Interior Fabrics & How To Best Get Them Installed

[Sail123]

My 32 aft cabin Clipper Marine needs all new cushion covers and wall coverings where the factory had office carpet between counters and backrests up to the horizontal rub rail joint.

The foam is fine, still doing well. Looks to have been replaced not many years ago. The upholstery is way beyond shot. Decay from things laid on the benches that held moisture while in three year storage.

Figured of I let a upholstery shop get involved, I will be without my boat for weeks maybe months and I know the bill would be two to four thousand depending on the fabric we choose.

The PO tried wrapping some of the cushions in colorful sheets and tucking the balance under the cushions. Was ok but a little hit & miss

The cover idea may be a good one but something other than just sheets.

How about comforter sets? King size so there is lots of material to work with. Nice sets come with half a dozen fancy pillow cases. Purchase one comforter set for each berth and two for the v berth. Lay out the fabric upside down on a large work area like a kitchen floor and lay the cushions on them. Fold and cut as needed, sewing up the edges with carpet thread. The many extra matching sheets will work well for bedding.

The carpet on the walls? Also use the same fabric, glueing it in place with craft adhesives.

The total cost at a target or bed bath and beyond would be less than $500 and be over and done with in one weekend.

Good idea? Bad idea?

Anyone done this before and what was your result?

We are not heavy traffic people. No kids or grand kids dripping chocolate sauce on everything. I am not so much worried about stains or cleaning, but I would think the cushions could be hosed off once a year and allowed to air dry.

The comforters have a depth and strength to them because of their two layers that sandwich foam with intricate stitching.

I think it may look great after it is done, but I do not want to waste a weekend and half a grand to end up hating it and having to do it all over (the traditional way)

Image shows carpet on the wall and one area that has cushioned seating (removed in image)

Gary

 

[Steve Dion]

You may want to contact JSI (http://www.newjsi.com/cushions.aspx) or US Yacht Cushions for cushions. I would suggest that you start with everything new. You will want to use different foam for sleeping quarters vs salon (sitting).

If you want to spend some time and not a lot of money, you can glue battens to the interior hull instead of the carpet.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=887510&highlight=artboas

If you want carpet, you just need to remove the old stuff and clean the hull. The you can replace the existing stuff.

http://search.sailrite.com/?freeTex...Fabric^subCategoryName~Marine Interior Fabric

 

[kloudie1]

Many years ago, I re-lined the interior of my Spirit 23 with automobile vinyl top material.. very durable and looked great. These guys have a lot of stuff, some marine grade..
http://www.yourautotrim.com/auto.html

 

[31seahorse]

We used 3M Heavy Duty spray adhesive to install new carpet on the interior of our
P-18. Since it is a contact adhesive we had to be careful to cut and align the new pieces carefully. The fumes were bad news and a fan is important for ventilation. Once dried the fumes were not noticable.

On another project we installed vinyl to replace the carpet hull liner on an Oday30. There we used a cream type adhesive which allowed some movement to allign the pieces. It was messier, but did not smell as much.

The vinyl came from a fabric store and the carpet came from an outlet that had a roll of "boat carpet". That carpet was unbacked, easily molded, and looked fine when installed.

Sharp utility knife blades, scraper to remove old adhesive, patience, frequent breaks, and a good helper are all important to get a good result.

RE: cushions...... We thoroughly washed and rinced the foam of our cushions and dried them on the driveway for many days. I think we used a spray of fabreeze too! If the fabric is in any shape at all a person with sewing experience can use them for patterns to create a new set with the fabric of your choice. Upholstry fabric was our chioce. My wife has done wonders with three interion sets of cushions over the years and has even used vinyl to make covers for a set of cockpit cushions. A reasonably good sewing machine is a must, but usually a "professional" machine is not necessary unless you are planning to go into the business of making cushions. Best Wishes!

 

[alexco38]

Wrap a layer of "felt" on the foam will make the cushion much nicer and professional feeling. You can buy felt from fabric store.

A neat trick I learned to put foam back into cushion cover is plastic drop sheet wrap around the foam and then vacuum out the air. The foam shrink considerable so you can work it into the cover. You can leave the plastic or rip it out easily.

 

[Gail R]

Comforter material (often cotton or a cotton blend) is generally not mildew resistant and thus, not suitable for a boat. And something from Target that you threw together in a single weekend is going to look like... something from Target that you threw together in a single weekend.

You really need an acrylic fabric, and if you have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills, you can make them yourself. I used my nearly worn out cushion covers as a template and made my own for our Pearson 30. Spent around $500 bucks give or take, but it was time-consuming and took several weekends. Much new vocabulary was invented over the course of the project. Here in Maine, we have an off-season where we have time for that kind fo thing.

 

[Sail123]

Mildew resistant? So when I go to Target, I need to ask for comforter sets made for basement apartments! lol

Thanks for that heads up.

I own several ozone machines, so mold should never be an issue.

I will look for acrylic.

Comforter material (often cotton or a cotton blend) is generally not mildew resistant and thus, not suitable for a boat. And something from Target that you threw together in a single weekend is going to look like... something from Target that you threw together in a single weekend.

You really need an acrylic fabric, and if you have a sewing machine and basic sewing skills, you can make them yourself. I used my nearly worn out cushion covers as a template and made my own for our Pearson 30. Spent around $500 bucks give or take, but it was time-consuming and took several weekends. Much new vocabulary was invented over the course of the project. Here in Maine, we have an off-season where we have time for that kind fo thing.

 

[rardiH36]

Each to his/her own. But maybe do this mental image exercise to assist on your solution: Would re-upholstering your car seats/interior with comforter material and your own sewing machine yield a "I love it / want to be in it" result? Probably not.

I would say that the #1 "got my attention" factor five years ago for the purchase of my 1980 manufactured boat was the PO's interior fabric choice and the high quality of its tailoring to the cushion shape. The interior upholstery was virtually new and was very earth tone in color and texture. Maybe boring to some, but pleasant to our eye. The rest of the interior needed a lot of cosmetic upgrading. But these things I could do with basic wood refinishing skills and deep cleaning/detailing. However to get upholstery really top-notch is difficult for the DIY'er.

Five years into it, we still feel good when we are sitting in our interior. Pics of the cushions attached. Taken not too long ago.

Fabric and quality decision I think is a lot more important even than the color scheme for the exterior.

I often notice owner's fabric choices when scanning boat for sale on YachtWorld or Craigslist. Interior designers were not consulted very often. Maybe buddy's from the local watering hole instead?

 

[Sail123]

Someone help me, that "cord" sewn into every edge of the cushion is called what? I forget.

That goes a long way in making it look tailored. Not something anyone can do at home with a sewing machine and carpet thread.

Google is my friend. Looked it up, and the term is Piping and Double Piping, with Weld Cord.

Each to his/her own. But maybe do this mental image exercise to assist on your solution: Would re-upholstering your car seats/interior with comforter material and your own sewing machine yield a "I love it / want to be in it" result? Probably not.

I would say that the #1 "got my attention" factor five years ago for the purchase of my 1980 manufactured boat was the PO's interior fabric choice and the high quality of its tailoring to the cushion shape. The interior upholstery was virtually new and was very earth tone in color and texture. Maybe boring to some, but pleasant to our eye. The rest of the interior needed a lot of cosmetic upgrading. But these things I could do with basic wood refinishing skills and deep cleaning/detailing. However to get upholstery really top-notch is difficult for the DIY'er.

Five years into it, we still feel good when we are sitting in our interior. Pics of the cushions attached. Taken not too long ago.

Fabric and quality decision I think is a lot more important even than the color scheme for the exterior.

I often notice owner's fabric choices when scanning boat for sale on YachtWorld or Craigslist. Interior designers were not consulted very often. Maybe buddy's from the local watering hole instead?

 

[onecoolair]

My 32 aft cabin Clipper Marine needs all new cushion covers and wall coverings where the factory had office carpet between counters and backrests up to the horizontal rub rail joint.

The foam is fine, still doing well. Looks to have been replaced not many years ago. The upholstery is way beyond shot. Decay from things laid on the benches that held moisture while in three year storage.

Figured of I let a upholstery shop get involved, I will be without my boat for weeks maybe months and I know the bill would be two to four thousand depending on the fabric we choose.

The PO tried wrapping some of the cushions in colorful sheets and tucking the balance under the cushions. Was ok but a little hit & miss

The cover idea may be a good one but something other than just sheets.

How about comforter sets? King size so there is lots of material to work with. Nice sets come with half a dozen fancy pillow cases. Purchase one comforter set for each berth and two for the v berth. Lay out the fabric upside down on a large work area like a kitchen floor and lay the cushions on them. Fold and cut as needed, sewing up the edges with carpet thread. The many extra matching sheets will work well for bedding.

The carpet on the walls? Also use the same fabric, glueing it in place with craft adhesives.

The total cost at a target or bed bath and beyond would be less than $500 and be over and done with in one weekend.

Good idea? Bad idea?

Anyone done this before and what was your result?

We are not heavy traffic people. No kids or grand kids dripping chocolate sauce on everything. I am not so much worried about stains or cleaning, but I would think the cushions could be hosed off once a year and allowed to air dry.

The comforters have a depth and strength to them because of their two layers that sandwich foam with intricate stitching.

I think it may look great after it is done, but I do not want to waste a weekend and half a grand to end up hating it and having to do it all over (the traditional way)

Image shows carpet on the wall and one area that has cushioned seating (removed in image)

Gary

Contact Sailrite....They can help you with everything you want to do. I found them very helpful with my projects. I finially broke down last year and bought one of their sewing machines . Man what a difference when you are using the right tools!!

 

[Sail123]

Thanks for the heads up about SailRite. I already knew of them, but I did not know everything about them. With their help , looks like the way to go for me.

Contact Sailrite....They can help you with everything you want to do. I found them very helpful with my projects. I finially broke down last year and bought one of their sewing machines . Man what a difference when you are using the right tools!!

 

[centerline]

Someone help me, that "cord" sewn into every edge of the cushion is called what? I forget.

That goes a long way in making it look tailored. Not something anyone can do at home with a sewing machine and carpet thread.

Google is my friend. Looked it up, and the term is Piping and Double Piping, with Weld Cord.

piping and welt cord....

I think the comforter idea is good as far as ideas go, but I dont think you would be happy covering your cushions with the quality of something that is not made for traffic of any sort, but is just supposed to be a pretty covering.
the fluffy stuff that makes it all look good and comfy will break down quickly with any real use and the stitching and threads will start coming apart within the first month..... a quality covering will be cheaper in the long run and with better care than was given to the original set, it will last many years... ya dont have to get the best, top dollar stuff, but about halfway between there and the comforter will be a better deal for your purpose

 

[Sail123]

Went to an auction some months back, and got the bid on a bunch of white sheets. Hundreds of them. For this sailing season, I believe I will wrap all the foam in white sheets, and look for a long term solution over the winter.