Even if you don’t go out that far, a flare will help someone locate you if you’re in trouble.

Food

If you’re out on the water, fishing is probably one of the best ways to eat. You will eat fresh food full of protein, but eating any one thing day and night can get a little old. Crock pots and small camping stoves will be useful on a voyage depending on the size of the boat. Electric grills are best if possible, but gas is fine in a pinch so long as you control the open flame. Just be mindful of winds.

You can also prepare food in advance and use your crock pots or cooking implements to heat it. Chili or chowder is an excellent choice for short trips and overnighters.
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The Foam Factory, Inc. specializes in manufacturing upholstery foam for Canada and the United States. The Foam Factory offers free shipping for all orders over $75.

Foam: The Camper’s Hidden Secret

June 24, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Every camping trip brings with it the opportunity to do things just a bit better next time. The outdoors presents a challenge that the unprepared can’t handle, but planning for everything is not really feasible. Backpackers only have a finite amount of weight they can carry, and car campers will quickly overload their car with accessories that probably won’t serve them well.

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Camping hacks, like putting toilet paper into a coffee container and cutting a hole for easy disbursement, are designed to bring some of the comforts of home with you. Hacks cover everything from drinking properly in the outdoors to securing foodstuffs from bears and wildlife.

One secret that inexperienced campers overlook is the use of foam. Upholstery foam from Canada can’t do everything around a campsite, but the specialized uses you’ll find for foam will greatly enhance the comfort level of your trip. Use these tips to improve the quality of your campsite and camp in style.

Sleeping and Lounging

One of the primary uses you’ll find for foam is in the mattress itself. Foam has the distinct advantage of being flexible, which means that sheets can be rolled up tightly for easy storage without any long term effects. Memory foam mattresses aren’t as easy to transport, but small custom cushions are perfect for day trips or overnights. Attach the cushion to a backpack and every rock you pass quickly becomes a relaxing chair.

Aside from comfort, dense foam serves two purposes: heat control and protection. When backpackers hit the trail, they tend to make camp as the sun is lowering or already down. Most people know to bring a tarp with them as a protective measure for tents, to be sure that rocks won’t rip the canvas material. Foam pads help protect whatever other bedding you might have too. What if there were small barbs mixed in with that soft ground covering? A simple puncture on an inflatable mattress can leave you feeling miserable for the whole night.

Aside from the mattress itself, custom outdoor cushions cut small enough can double as camping pillows too.

Insulation

Another excellent use for foam is as a tool for insulation. Ever heard of a beer cozy? You can use foam as insulation for cold drinks of any variety, like juice or soda. You’ll need dense foam for this task, otherwise the insulation won’t be as effective. You can also make a pouch of cloth and line it with foam inserts. This would make it easier to transport fresh fruits, veggies and meats that require refrigeration.
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Foam Factory, Inc. is located in Southeast Michigan, operating a facility capable of custom cutting foam shapes to any size required. The Foam Factory offers free shipping on all orders greater than $75.

Add value to your boat by replacing your boat cushions

April 16, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by The Foam Factory

The marine environment is not the ideal setting when it comes to foam products. Indeed, the humidity, heat and sea water might in time contribute to deteriorating your boat cushions. A sign that your boat cushions are worn out is to look at their appearance and texture. Generally worn out cushions would look saggy and have lost their bounciness. They would not be providing any support to the body and would have thinned out.

Apart from being quite unpleasant to look at, worn out cushions are also very uncomfortable to sit on. This discomfort is accrued if you have to spend several days at sea. A solution to this would be to go opt for a replacement of all foams on your boat. Carlo Badalamenti has worked in the foam industry for decades now. A noticeable change that a boat owner can bring to a boat is to go for a complete change of foam and seat cover.

The seat cover could be chosen in a water-resistant material such a polyester or if you are seeking to provide a luxurious look, you might even opt for real leather. Good quality faux leather would also be effective in providing a luxurious look. For the marine environment, the ideal choice of foam would be a dryfast foam. These foams consist of larger cells than regular foams. This enables them to drain out water easily.

The Foam Factory is a specialist in foam products ideal for various indoors and outdoors foam replacement projects including replacement boat cushions.

Choosing marine fabrics wisely

March 13, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by Foam Factory, Inc.

When it comes to choosing fabrics for the marine environment, there are various factors that need to be considered. This particular type of environment is known to give rise to moisture and dirt along with accelerating the propagation of mildew which deteriorate fabrics further. All fabrics have limitations in one way or another. Before purchasing a marine fabric, it would be important to consider these limitations.

For outdoor fabrics, factors such as the retardancy, UV factor, cleanability and antimicrobial properties need to be considered. It is also important to determine whether it will be used close to fresh or salt water. Salt water poses an added challenge to fabric as it is abrasive and can even corrode fabrics.

Popular materials for marine environments are vinyls, polypropylene, rayon, synthetic leather or acrylic. Irrelevant of the fabric chosen for particular application, each one would be requiring different types of and specific care and maintenance. Cleaning instructions would need to be carefully followed.

For DIY custom cushions projects, the material chosen for the cover would vary depending on your preferences. Nylon has been used for decades in the marine environment. This type of fabric is quite lightweight. Linen also offers good stability and strength. This type of fabric is also quite pleasant on hot days as it does not hold heat. Faux leather is also suitable for the marine environment. Cotton, despite being soft and comfortable is quite prone to mildew and therefore might not be particularly suited for the marine environment.

Foam Factory, Inc. specializes in foam products for various applications such as packaging foam Canada and polyurethane foam sheets.

Cleaning Boat Cushions

February 9, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by Foam Factory, Inc.

After several years of use might undeniably have started to notice that your boat cushions have been inflicted by dirt, mildew or mold. This is because these elements thrive on moisture and the marine environment is the perfect breeding ground for them. Apart from being quite unsightly, these problems also pose a health hazard. If you tend to keep your boat in the water, you might never completely get rid of mold and mildew. However, there are some actions that can be taken to clean out your boat cushions.

Carlo Badalamenti has been in the foam industry for several decades now. His company has sold various boat foams. In order to clean your boat cushions, you could first start by removing the cushions for their frame. A spot cleaning can then be carried out with the use of a sponge. After the spot cleaning, it is preferable to let the cushions dry completely to avoid the further formation of mildew. In the case where the cushions are already attacked by mildew, you could clean them by using a mixture of detergent, water and bleach. It is important not to overdose the bleach to prevent any deterioration in your cushions. The cleaning mixture can then be allowed to soak for about thirty minutes. The cushions can then be scrubbed and then rinsed thoroughly to drain out any residual detergent or bleach.

Foam Factory, Inc. specializes in foam products such as custom cushions for several outdoors applications. They also have a fast-drying foam that is ideal for boat cushion.

Upgrade your boat interiors

October 15, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

Written by Foam Factory.

After some years of use, you might start to notice that the cushions on your benches and berth have become uncomfortably saggy and sloppy. Your boat might still have some great years ahead of it, its cushions unfortunately have not been able to keep up. Boat foams are sometimes not very resistant to wear and tend to be damaged by stains, dirt, rain or seawater. If you usually spend a long time at sea, having worn-out cushions and mattresses can be frustrating. A solution to this is to change your boat foam.

If you like DIY projects, you can choose to replace your cushions yourself. This method is cost-effective and allows you to exercise control over the choice of the foam and fabric used. A good long term solution to improving the support of your cushions is to choose durable and fast-drying foams for your boat interiors. A foam manufacturing company could generally provide you with the possibility to customise the size of the foam to the dimension of your bench or boat mattress.

Carlo Badalamenti is the VP of the Foam Factory, which is a foam manufacturing and selling company that has existed since 1980. His company offers a good choice of products to facilitate your projects whether it is for your boat mattress or cushion replacements. Their specially-formulated marine foams have the property of being fast-drying and long-lasting and have the advantage of being anti-bacterial. The staff are easily available in case you have any questions regarding custom sizes and which foam to choose.

The Best Outdoor Cushions

August 14, 2014 by · Leave a Comment 

By Carlo Badalamenti

No matter where in Canada you live, everyone needs cushions for their home. Otherwise, how can you possibly get comfortable? With the right cushions, your entire home becomes that much more comfortable for you, your entire family and anyone who may be stopping over.

However, not all cushions are created the same, meaning your attempts at comfort could quickly come back to bite you in the worst ways. They could be uncomfortable or fall asleep easily and leave you in the same rut.

That’s why so many people prefer upholstery foam in Canada. You can’t beat it in terms of comfort, durability, breathability or price. Plus, whatever size or shape you need is easy to accommodate with this type of foam because it’s so malleable. So it doesn’t matter if you’re getting a custom piece of furniture done or if you have plans for reupholstering an old favorite piece.

Furthermore, you can get dry fast foam that is perfect for the outdoors. Even when the elements  try to beat up on it, this type of foam is able to fight right back.

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Canada Foam by Mail offers the types of custom outdoor cushions Canadians love and just about any foam product you could want and all at a great price. On their website, you can find countless options in terms of memory foam and the different types of mattresses. So no matter what size bed you use, you’ll find the memory foam option that works best.

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