Do you DECORATE your boat, and HOW?

[TheThunderbird]

Decoration: the Art of upgrading your boat-look, both on/under deck, with fancy, elegant,obviously safe and not-obnoxious details aiming at various FEEL-GOOD effects, as below:

- this is My Boat
- on board I am free to experiment
- I like it! Not any more white plastics, shining chrome layers, ordinary finish/materials
- that's a memory of That Place
- I made it! Or, a great craftsman made it for me
- I can take it away whenever I want..

OK, I do not mean adhesive plasters, or fridge magnets...

But, I happened to revolutionize interiors, and keep doing it...
E.g.
New table, in exotic wood, of different shape and size (smaller!!, and how dumb are rectangular tables on board!!), and now on a different position too... is an example..

Die-cast art deco ballerinas (dancers) glued on wood panels

Cooler box and cordura angling bags on deck, to provide extra storage (ropes, lines, hoses...)

So many details in wood or SS for practical use, all around, e.g. leather-finish on handles...

Some new tiles around kitchen, and antique mirrors, and bed curtains, and....shower box decors (waterproof leather)
Last idea is to fix a squared wooden open box on deck to stowe dinghy (rolled up) in some more elegant way than usual.

Please, let me know if anyone is foolish alike :-) and do provide your own experience (or.. temptations) about it all

And yes, I am more prone to aesthetics than to functionality, in a way... (Soo what?) boating must remain a personal pleasure, so far safety is not dented, isn't it!?

Boats used to sport works of art, paintings, custom features (bronze), and memoirs from distant places...so it is nothing new, just a forlorn attitude vs. wishing to show carbon fiber wheels or labelled glasses and fender covers...(all things I can't stand...)

[D&D]

Our Admiral is very keen indeed for our beloved vessel to look good...and our product range -- We only promote products we use ourselves on board -- reflects the 'fruits' of her efforts. Decorative ideas include...

• ENJOY (the best, real wax) flameless candles...safe, good for night-watchkeeping, beautiful, convenient (with automatic timers) and very realistic ENJOY Flameless Candles, Floating Impressions
• beautiful cushions, including our own hard-wearing, washable and exclusive nautical lines Cushions, Floating Impressions
• exclusive artistic creations Mojo Creations, Floating Impressions Original Artwork, Floating Impressions
• fun flags Splice The Mainbrace Flags, Floating Impressions
• plus many practical items that are also very decorative, e.g. high quality unbreakable polycarbonate drinks and table ware, BBQ's, solar panels, ...and much more!

If you are interested, we would be happy to offer some suggestions tailored around the specific 'look' of your vessel. PM us with a photo.

So as you can see Thunderbird, we whole heartedly join you in embracing the 'feel good' effects you note.

Wishing you fair winds and following seas whenever you are afloat...and safety and good health always.

[Flint]

Is this what you mean....I painted this on my Genoa last summer

[TheThunderbird]

WOW Flint...!!! How did you get it!? It looks tribal, native American or from aborigines :-)

I mean... today I embarked two golden frames to host mirrors in the companionway. They are 200+ yo

I found some fossils ranging from 60m to 220million years ago, and have them around (fixed).

Hatches will have brand new massive wood finish rim... (ANY boat sports just plywood...)

Considering the interest into THIS post, I assume people have little interest in upgrading boat into the realm of artistic pleasure, or aesthetics...,... nor just simple curiosity :-P

[Stu Jackson]

We don't "do" TV on the boat. We found a beautiful and soothing picture/painting of a gaggle of small sailboats cruising into a harbor and framed it nicely and mounted it on the bulkhead.

KISS, we simply hate trinkets and clutter, on the boat and at home.

[TheThunderbird]

Pirates thought otherwise!

Any boat should sport a painting, imo

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by Flint

Is this what you mean....I painted this on my Genoa last summer

Flint, just curious, what kind of paint did you use and how is it adhering to the genoa?

Nice design by the way.


S/V B'Shert

[Flint]

Hi Tbird & Tayana

It's fabric paint I bought at Michael's Crafts. I traced the outline of the image onto the sail by hand then filled in working it vigorously with a round tipped brush. Let it dry in the sun for a day, then flipped it over and did the other side.

At the end of the season it still looked great. No peeling or flecking at all. The Walrus does have a roller furling so that may have helped.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by Flint

Hi Tbird & Tayana



It's fabric paint I bought at Michael's Crafts. I traced the outline of the image onto the sail by hand then filled in working it vigorously with a round tipped brush. Let it dry in the sun for a day, then flipped it over and did the other side.



At the end of the season it still looked great. No peeling or flecking at all. The Walrus does have a roller furling so that may have helped.

Thanks, Flint, looking good.


S/V B'Shert

[sailorchic34]

I took a waterproof chart and glued it to the salon table and then varnished over it. I also used a south pacific chart as wall paper, placing it on the bulkhead between the main cabin and head. Really brightened up the cabin.

Of course new curtains "Tropical Parrot" and new Salon covers, re-varnishing interior wood, etc.

[charliehows]

I used a local harbour chart for wallpaper around my nav station - looks great and quite handy for a quick look if i'm thinking of anchoring somewhere new. I treat every little job that comes up as an opportunity to improve on the aesthetics of the boat as well. What i love is the need to work within a very restricted form - boats have a long history and tradition as well as being a very limited canvas, so its quite a challenge to improve and innovate without slipping into kitsch or just overdone. But the fun is in using beautiful materials - wood, steel, copper, rope, leather - to their best advantage but in keeping with the look and purpose of the boat. Love it when an old salt stops by to comment on some pleasing little detail, almost as much as when i overhear some gussied up lubber describe it as a 'dirty old boat'

[barnakiel]

I do not decorate our boat but I like to see other boats decorated. I think it is pretty cool when a boat looks like a place where there are humans onboard.

I sometimes use tokens, sort of like a well dressed man may be wearing a fine tie or a watch, to show their pedigree and class. So you will find Andersen winches, North sails, as well as bronze (chromed) cleats on our deck. Small details that tell the story to the discerning eye.

There are many ways to decorate a boat. Sure decorate yours.

b.

[CaptTom]

First off, I'm not a finish carpenter by any means, although I did work as one for a summer or two. I tend to focus on the mechanical and functional parts, and hate the detail of finish work.

That said, I'm kinda proud of some improvements I've made. I found a place (front panel express dot com) that makes control panels to your specs. You design them on the computer and send the design file to them. I made two small ones for my electrical panel area, and one big one for the engine controls on the flybridge:


I'm also getting into working with PVC board (Starboard, Azek, etc.)

I made a mounting table for our new grill that attaches to an aft railing, and a stowage compartment to fill a hole a PO left in the flybridge bulkhead.

[HappyMdRSailor]

A little art deco, pinup style... Dingy inspectors and converted wall sconces from Depot...

[TheThunderbird]

Originally Posted by charliehows

I used a local harbour chart for wallpaper around my nav station - looks great and quite handy for a quick look if i'm thinking of anchoring somewhere new. I treat every little job that comes up as an opportunity to improve on the aesthetics of the boat as well. What i love is the need to work within a very restricted form - boats have a long history and tradition as well as being a very limited canvas, so its quite a challenge to improve and innovate without slipping into kitsch or just overdone. But the fun is in using beautiful materials - wood, steel, copper, rope, leather - to their best advantage but in keeping with the look and purpose of the boat. Love it when an old salt stops by to comment on some pleasing little detail, almost as much as when i overhear some gussied up lubber describe it as a 'dirty old boat'

Rope, mainly that looking like hemp/juta, stays fresh, and adds a nice look.
My second anchor is secured to the toe rails with this.

Dutch work-boats and lancers sport it on bow... :-)

Leather, if thick, remains fresh, tidy, soft even when used outdoor, though many 'experts' believe otherwise (wrong!)