TOPIC: Life preserver throw cushions

Hello, does anyone have an idea on a approximate year for these?They came with the boat I just bought.

From what i can find, there were a lot of collectible cussions made in the 50's to 60's and were made by Elgin for Sears. And they seem to be quite collectable. And from the following article yours seems to be from 1929

Collectable Boat Cushions Part 1

Collectible Boat Cushions Part 2

Hope this helps.

krrthree wrote:

From what i can find, there were a lot of collectible cussions made in the 50's to 60's and were made by Elgin for Sears. And they seem to be quite collectable. And from the following article yours seems to be from 1929

Collectable Boat Cushions Part 1

Collectible Boat Cushions Part 2

Hope this helps.

Thanks,it does. The fellow that had this old boat believed in being prepared. When I cleaned the boat out,I found 7 cushions,6 life jackets,an O shaped life preserver,enough rope for 2 boats,two wooden paddles,a mushroom anchor,2 woven rope fenders/ bumpers,a boat hook,a brand new OMC prop,new prop nut with sheer pin and cotter pin,the bow light pennant staff,new set of spark plugs, first aid kit,cigar box full of light bulbs, bolts, screws, screwdrivers and pliers.I bet the boat will go 5 mph faster now that I cleaned it out..

The life preserver compliance rule, on the tag, is from 1929...the cushions are probably from the 50's or 60's

The tag makes reference to an act approved by the USCG, April 25,1940. Very good condition and nice find.

Melanie

Oceans2 wrote:

The tag makes reference to an act approved by the USCG, April 25,1940. Very good condition and nice find.

Melanie

Thanks Melanie, one is pretty good and the other has a 3" split and one of the handles is about torn loose on one side but is all there. I had thought about selling them, but they sure look good in the Aristo.

They look great but I doubt they would still be Coast Guard approved with the split and the torn handle. I have a 1959 Thompson with the original seat cushions. When they were new the cushions were Coast Guard approved, but after being sat on for 50 years they are still in good shape but would never pass for a life cushion. They were from back when all you needed were cushions, not wearables, on inland waters. I would hang on to yours for shows, ect.

Bill

Sorry for the double post.
Bill

EDIT

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Hi Bill - Welcome to the board. If you want to see how the thread looks after making your post, or if you want to jump back to the board, the "safest" way to prevent double posts seems to be by scrolling up to the "Forums" tab & go back in that way. It seems that when I hit the back button on my browser, I make a double post.

Regards,

Bruce Gerard

All Dunn II wrote:

They look great but I doubt they would still be Coast Guard approved with the split and the torn handle. I have a 1959 Thompson with the original seat cushions. When they were new the cushions were Coast Guard approved, but after being sat on for 50 years they are still in good shape but would never pass for a life cushion. They were from back when all you needed were cushions, not wearables, on inland waters. I would hang on to yours for shows, ect.

Bill

That's all I'd use them for, to lay in the boat maybe at a car or boat show. I have a newer Coast Guard approved cushion that goes to the lake. If I threw one of those old ones out in the water,the handles would probably rip off. LOL jim. btw Great looking boat,Bill

Nice seat cushions. I remember seeing them at sears when I was a kid. They are the same ones our niehbour had in his boat back in the 60's. Could you post a pic of your rope fenders? I am looking for some good pic so that I can make some. Thanks Skip.

skipthescrounger wrote:

Nice seat cushions. I remember seeing them at sears when I was a kid. They are the same ones our niehbour had in his boat back in the 60's. Could you post a pic of your rope fenders? I am looking for some good pic so that I can make some. Thanks Skip.

Here ya go Skip

Thanks for the pics. Thats just what I was looking for. Now the fun starts, trying to make them.