Hello

[Carol Delfaus]

Hello to all
We are new members to this forum. We sail a 42 ft Lagoon Catamaran. bought it last year in the Keys and sailed it up to virginia-mostly via the intercostal. Now it is in the boatyard getting extensive renovations.

The contractors who fixed several fiberglass issues, tore down the headliner in the main saloon. Now it is up to us to fix it. Basically there was glue and foam backed vinyl with pieces of covered thin wood in some places. The whole thing is like a dome. Has anyone ever tried to replace a headliner themselves? Can you use something other than fabric? Does it need insulation? Any suggestions would help.

Thanks

[skifinnatic]

How do you like your Lagoon? Can a family of 5 live aboard?

[Carol Delfaus]

We have a 1998 Lagoon-I think the newer ones are even better. I would think it much better than a 42 foot monohull for space and comfort. I do thin that with really good attitudes a family of 5 could live aboard. We use ours only for fun.

[Southern Star]

Welcome Carol. I am currently in the process of replacing similar headliner panels in my cat and would recommend the use of white frp embossed panels that are available for under $50.00 for a 4' x 8' sheet at Home Depot.

They cut easily with table/sabre saws and can be easily shaved down for an exacting fit with #40 sandpaper. The panels resemble the pattern of many molded frp headliners and, as they are frequently used in the interior of industrial refrigeration units, are well suited to the marine environment.

You can drill and screw directly into the overhead (through the inner laminate and, obviously, not past the core material). You can also purchase white plastic caps to cover the screws at various places (and quite inexpensively at Boat Parts At Surplus Unlimited. Boating accessories, marine supplies, trailer parts, gauges. We specialize in Teleflex & SeaStar steering. under the heading 'other fasteners'). In fact, they are also a good source of inexpensive s/s screws for the project. I would recommend nothing longer than 5/8" flat heads.

Plastic molding is available for seams, although I find a better finish by taping off about a 1/4" on both panels and using white, GE bathroom silicone. Pefect colour match and easy to remove/replace when you need to get at the wiring etc.

Alternatively, if the plywood is still in good shape, you can always attach the frp panels over the plywood - epoxy resin, or available at Home Depot, buckets of FRP panel adhesive that one puts on with a trawler. This will keep the curve without so many screws (although it will certainly add weight).


Brad

[David M]

Originally Posted by Carol Delfaus

Hello to all
We are new members to this forum. We sail a 42 ft Lagoon Catamaran. bought it last year in the Keys and sailed it up to virginia-mostly via the intercostal. Now it is in the boatyard getting extensive renovations.

The contractors who fixed several fiberglass issues, tore down the headliner in the main saloon. Now it is up to us to fix it. Basically there was glue and foam backed vinyl with pieces of covered thin wood in some places. The whole thing is like a dome. Has anyone ever tried to replace a headliner themselves? Can you use something other than fabric? Does it need insulation? Any suggestions would help.

Thanks

Carol,
I don't understand why it is not their responsibility to fix it like it was? If they tore it down then they should make it right. That's called properly completing a job in my book.

David

[Charlie]

Wow the FRP pannels sound good. To add a touch of tradition you can make wooden battens that match the wood in your interior to cover up the seams. My boat has done this (though w/o the FRP pannels) and it looks really nice. If you can fit insulation in the boat it is always better.

[Carol Delfaus]

thank you for the information. We will go t Home Depot and check out the material you mentioned. If I have further questions, I'll probably contact you again.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Carol,
Welcome aboard! Good to have you here and it sounds like you are getting good help already.
Kind Regards,
JohnL