New Interior Upholstery ideas?

[Bob Lascelles]

After 8 years of smelling diesel when I try to sleep, and trying to keep the wild 1983 plaid from keeping me awake... I've finally broken down and decided I'm going to replace the interior upholstery in Vindolanda. Interior decorating is not my forte......but I'm curious if anyone on the board has any recommendation as to the best fabric choice.....not color, but weight, brand, fabric type, coatings, etc. Fabric cost is all over the lot, I'm looking for durability that matches the OEM stuff. Foam density & thickness for sleeping (original was 4 inch but I don't know about density) is another area I could use your advice. Color, well the Commander will decide....I've pulled the trigger on getting the work done but it's not too late to make changes and to benefit from the experience of collective CD brain trust. Thanks for any suggestions.

All the best
Bob

[Jim Walsh]

I went with Sunbrella products and left the choice of foam up to the pro’s who did the work. With my lifting seat backs it wasn’t practical to increase the foam thickness. There were huge books to choose a fabric from but I just wanted something durable and lacking any type of print after living with the original 1984 plaid. I had them make me some throw pillows out of a coordinated print.
All the cushions are Sunbrella “sailcloth Sahara” from their “Elements Collection” and the pillows are Sunbrella “Main Street wren”.

Rather poor photos but they were taken a week before launch in March of last year. Nothing was tidy at that time.

[Bob Lascelles]

Thanks Jim, Pictures worth a thousand words, your interior looks great. What an improvement from the 1980s plaid! I was also planning to go to a plain fabric, Sunbrella is a definite go to. Good point about the swing up backrest foam thickness. I think 25Ds have the same system as your 31, so increasing the thickness of the cushions would be a problem because the backs are used as fillers for the double berth and will need to be the same thickness as for the seats. I guess I'll just leave it to the upholsterer to decide about type and thickness of foam.

[jen1722terry]

We had our saloon cushions done in Nova Scotia. Like Jim, we stayed with the original foam thickness, but the new foam was denser and much more comfortable. Our big choice was to go with a quality, lightly textured naugahyde. We did this because we live in very high fog areas and we also have a charcoal stove for heat. The naugahyde is pretty easy to keep clean and dry.

Our V-berth cushions were critical, for we sleep there (we live aboard all summer). Gemini Marine Canvas in Rockland, ME designed 5-inch cushions with a special bottom to retard mold growth, layered interior foam for comfort and sunbrella covers for durability and stain resistance. The added thickness means we don't roll over on the fiddles. With the V insert piece, it's a quite comfortable bed if you're not overly tall.

Wasn't cheap, around $4K, but the comfot, good looks and low maintenance should last for many years and make the old 31 easier to sell when we're too old to enjoy our lovely cruiser.

Jenn and Terry McAdams
Kearsarge, NH
Mahone Bay, NS

[JD-MDR]

upholstery far reach.png

I had mine done also with Sunbrella. I'm kinda dissapointed I wanted it to be like Far Reach. I showed John's photo to the guy. He said "no problem". I hate it when they say that( it better not be a problem). He didn't do a good job. He didn't put the shape in the bottom cushions and at first he didn't even put the buttons . I made him put them in after but now its not possible to take the covers off to wash. I don't think I would anyway. Already two buttons have fallen off. The shape is nothing like Far Reach'. I thought this shop would be good because they are an established shop on main street and advertised marine work. Oh Well . I glad to have clean new cushions and nice foam . I actually thought his price was a little low $3200 for the main salon and the v-berth 8 pieces. the salon bottoms are two piece.

[gonesail]

I went with Sunbrella products and left the choice of foam up to the pro’s who did the work. With my lifting seat backs it wasn’t practical to increase the foam thickness. There were huge books to choose a fabric from but I just wanted something durable and lacking any type of print after living with the original 1984 plaid. I had them make me some throw pillows out of a coordinated print.

All the cushions are Sunbrella “sailcloth Sahara” from their “Elements Collection” and the pillows are Sunbrella “Main Street wren”.

thanks for the pictures and ideas!! I am going with the sunbrella as well. I have chosen the Heritage Alpaca fabric but will check out the Sahara. Upholstery man is totally booked now

[Bob Lascelles]

Thanks for all the good ideas. 25Ds don’t have a v-berth like 31s so I’m not going to be able to increase the foam thickness, but I think I will look into higher density. The folks that are doing my cushions mentioned how light they thought the old foam was. I use the starboard berth mostly for sleeping and it really looks it. I think I’ll explore the options available for the foam, higher density=longer life maybe better comfort?
I totally impressed by how much better and newer the interior of all your boats look with new cushions. I’m really looking forward to completing this project

[csoule13]

One vote against sunbrella for the interior. Christian Williams, known author and Ericson enthusiast, recommended against it, especially as a sleeping surface. Personal preferences are what they are, but he found that there were materials that are suited for the outdoors that had a more pleasant tactile experience to them. YMMV of course. Probably a little cheaper, too.

[JD-MDR]

One vote against sunbrella for the interior. Christian Williams, known author and Ericson enthusiast, recommended against it, especially as a sleeping surface. Personal preferences are what they are, but he found that there were materials that are suited for the outdoors that had a more pleasant tactile experience to them. YMMV of course. Probably a little cheaper, too.

That might be true. In my case I always use sheets and I carry enough sheets for all the berths. I rarely have company and those berths are never used. I do prefer the durable fabric of sunbrella and If I ever need it I can take them outside and wash them with a scrub brush and bucket of detergent

[tjr818]

There is more to Sunbrella than just Bimini material, they have some very nice soft upholstery material too.

[John Stone]

There is more to Sunbrella than just Bimini material, they have some very nice soft upholstery material too.

A that’s right. Sunbrella is the company not the material. I used a Sunbrella velvet. Very nice material. Couldn’t be happier.

[JD-MDR]

I used a Sunbrella velvet. Very nice material. Couldn’t be happier.

I noticed that. I was scared to go that fancy. I'm worried to death now about setting something dirty on it

[John Stone]

When off shore or if we are slathered with sunblock I lay a section of dura-bella or a beach towel over the settees. But that stuff is pretty tough I think. Plus, they were not making it any more so we bought the whole roll and have plenty to replace all of it if we have too.

The pilot berths have the velvet as a slip cover with the same color in the hide of the very elusive and exotic nauga underneath.

[atcowboy]

I used sunbrella from the upholstery line. I wish they had the color I wanted in the velvet line! I bought a bunch of swatches and the velvet was decadent. I think it even had a higher double run rating than the upholstery cloth.

Attached is a picture of my reupholstered folding stadium chairs thing from West Marine.

- AT