Interior Vinyl to Wood - how do I do it???

D

Darkmann

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
RO Number
28565
Messages
64
First time boater, picking up a Sea Ray 290 Sundancer tomorrow. My lovely wife doesn't care much for the all white interior and she has plans to replace some items with wood looking surfaces. I's like a lead as to who does this kind of job. I just want to enjoy the machine, but she has to be comfortable for me to truly enjoy the machine. Also, the boat comes with a TV-VHS combo which I would promptly replace with a DVD unit. Sea Ray doesn't sell a replacement kit. Is it just a matter of getting one from, say, Best-Buy, getting a mount and I'll be good to go?

Thanks so much for any help.
 
"replace some items with wood looking surfaces"

The challenge level of that statement runs all the way from using Contact paper to custom exotic wood cabinetry. Who to call also depends on which surfaces are involved. ( ie: A nice straight plane surface or something with complex curves ). In any event, a call to a dealer or two, and/or a call to a custom yacht builder might give you a few ideas. Do not jump on the first response, get personal customer references...

Note that after you get a couple of quotes, you might want to re-consider the re-decorating or consider learning the skills to do it yourself. This kind of thing is a "high margin" item for most commercial people/places that would take on the job.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive

"replace some items with wood looking surfaces"

The challenge level of that statement runs all the way from using Contact paper to custom exotic wood cabinetry. Who to call also depends on which surfaces are involved. ( ie: A nice straight plane surface or something with complex curves ). In any event, a call to a dealer or two, and/or a call to a custom yacht builder might give you a few ideas. Do not jump on the first response, get personal customer references...

Note that after you get a couple of quotes, you might want to re-consider the re-decorating or consider learning the skills to do it yourself. This kind of thing is a "high margin" item for most commercial people/places that would take on the job.

Click to expand...


High margin ! You can say that twice with a beer chaser. I dont know how one would convert bits and pieces on that sort of a boat.. Looks like a custom cabinet guy to me.. Man that has to be pricey.
 
What surfaces are you looking to recover? Makes a world of difference. Replacing vinyl wall coverings? Cabinet fronts?

As for the TV, nobody makes a marine specific TV. THey do make marine drop down DVD players. Most oem TV are standard ciruit city, best buy stuff.
 
Al Prisco does cabinetry in the off season. Don't know if it is a business or a hobby.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Darkmann

Click to expand...
My advice is to use it thru the (next) season and let your wife get used to how easy it is to clean all that white stuff...get a couple of quotes on what it will cost to do the wood stuff...then sit down and rationally have a discussion about how much gas and beer you can buy with all the money that the wood stuff would cost. I'm being serious here...its your first boat...you may get 2 foot-i-tus in the next year or two. BTW, where do you keep the boat? I am in Crisfield all the time
 
i would also be willing to bet that by the time you figure out exactly what you want to do you will be on to your next boat..

welcome to boating.
 
Yes The whole idea is to enjoy the world going by from your flybridge, She won't spend to much time below decks.
 
Try to get a TV from an RV supply store. They have special circuitry to prevent reverse polarization and surge damage, etc.

Since you and your Admiral are new to boating, I have to ask: have you taken a boating safety class? Here is a link that is helpful: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/courses.htm

Have a safe boating experience!
 
I think I'd say "yes Dear, go ahead", then stand back and let HER do the footwork... She may change her plans.
 
Why stop there.
Do what I did...
Bought the boat, and stripped the original interior before the admiral ever saw it.
First impression was WHAT DID YOU BUY? (she reached rock bottom on perspective instantly)

Grappled for common sense quickly and gave her full authority to be creative, and now she's happy, the upholsterer is happy, the boats happy, and I'm broke... but still happy boating because momma's happy (rule #1)!
 
I have a similar problem, except I want to replace the original wood panels in the cabin. I have heard of a material that is prefab fiberglass panel that already has a gelcoat finish. My goal is to eventually use te same material for the panels on the bridge and the lower deck. Does anyone know where I can find the stuff and does anyone have any feedback regarding its use for any of those applications? Thanks in advance for your response.
 
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