Dougcole
Guru
Hi All,
I am in the process of replacing all of the peeling, deteriorated vinyl in the forward cabin of our Mainship 400. It's a big, challenging job, but I am following the lead of a couple of other TFers who went before me (shout out to New Trawler Owner).
The worst section of the old vinyl from a condition standpoint, and also from a reinstall aspect, is the areas that covered the hull sides next to the bed. This was vinyl over open cell foam. I was not glued to the hull. Mainship installed the vinyl first, then put the cabinetry over the top of it. Apparently on some Mainships they screwed the cabinets on, but on my boat they are screwed AND glued. There is no way to remove them without doing major damage.
I have all of the old vinyl, including the headliner out now but I won't be back down to the boat until week after next to start the install.
I am now considering painting the hull sides instead of applying foam and vinyl there. So it would be vinyl everywhere from the vertical bottom sides of the soffits up, and white painted glass below that. Here is my reasoning, and I wonder what your thoughts are.
1. I suddenly am somewhat short on time and brain power. This week my port fuel tank started leaking again (I had it repaired in 2018, but now it is toast), which means I have another very large, very expensive project that has jumped up to the top of the priority list. We plan to leave for our two month Bahamas trip in late May, so I am getting nervous about getting everything done.
2. Over the years I grew to HATE the old peeling vinyl on the hull sides and when I pulled it down it was even nastier than I thought. I question its durability in a high traffic spot like the hull sides. Bare glass would be much easier to clean and have an infinite lifespan.
3. Since my cabinets will not come out, it limits my attachment options for the vinyl. I am concerned about how the hull side covering part of the install will go. I think I can do it, but by the time I do staple strips quarter rounds etc, it may not look as good as I hoped. The painting option will leave some gaps that will need to be covered with trim, but I am a MUCH better finish carpenter than a vinyl installer. I could easily mill some nice wood trim to cover the gaps.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Here are pics.
I am in the process of replacing all of the peeling, deteriorated vinyl in the forward cabin of our Mainship 400. It's a big, challenging job, but I am following the lead of a couple of other TFers who went before me (shout out to New Trawler Owner).
The worst section of the old vinyl from a condition standpoint, and also from a reinstall aspect, is the areas that covered the hull sides next to the bed. This was vinyl over open cell foam. I was not glued to the hull. Mainship installed the vinyl first, then put the cabinetry over the top of it. Apparently on some Mainships they screwed the cabinets on, but on my boat they are screwed AND glued. There is no way to remove them without doing major damage.
I have all of the old vinyl, including the headliner out now but I won't be back down to the boat until week after next to start the install.
I am now considering painting the hull sides instead of applying foam and vinyl there. So it would be vinyl everywhere from the vertical bottom sides of the soffits up, and white painted glass below that. Here is my reasoning, and I wonder what your thoughts are.
1. I suddenly am somewhat short on time and brain power. This week my port fuel tank started leaking again (I had it repaired in 2018, but now it is toast), which means I have another very large, very expensive project that has jumped up to the top of the priority list. We plan to leave for our two month Bahamas trip in late May, so I am getting nervous about getting everything done.
2. Over the years I grew to HATE the old peeling vinyl on the hull sides and when I pulled it down it was even nastier than I thought. I question its durability in a high traffic spot like the hull sides. Bare glass would be much easier to clean and have an infinite lifespan.
3. Since my cabinets will not come out, it limits my attachment options for the vinyl. I am concerned about how the hull side covering part of the install will go. I think I can do it, but by the time I do staple strips quarter rounds etc, it may not look as good as I hoped. The painting option will leave some gaps that will need to be covered with trim, but I am a MUCH better finish carpenter than a vinyl installer. I could easily mill some nice wood trim to cover the gaps.
Please let me know your thoughts.
Here are pics.