rowing thwart cushion - recommendations?

[Thorne]

I'm finding that the old USCG-approved boat cushions get a bit hard on the nether regions after a few hours of rowing.

Are there better products out there that aren't super high-tech and super expensive? My dory skiff is very traditional-looking and I'd like to keep her that way if possible, plus I like the cushion doing double-duty as a throwable floatation device if possible.

I see that Hamilton offers a Premium USCG-approved cushion filled with Aquafoam and described as "super soft"....anybody tried one?

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,1384.htm

And here's a similar thread from this forum -
http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/archive/index.php/t-43126.html
The recommended cushion is pretty fancy-looking, but the canoe model might work well strapped to a thwart -
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/01/88/75/i018875sn01.jpg

Here's a few of the high-tech ones I could find, most for paddling, not rowing -

http://www.yakpads.com/ProdPics/canoeseat2.jpg
http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/accessories/products/Images/sealline/discovery_seat.jpg

[rbgarr]

http://tinyurl.com/254lc8

[Thorne]

Couldn't get the Skwoosh in black from resellers, couldn't get thru by phone or buy it online from Skwoosh, so I got the Yakpad from Amazon for $30 (the black one above on the beige seat, non-water-bottle model).

Will review it when I get a chance to test it out...

[Spokaloo]

Oddly enough, some of the most comfortable pads are the hardest...

Two choices Ive used is the cut-foam option:

Buy a block of closed cell at your nearest kayak/canoe/raft equipment store. Get out your big sander with a 60 or 80 grit wheel on it, and carve. Take some out, stick your butt in there, carve some more, use your "template" regularly until you get a good fit. Surprisingly comfy.

OR:

Go get a piece of 5/4 x 12 x 16 cedar, drill two hip holes, and shape according to said template above. Use your chisels or a sharpened hoof knife to cut the wood away in a keester shaped pattern, with lots of cutout for your hips and some support for your thighs. I did this on my wife's rowing skiff, turned out wonderfully. Natural looking, and if you find an uncomfy spot, you just sand it down!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/fighterama2/thames/thames2003.jpg

E

[dennyinsequim]

The grey minicell outfitting foam that Spokaloo mentions is great stuff, not real inexpensive but it can be carved / sanded to any shape and holds up great, it also won't absorb water. There is a product called dragon skin that the shop will also have that works for shaping it and leaves a nice looking suede look finish. Regular weldwood (red can) contact cement works well for glueing it to itself or anything else.

[Thorne]

The YakPad came today, certainly pretty firm -- not the soft mooshy gel that I thought it might be. Also has a strap to go around the thwart -- nice to keep it from being knocked off when moving around.