What to do with a big floating shoe?

[TooCoys]

Someone once commented that motor yachts look like big floating shoes, and ever since I've heard that, I can't un-see it.

So this is our big floating shoe. It wouldn't be my first boat choice, but financial limitations and a very opinionated and unrelenting spouse dictated that it was the only choice I had. We've lived aboard it for 3 years now, and this year we've done about $20K worth of work to it, the bulk of which was installing a new generator. We've done a few things like added travertine tile to the galley backsplash, but overall it still lacks character for me. I love the warmth that all the wood in trawlers and sailboats bring to the interior. Our big shoe has a lot of institutional grade, beige toned fiberglass, and vinyl covered walls.

One of the things I'd like to do is remove the vinyl covering from the wall behind the TV, and add a wood veneer with a nice warm finish to it. But I know that there are other things we could do as well. We're also discussing the possibility of pulling up the bamboo flooring and changing it out for something else.

Does anyone have any "home improvement" projects that you've done to the interior of your boat? Suggestions for ours? Additionally, do you have any tips to offer for doing such projects?

TIA!

[Sailmonkey]

I can’t think of much to offer other than some fancy argyle socks to go with your shoe!

Maybe a stripe along the hull below the rubrail to take the eye away from the shape?

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Maybe a stripe along the hull below the rubrail to take the eye away from the shape?

Hull painting will be in a few years. We've been discussing hull colors for everything under the rub rail.

I was more or less asking about interior upgrades.

[rslifkin]

Honestly, that interior doesn't strike me as being nearly as cheap and plasticky looking as many of the modern bulgy shaped boats. Maybe a little darker finish on the floor or something to make it more interesting than just a bunch of wood with no lines to break it up would help, but in general the wood flooring is good.

You've already got plenty of wood trim to break up the flat, light colored surfaces. Maybe some wood trim around the doorway in the picture would help.

[Sailmonkey]

For the interior id be tempted to add some dark color, maybe a dark blue around the steps as an accent.

[JPA Cate]

Interesting, I was thinking it really needs a splash of color. Perhaps a bright, clear red that goes well with both the navy blue and white, and the tan of the banquette.

I would not add veneer in back of the TV, because it is going to be difficult to get something that will go well with the bright-finished cupboard also hanging there.

Imo, it looks nice, just a little sterile.

Ann

[LoudMusic]

The thing that really gets me about boaters is this need to add enclosed space "outside". It's bad on sailboats, but it's horrendous on motor boats.

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

The thing that really gets me about boaters is this need to add enclosed space "outside". It's bad on sailboats, but it's horrendous on motor boats.

Are you talking about the eisenglass enclosure?

[Tetepare]

What rslifkin said. Looks a lot better than I expected.

You’ll never get back any money you put into it, so instead save that money toward a Hatteras 52.

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

You’ll never get back any money you put into it, so instead save that money toward a Hatteras 52.

If you knew how much I paid for it, you'd think otherwise.

[Superseapig]

Looks nice for listing. I like the bamboo floor.

Don't know how The Buddha and The Bowl are going to fare out of port.

Ali
(fellow Seabrook "sailor")

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by Superseapig

Looks nice for listing. I like the bamboo floor.

Don't know how The Buddha and The Bowl are going to fare out of port.

Ali
(fellow Seabrook "sailor")

Those were the “listing” photos, although we didn't buy it through a broker. We leased it for 11 months before buying it privately.

The Buddha and the bowl are secured with silicone. They actually fair pretty well out of the slip.

If you sail through LYC I bet I watch y’all sail every time you go out. We dock right across from their schooling boats.

[OS2Dude]

I like the color of the bamboo floor. If you go too dark it begins to look and feel like a cave. You could try painting an accent color on a bulkhead, or put bead-board up behind the settee backs and stain it a similair color as the floor.

[Narfi]

clutter or busy is stressful, sterile doesn't feel homey......

It looks nice, how about a nice framed picture of kids or grandkids or dearly departed pet on the wall under the bowl. Alternativly a painting with your colors of choice in the same place to liven it up?

[19thol]

Overall it looks pretty nice to me. I like your idea of wood behind the tv, or maybe a woven material similar to the bottom of the tray sitting on the hassock.