Conference vicki::boats

    Dean, where are you located?  I'm currently in MK2 although I also
    work in Salem (live in Brookline).  I have some pictures of the
    work that Mike's Custom Upholstery did on my '65 Century Resorter.
    Really came out nice (my opinion).  Cost about $350 to redo the
    front and rear seats and the inboard engine "doghouse".  He used
    marine grade upholstery and can match your original pattern if enough
    of the interior is left.  He also used all new foam cushions on
    mine (mice had chewed up the old).  You may not need that.  I
    can show you the pictures if you wish.
    Wayne

    
    Dean,
    See also notes 241, 300, and 382.
    
    
    Rick

    
    Can anyone recommend a good (and cheap) source of outdoor carpeting
    in the Eastern MA or Southern NH area?  I need a 6'x12' piece of blue 
    carpeting to re-do my father's boat.  Either astroturf or felt type 
    will do fine.
    
    thanks,
    Rick

    
    Hey Rick,
    
    	I think Builder's Square in Nashua (used to be a food store on
    Amherst St.) had it in stock a pretty reasonable prices.
    
    Rick

    Thanks Rick, I'll check out Builder's Square.  Hadn't thought
    of them.
    
    Rick

Rick (W.) ... lemme know how you make out.  I might be looking to replace the
carpet in my boat, too.

...Roger...

    Rick, there is also a "Discount Carpet" store on Broad street,Nashua
    (the street that Nashua Mall is on) right next to the railroad tracks
    and next to Dairy Queen.  I've never been inside but the place looks
    like it has a VERY low overhead.  The place is like a "JR Discounters".
    Wayne

    
    I replace the flooring in my boat with the indoor/outdoor stuff from
    Builders Square. Came out pretty good and cost less than $15.
    
    Doug.

    
    How did you install it?  I have a boat that has a fiberglass floor in
    one section and my kids are always slipping on it when they get back in
    the boat from swimming.
    
    

I checked out the carpeting at Builder's Square last night.  They've got
blue "astroturf" type carpeting on sale (until April 16) for $3.24 per 
linear foot from a 12' wide roll.  It's specifically marked as being for 
marine use.  I can recarpet the 5'x11' interior of my Dad's boat with this
stuff for $16.20.  It comes in a bright blue, a very dark blue, and I
think green although I didn't really look closely at it.

They've also got some gray indoor-outdoor carpet that looks similar to the 
short-nap carpet they're using in a lot of new boats.  It was around $6 per
linear foot (also 12' wide) and looks a lot nicer than the astroturf stuff.
I may go for this instead and just change the interior color to gray when I 
reupholster it.

RE: .9 
Builder's Square has a special double sided tape for securing indoor/outdoor
carpeting.  I'll probably stick with the tried and true spray can of trim
and upholstery adhesive.

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Rick

    
    Re .9
    
    I pulled out the seats and all securing straps, pulled out the old
    carpet, layed down the new carpet, and replaced all the straps and
    seats. Less than 2 hours.
    
    Doug.

    If you want to add carpeting to a fiberglass floor deck I would install
    snaps on the carpet and floor deck so that you could remove the carpet
    easily. Many boats with fiberglass liners come that way when they want
    to offer carpeting. Having installed carpet in one boat I did the same
    as .11 and it worked well. I also had a bow rider with glued down
    carpet over resin coated plywood. The coating cracked and water got
    into the plywood causing soft spongy areas requiring the floor deck
    to be replaced in only three years. The boat needed a mooring cover
    to keep the water from running down the windshield and under the bow
    cover. This is common to most bow riders on the market. Some like
    4WINNS have a lip completely around the bow area to help prevent this.
    
    
    Wayne 

    I wonder at the modern design of some boats.  Boats should be able to
    resist routine water exposure, such as rain or spray. It seems many of
    the modern boats look modern but aren't too durable when it comes to
    real life boating situations.
    
    Yeah, I have an older wooden boat that doesn't have carpet to worry
    about.
    
    Jeff

Hey Wayne(.1)...can you give me the number of the place you had your upholstery
done (you said in .1 that it was Mike's Custom Upholstery)?  I stopped at an
upholstery place in Westboro (Mass.) yesterday and asked the guy how much it
would cost to have 2 cushions (about 50"w x 15"h x 3"d) made up for the back
seat of my '65 CC Mustang.  He hemmed and hawed a bit, checked out my old
cushions, then says, "Uh, $275 for both cushions, marine fabric with zippers for
cushion removal when they get wet, etc."  I looked at him, nodded calmly and
said, "Oh, OK, thanks for your time" and beat feet.  I thought that was a bit
high!  Plus he says, "3-4 weeks", and he wants me to leave the back seat with
him, which would mean my gas tank and most of the rear flooring would be
exposed.  Not likely!

Anybody know where I can get some foam that I can cut up and maybe just wrap up
with cloth while the real cushions are being made?  I know I won't get 'em done
in a day, but I figured I'd just toss something usable (and somewhat decent
looking) back there until I get the ones I want done.

...Roger...

    
    Roger,
    A few years ago I bought enough foam to build two complete
    bench seats at Building 19, for around $30.  It was about 
    one fourth the price I got at an upholstery supply store.
    
    Rick

    Roger, the correct name is Mike's Custom Kanvas, 734 West Hollis
    Street, Nashua.  The number is: 603-880-7998.  He had to do all new 
    foam for mine cause the mice had used most of the original for nests.
    I had to leave my original seats with him because the upholstery is
    stapled to the plywood frames.  If you just need cushions made, I'm
    sure he can take the measurements.  He also does custom bimini tops,
    mooring covers, etc.  I can't vouch for his turnaround time because
    his upholsterer drove a screw driver thru his sewing wrist right after
    taking my seats and doghouse apart.  I decided to keep the boat out of
    the water that summer and wait for the guy's wrist to heal rather than
    have someone who didn't see what they looked like before they came
    apart work on them.  I think I got them back 4 months later but I
    wasn't rushing them.  I would send you the pictures but I have been
    unable to get them back from Dean Hamel (Dean, are you reading this?).
    
    Note: Mike's Kanvas uses marine grade naugahyde (sp?) which is much
    thicker and durable than standard auto vinyl.  Make sure wherever you
    go they quote you for marine grade.  Many colors to choose from.
    Wayne

Thanks, guys.  I'll probably check Bldg. 19, since there's one not too far from
my house.  Also, the guy at the upholstery shop did show me "marine-grade" stuff
which is probably why it was so expensive.  I happened to see a "23.50"
scribbled in pencil on the top of the page of swaths the guy showed me ... my
guess is that was the price per sq. yard for the stuff (no doubt except for the
colors *I'd* want!).  Pretty serious change!

Maybe I'll give Mike's a buzz and see if he can give me some ballpark figures,
both time and $$$$.  'Tis the busy season, I reckon...

I also have a lead (from another reader of this conference who happens to sit
in the next office!) on where I might get some foam for making my own
(temporary) cushions.  I'll let y'all know what I find out.

...Roger...

    Roger, I just located my slip from Mike's.  Here are some of the
    charges:
    
    6.5 yards of material = $137.50 (about $21.15/yard)
    4 foam blocks = $90.00 ( $22.50 each)
    Labor = $190
    Total = $417.50
    
    These were 1988 prices.
    Wayne

    I'm tellin' ya roger.. go buy some lawn-chair cushions and have Tina
    'modify' them... 8^)
    
    ...tom

    Roger, ya know I was thinking about this after I realized how much I
    had spent, especially on the cost per yard for the material.  If your
    cushions come out so you can dry them when they get real wet, maybe you
    don't need to go with marine grade.  Maybe you don't need to go with
    vinyl at all.  You wouldn't stick to lawn chair cushions.  Good idea
    and alot less money.  Maybe not original but your boat's a user, right?
    I get paranoid everytime someone has to step on my seats to get in the
    boat.
    Wayne

I'll tell ya, you guys are one creative lot.  I didn't get to Buidling #19 last
night, but when I do I might just have to wander through the lawn chair area and
check this out.  :-)

Also got a good tip from Mike Smith on a place in Framingham that carries foam
and fabric (I checked the yelow pages, Mike, and I think the name of this fabric
place is "The Fabric Place" ... pretty original, eh? :-)) ... they're at 136
Howard St., at least according to the '88-'89 yellow pages I have in my office.
I'll probably stop by this weekend and check 'em out.

RE: Wayne ... thanks for the details.  Sounds like my guesstimate of $23.50/yd
wasn't too far off.  If I do resort to having them made, I'll definitely give 
Mike's a buzz.

...Roger...

    Moved by moderator...
    
================================================================================
Note 899.0             1978 Bayliner Upholstery, where???             No replies
HOTWTR::DUNCAN_RI                                     5 lines  20-AUG-1991 12:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am looking for a source to provide upholstery material for my 1978
    27' Bayliner Command Bridge.  I tore a small hole in the original (like
    new) seat cushion and I do not want a complete color/fabric change.  I
    would like to match the original.  The Bayliner factory burned in 1985
    and can NOT provide anything prior to that date.

    
    I found that most marine fabrics, as well as automotive vynils come in
    some petty standard colors.Even if you purchased new factory
    up[holstery age and fading would probbably cause a mismatch. Most
    automotive upholstery shop[s also carry a line of marine vinyl fabrics-
    i'd give the local shops a shot- also the New England Coast abounds
    with Boat upholstery/cushion shops. Throw your cushion in the car and
    see what they can do. Usually they will simply reaplce a torn panel
    with a piece of fabric that comes pretty close to the original vinyl.
    
    
    
    Dick
    
    
    

    I am located on the West Coast and the East Coast tour would be great
    but not practical.  The material is a heavy pattern type fabric, not
    vinyl.

    Any recommendations, pro or con, for the upholstery place in Maynard
    at the corner of 27 and 62?

    Thanks,

    Rick

    BTW: Yes, the seats in the Nautique are being repaired this winter....

re <<< Note 785.25 by KAHALA::SUTER "Cold toes! Cold nose! Ain't froze? - Hit it!" >>>
>                           -< Maynard Seat repair? >-


>    Any recommendations, pro or con, for the upholstery place in Maynard
>    at the corner of 27 and 62?

	He was low cost ($15) and fairly quick (2 or 3 days) on a bow 
cover he did for me  (remember bow riders ? ).   He was slow on a tube 
cover, lots of "Yeah, I didn't get to it yet".  I'd guess he isn't 
very busy right now - convertibles being mostly 'winterized' ?

	Reg

    I had some work done this last year.  I wasn't in a rush, so I can't
    comment on timing.  Otherwise he did a good job, and charged less than
    he quoted me ( a nice turn of events ). He also suggested a way to do
    the job at less cost than what an exact replacement would have cost. I
    appreciated his honesty.

    
    Just to follow up on the Nautique's upholstery job....
    
    I picked up the seats yesterday. As stated in previous notes they were
    not done when we had agreed they'd be done. To be fair, some of this
    *was* due to a serious illness in his family.
    
    His work appears to be flawless, the seats look great. So far, I've
    only found one minor error, which he really couldn't have known he was
    making anyway, without the boat and mounting hardware placement.
    
    I too appreciated his honesty and advice. I mentioned that I'd probably
    have the rest of the interior done next year and he suggested buying
    the material now to ensure availability of the same colors.
    
    His estimate was ~425-450 for 6 cushions. (Driver's, spotter's, rear
    love seat bottom and back) When completed he charged me $357.00.
    
    We managed a perfect match on the blue stripes, but the base tan color
    is considerably lighter. The lighter tan color really looks great, even
    matches the base hull color better, although it does make the remaining
    old vinyl look "dirty". 
    
    In short... an excellent job at what I consider an excellent price.
    
    			Auto Upholstery
    			Maynard, Ma
    			508-897-7069
    
    Rick.... Gee_only_eleven_more_pieces_to_go_  :-~

    
    i've told the story before in another note.
    
    used car dealers use a product called "pink magic"
    
    i tried it last yr. works fantastic.
    
    one of the guys at the marina is a used car dealer, he gave
    me some, i don'tknow where to buy it, if he doesn't return
    this yr. i will be without myself.
    
    JIm.

    
    Jim,
    
    	The old vinyl *isn't* dirty, it's just the difference in color
    between old and new which makes it appear that way.
    
    	BTW: The stuff I use for tough cleaning problem is a spray on
    called "Tuff Stuff". Works great for most anything... vinyl, carpet,
    cloth seats...
    
    Rick

    I want to second the recommendation for "Tuff Stuff". I used it a few
    years ago to clean a spot we had just cleaned. It made a incredible 
    difference. I get mine at RICH's.
    
    Scott

    Moved by moderator...
    
================================================================================
Note 983.0                  Boat Cushions/Upholstery                  No replies
LJOHUB::REDFIELD                                     12 lines  24-MAY-1992 10:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You all know how much of a premium it is to deal with anyone associated 
with the marine industry.  I recently had to have some repair work done on 
seat cushions and the like and discovered a small store in Maynard that 
does this type of work in addition to their normal line of auto related 
work.  I recommend them from a workmanship perspective as well as price.

	John Piecewicz
	Auto Upholstery Company
	9 Waltham St.
	Maynard, MA 01754

	508-897-7069

Mod's note: I've taken the base note posted by the author, broken it 
            up into several specific questions, and moved each question
            to the appropriate existing topic.   /Rick

================================================================================
Note 999.0               1st boat that belongs to ME...                  1 reply
MR4DEC::FBUTLER                                      54 lines  26-JUN-1992 08:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Well, after hours of pouring over this notes conference, I've
	finally taken the plunge.  A low end plunge, but for me, still
	a plunge.  

	Last night I bought a 1976 Grady White Bowrider hull (model 178)
	that has been stripped (no motor, no carpet, no seats, etc.) I
	specifically chose this route because I enjoy "projects".  The 
	hull came with a Shoreliner trailer that has been rebuilt (new 
	bearings, tires, paint, bearing buddies, lights etc.)  My usage
	will include fishing, both salt and fresh, and family outings.

	So.  Now the fun begins.  It's obvious that the folks that part-
	icipate in this conference have a wealth of knowledge and as you
	can imagine, I have a "wealth" of questions which I will try to
	keep somewhat organized...

	Cosmetics:
        Should I contact Grady White, or go to someone who
	does marine canvas work?  Same question applies to cushions for
	the bow seats...are these "relatively" universal, or as in the
	car business "a dealer item"???
	

	Looking forward your responses, (even from those that think/know 
	I'm nuts)...

	Jim

    Mike's Custom Upholstery in Nashua, NH., does excellent work on
    upholstery, mooring covers, biminies (biminis?), etc.  
    Wayne

    Moderator, this is the only note I could find regarding upholstery.
    Please feel free to move it if a better note exists.
    
    I need to replace what's called "half-round crash padding" which
    surrounds my cockpit.  Basically, it is a rubber material in a
    half-round shape which is then covered with vinyl upholstery to match
    the seats.  I would like to give a shot at doing it if I can find a
    source for the "half-round", stainless steel staples, and "piping"
    (which is used to hide the staples).  I have a source for the
    half-round from the original manufacturer of the boat in Michigan but
    would prefer finding it more locally so I can ask some questions about
    it's use.
    Is there a local source for upholstery supplies/advise?
    Thanks, Wayne

    
    Moved by moderator
    ------------------
    
              <<< VICKI::SIE$DATA1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]BOATS.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -< Powerboats >-
================================================================================
Note 1104.0                    Custom Vinyl Work?                     No replies
TOOK::SWIST "Jim Swist TAY2-2/C1 DTN 227-3615"        3 lines  19-AUG-1993 11:57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Does anyone have a pointer to an outfit that does custom vinyl work
    (cushions, seats, seatbacks, etc made to order)?
    

Both Rick Suter and I have had upholstery work done at Auto Upholstery Co. in
Maynard, MA.  Nice work for a good price (IMHO).  508-897-7069, ask for John.

...Roger...

re      <<< Note 785.37 by ROGER::GAUDET "Because the Earth is 2/3 water" >>>
>                            -< Auto Upholstery Co. >-

> Both Rick Suter and I have had upholstery work done at Auto Upholstery Co. in

	Gee, you guys co-own furniture ?   (-:

	Reg

    
         <<< Note 785.38 by ASDS::BURGESS "Waiting for ZEUS to come" >>>
                          -< The collective "wee" ? >-

>>re      <<< Note 785.37 by ROGER::GAUDET "Because the Earth is 2/3 water" >>>
>>>                            -< Auto Upholstery Co. >-
>>
>>> Both Rick Suter and I have had upholstery work done at Auto Upholstery Co. in
>>
>>	Gee, you guys co-own furniture ?   (-:
>>
>>	Reg
    
    	Gee, slow day, Reg? Why aren't you over in note 78?
    
    Rick
    
    	Hey rog, get offa my couch!

Where's the remote?  :-)

I guess I should add that you shouldn't be in too much of a hurry if you decide
to do business with John at Auto Upholstery.  Don't get me wrong, I highly
recommend him if you want quality work.  But he does lots of auto repair work,
and if memory serves he spends at least one day a week (maybe 2) at the auctions
picking up seats & such that he repairs and resells.  Thus, he's not in any
hurry to get "other" stuff done.  Just an FYI.

...Roger...

If you live in central Mass and you're looking to re-upholster or repair
your canvas' or seats I  would recommend Wachusett Seat Cover on Nichols Street
in Leominster, MA. (508) 537-8595.

He finished the job twice as fast as quoted, and was about 40% cheaper than
I could find anywhere else in the 495-to-128 area.

Tim

    I second .-1  . 
    
     I just picked up a custom sail cover for my sailboat there Saturday.
    Price came out to 10 bucks less than a generic bag from a huge mail
    order company. The material was the best made, and the work is exactly
    like I speced it.
    
     I had the cabin cushions done in my boat last year. Saved $400-1200 over
    other quotes. And when a numb-nut friend miswired a circuit that
    shorted and burned a hole in the covers, he fixed it for free.
    
      Right now, I have some more work over there. The guy is good. 
    For directions, take rt 12 off rt 2 toward Fitchburg. Just as you pass
    the Toyota dealer, there is a street on the left. Turn left and it is
    3-4 houses up on the left.