New boat needs interior done, any tips??

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Re: New boat needs interior done, any tips??

OK ... I am brand new to this site ... so thanks in advance for any advice guys!

I have a 1986 Bayliner Capri. Interior is shot. Going to reupholster the seats and side panels. How the heck do you re-attach the side panels to the sides of the boat? I had to basically rip the panels out because they were screwed into the fiberglass ... but the screws were underneath the vinyl and foam with no access without tearing through the vinyl and foam. Any suggestions from someone who may have done this before?

I'm getting ready to do this sort of thing and my plan is as follows:
1. Get the plywood backing cut & shaped.
2. Drill holes where I am going to put *bolts* through the wood into the fiberglass.
3. Put an aluminum (or plywood) strip on the other side of the fiberglass - so that it will create a 'sandwich'. Use the holes drilled in the seat/side panel backing as the pattern to drill the holes into the strip.
4. Resin/Glass the plywood backing (and the strip if I end up using plywood) - taking care to glue the bolts in place (and leave holes open).
5. Do the vinyl foam thing on the plywood backing.

I'm hoping that, if I've done everything right, there are no holes in the vinyl / foam because they are placed ontop of the bolts. The sides would be installed by alligning the bolts in them with the pre-drilled holes in the boat's fiberglass and the backing strips, then a nut/washer (lock washer) on the bolt.

I have given thought to just glassing/epoxying a plywood backing strip to the inside of the cap first, then doing the predrilling. That may make installation a bit easier in that I only have one moving thing (side panel) to wrestle with instead of two (side panel and backing).

The backing strip should act like a big washer, in that it would distribute the pressure more evenly, and be less likely to have local 'breakage' like the fiberglass.

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: New boat needs interior done, any tips??

You can use the existing holes or pilot new ones. Just make sure you are using the correct legth screw as to not blow through the hull. I have ssen it done. You would be suprised how well the screws will hold in the fiberglas. Also, I have found that a finer thread screw works the best.

 

[lowkee]

Re: New boat needs interior done, any tips??

nplorson,

Thanks for getting into detail on the vinyl work. Any chance you can post some close-up photos of the corners and seams of your work? Maybe a couple of the back of a couple as well?

I really would love to mimic your approach to this as closely as possible. This thread has gotten me all excited to get to the vinyl work, where it used to be what I was fearing most.

If you could post any close-ups of anything you felt was difficult to so or used a neat 'trick' to make just right, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again!

 

[scrmnegl]

Re: New boat needs interior done, any tips??

Hey there!

I have worked at an interior shop for several years. I actually sell all the materials to redo interiors to the install shops so I know a little about this subject.

For securing the vinyl to the foam or any other surface you want to use a product brand names "Weldwood". We use a professional grade spray version at the shop but you can buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot. Apply it to both sides of the materials you are attaching it to and heat it up with a heat gun ($30) then lay it over. You don't want to over stretch the vinyl (it will be more pliable when it's warmed up) but you want to make sure it follows all the contours well. Then take a brad gun that is air powered and secure then vinyl on the back of the plywood with staples. It will be just like if you had a professional place do it for you.

Let me know if you have any other questions I may be able to help you with.

Chris