Headlining replacement

[Jimlad]

Just stripped out all the headlinings on our F&C 44 which sometime in the last 30years were recovered in Naughahide over the original 3mm ply boards.

Over this time the covers had become badly stained or just discoloured and the ply panels de-laminated or plain rotten in places where leaks had occurred from deck fittings etc..

Rather than just replace the ply panels and recover, I wonder if anyone has knowledge or experience of using plastic coated foam panels to use instead of ply? Just a bit more water/vapour resistant methinks.

The refit is taking place in the UK and I seem to remember a sheet product called ' Foamex' - used for signs and exhibition boards in the UK I think.

Anybody any thoughts on this solution??

[forsailbyowner]

I use a product for seating etc.. thats a pvc foam board. Great stuff. Easy to work, light, easy to shape with a little heat from a heat gun and can be glued together very effectively with pvc cement. It comes in thicknesses from 1/4-3/4" at the local canvas supplier. Also takes and holds staples well.

[Delancey]

Here in the states we have a brand called Sintra. It has it's place. One of the things that is nice about it is that the color is uniform throughout which is nice when cutting or drilling, which are both very easy to do.

Fairly inexpensive and will last for a thousand years in the landfill so no need to worry about rot!

I think the main problem with it is that it is not very stiff and it seems like it could sag (creep?) over time depending in the application.

If you don't have excessively large unsupported panels or if you do have camber in your headliner (where shape-strength gives you the stiffness you need) you should be fine.

For what it's worth my boat came with what I believe to be HDPE headliner panels in a similar thickness. Seems to be holding up so far. Good luck!

[Jimlad]

OK so it sounds like I have a viable idea - thanks for your input.
You don't happen to know the name of the board stock that you have used? as I may have to look up a similar product available over here.

[Terra Nova]

Re-bed the deck hardware and you can use normal boat building materials.

Lovely yacht, the F&C 44.

[Jimlad]

Thanks for the responses

Looked on the web and lo and behold the UK equivalent of Sintra is indeed Foamex.

I will use this as I have plenty of curvature in the larger athwartships panels to give me shape stability. The only flat ones are very small so no sagging envisioned.

Wondering now if I should stick an aluminium foil sheet to the top of the panels or onto the coachroof moulding to reflect some heat back up into the deck/coachroof and reduce heat onto the back of the headlinings - this sounds a bit flakey tho, and I may just be adding extra work for no benefit.

Thanks TerraNova she will be a fine boat again one day!!

After new engine, tanks, rig, electrics, plumbing etc.etc. Oh, and refurbed interior of course.

[Terra Nova]

The aluminized mylar bubble-wrap makes good insulation and UV reflector.

[bauer965]

Formica(R) sheet.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Here in the states we have a brand called Sintra. It has it's place. One of the things that is nice about it is that the color is uniform throughout which is nice when cutting or drilling, which are both very easy to do.

Fairly inexpensive and will last for a thousand years in the landfill so no need to worry about rot!

I think the main problem with it is that it is not very stiff and it seems like it could sag (creep?) over time depending in the application.

If you don't have excessively large unsupported panels or if you do have camber in your headliner (where shape-strength gives you the stiffness you need) you should be fine.

For what it's worth my boat came with what I believe to be HDPE headliner panels in a similar thickness. Seems to be holding up so far. Good luck!

Thanks for that. I've been looking for something to replace the 1" thick soft yellow foam rubber and vinyl covering I ripped out of our boat. Is this Sintra stuff like the soft foam photo mounting boards? I am trying to mentally categorize this. Is it soft enough that if you rap it with a knuckle hard it will leave a dent? Or is it tough enough that you could drop something like a screwdriver on it without leaving a hole in it?

[irwin37]

Nop, its a hard plastic and can be had at Harbor Sales for about $20 a sheet (4' x 8') is available with a satin finish.

[irwin37]

Here's a picture if the attachment works?

[maxingout]

That looks very good. I also am looking for a new headliner, and it is a bit confusing about how to proceed.

[Moufflon]

JimLad I had / have the same problem with my 33 year old wooden boat. but please remember that headliners have functions apart from looking good, mine too was headliner cloth glued onto 3mm board. not a problem for you in the UK but, here the sun scorched SE Asia a deck needs an air insulated from the cabin air to keep the inside cooler.
I now have replaced with Bamboo...No Rot! ps did the wife's car too!

Peter
Luck: 30% is plain BAD, 30% is "OMG" 20% its your Fault...9.999% yippi

[Jimlad]

Love the bamboo covered car!!
My partner now wants one.
Bamboo a bit short of supply at refit location though.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by irwin37

Nop, its a hard plastic and can be had at Harbor Sales for about $20 a sheet (4' x 8') is available with a satin finish.

$20 a sheet? That's a steal. Over here in Seattle the 3 mm stuff is $60 a sheet.