We are redoing the upholstery in our hunter 30 and are debating beteween a gray microfiber or a beige marine vinyl. Photoshop mockups are attached. What one do you like better?
New Upholstery Opinion
- Thread starter nickroskam
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My personal preference is for Microfiber rather than Marine Vinyl for upholstery, bot in a little darker Beige. But your personal preference is what counts. Microfiber may wear more than a fabric.
Here's someone who just went through this issue
http://sundownersailsagain.com/ultrasuede-slipcovers-boat-cushions/
You can scroll back a few pages in their blog to see earlier choices.
It is NOT what we like, it's what YOU like.
Your boat, your choice.
That said, I'm a proponent of standard blue with gold flecks on cushions down below, just a traditionalist. It took me years to learn to like gray. I still hate green - hulls, cushions and sail covers. White's nice, but off white's even better.
You'll see by reading the blog that answers to the same question varied all over the place. And you only gave us two options!
http://sundownersailsagain.com/ultrasuede-slipcovers-boat-cushions/
You can scroll back a few pages in their blog to see earlier choices.
It is NOT what we like, it's what YOU like.
Your boat, your choice.
That said, I'm a proponent of standard blue with gold flecks on cushions down below, just a traditionalist. It took me years to learn to like gray. I still hate green - hulls, cushions and sail covers. White's nice, but off white's even better.
You'll see by reading the blog that answers to the same question varied all over the place. And you only gave us two options!
Color aside, vinyl below is sticky. Microfiber breathes, and it will clean up about the same as vinyl.
As for the charcoal, My simple answer is no.
Unlike Stu, I abhor the traditional Pacific Blue sail cover/upholstery/anything sunbrella or cloth... It makes an old boat look older, and a neglected boat look even worse. This just to my eye.
I agree with him fully on this point though: it is your boat, do what YOU want in the end of it all. I used a faux-leather distressed bomber-jacket microfiber. Many might hate it but it looks good to me...
As for the charcoal, My simple answer is no.
Unlike Stu, I abhor the traditional Pacific Blue sail cover/upholstery/anything sunbrella or cloth... It makes an old boat look older, and a neglected boat look even worse. This just to my eye.
I agree with him fully on this point though: it is your boat, do what YOU want in the end of it all. I used a faux-leather distressed bomber-jacket microfiber. Many might hate it but it looks good to me...
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Hello! This is Dani from the blog you linked above. I wanted to come see what all the traffic was about. I hope the blog post was helpful, as it was a hard choice to make.Here's someone who just went through this issue
http://sundownersailsagain.com/ultrasuede-slipcovers-boat-cushions/
You can scroll back a few pages in their blog to see earlier choices.
You'll see by reading the blog that answers to the same question varied all over the place. And you only gave us two options!
I wanted to further report that I have finished the slipcovers for all of the cushions and I couldn't be happier with the lighter color and I LOVE the ultra-suede (premium microfiber) fabric. I already got some grease from my car on one which came off easily with a lightly soaped warm rag.
I am impressed. However personally I would opt for a premium microfiber like ultrasuede or even ultra-leather (faux suede, faux leather). I have heard nothing but good reviews about these brands but have heard many negative reviews about other microfibers.
The price tag on Ultra-suede and Ultra-leather is high though but you can find some great deals on Ebay. If you want to save on cost also you can do the bottom panel in a cheaper material while leaving the top the premium.
Anyways, Just my two cents. Good luck with your choice!
I would never use vinyl except on the underside where it contacts any fiberglass.
Only use plastic zippers.
No cotton in the fabric.
Use different foam where you sleep vs where you sit.
Good quality fabric have abrasion ratings. Look for something with high values.
I would not use anything that is a plain color. They tend to show stains more. We have a beige microfiber in our HV'36 and there are several stains.
You may want to check out a site like this for some additional advise.
http://www.tiffersupholstery.com/guide_to_upholstery_fabrics
Only use plastic zippers.
No cotton in the fabric.
Use different foam where you sleep vs where you sit.
Good quality fabric have abrasion ratings. Look for something with high values.
I would not use anything that is a plain color. They tend to show stains more. We have a beige microfiber in our HV'36 and there are several stains.
You may want to check out a site like this for some additional advise.
http://www.tiffersupholstery.com/guide_to_upholstery_fabrics
Ultrasuede Interior.
strange that this comes up.. I just now walked into the house, having been at the boat draping Ultrasuede to make sure our color choice is right. The cloth feels very nice and the literature has very high abrasion numbers and it breathes nicely..Next step is to send it to Bob and Marcie at USYC to get a new set made up.. They have the patterns for the 34 and the pictures of their work looks great. Going with bolster style instead of the old button tufted stuff.. The move away from the old indigo should brighten the interior a bit..
strange that this comes up.. I just now walked into the house, having been at the boat draping Ultrasuede to make sure our color choice is right. The cloth feels very nice and the literature has very high abrasion numbers and it breathes nicely..Next step is to send it to Bob and Marcie at USYC to get a new set made up.. They have the patterns for the 34 and the pictures of their work looks great. Going with bolster style instead of the old button tufted stuff.. The move away from the old indigo should brighten the interior a bit..
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Thanks to everyone for all the great tips and advice. We're gonna go with the gray in an Ultrasuede/Microfiber material. Ill post pictures once its done later this spring.
I'd go with the blue. Cloth is better than vinyl IMHO. We went with blue and love the warmth.
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Vinyl.
Vinyl.
Vinyl.
I really don't think anyone is considering this. (Except on the back).
1960 is SO over....
Vinyl.
Vinyl.
I really don't think anyone is considering this. (Except on the back).
1960 is SO over....
Good choice on the color. I think the gray has a richer and more modern look with the teak and is probably the more practical choice too. I seem to have chosen a color kind of in between your two choices. Taupe.
As for vinyl vs fabric. They both have their pros and cons. It's a matter of weighing which is best for you. I went with vinyl for the ease of cleaning since we often put wheeled picnic coolers on the starbd sitee behind the rail and we are in a generally cooler climate where stickiness is less often an issue.
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We just ordered new cushions as well on our 290, and went with the light beige vinyl. Really brightens up the cabin.
My wife is almost at the last cushion of the 26 in the boat on completely redoing them. It has been her winter project at home We have a Sailrite LZ-1 which makes it easier. We tool about 4 weeks deciding on fabrics, abrasion rate , breathability etc and decided on a nice dark blue with red flecks Polyester with 10% cotton from Franklin fabrics. We waited till it went on sale as we also ewaited for the new foam to go on sale. We chose the dark fabric as our C&C 35 interior is almost all teak and it compliments its richness. It will be like having a whole new baot inside and the new foam will make sleeping/ sitting great. It was a great learning experience too. I used to think the buttons were just decorative and a pain in the ass, but now I realkize how they prevent wrinlkling of fabric.
We were quoted well over $3000 to do the project. It will cost us less than $1000. Made much easier by the machine, which we bought 7 years ago to make the bimini and dodger and also do minor restitching of the sails after each seasons use.
I am so thankful she is good at sewing.
Dave
We were quoted well over $3000 to do the project. It will cost us less than $1000. Made much easier by the machine, which we bought 7 years ago to make the bimini and dodger and also do minor restitching of the sails after each seasons use.
I am so thankful she is good at sewing.
Dave
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