| Author | Message | ||
     Scott Corder Moderator Username: Scott_corder Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
I apologize that this post will be in two parts. The first regards hull liner fabric - I will post separately with info I have gathered regarding headliner materials. Here goes the first part... I am in the process of replacing the fabric that lines the inner hull of my boat (the primarily vertical surfaces). On the excellent advice of Deb Davenport (who until recently owned a 9.1 named Glory Days), I have just ordered 24 yards (72 linear feet by 54 inches wide) of a woven fabric made by Sunbrella - the same company who makes sail cover materials. I was surprised to find that Sunbrella makes fabrics in weaves and patterns (not just colid colors). Two factors made this decision for me: first, the color and weave of the fabric I chose is nearly identical to the original fabric the factory installed (a weave of blues, tans and greys). I am pretty picky about my interior as my boat is the former Irish Rose pictured in the original factory sales brochure - and I have gone to great lengths to maintain her original appearance. Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, this Sunbrella fabric is nearly bullet-proof from what I have been told. The salesperson indicated that I can even run a bleach stick across it and it won't leave a mark! Even though I've re-cored and re-bedded every hole in the boat, I suspect there will be leaks at some point - and this Sunbrella fabric should repel them all. Again on Deb's advice, I ordered my fabric from a company called Calico Corners. Apparently Deb has done some work for their corporate headquarters. They have retail stores in many parts of the country. I ordered from their store in Novi Michigan where I received incredible customer service. They also have a web site at www.calicocorners.com. The fabric I chose listed for 39.99 per yard but they called me when it went on sale for 15 percent off (sale ends Jan 28, 2006). Furthermore, when they saw the amount I was ordering, they took another 5 percent off!! Total for my order was 767.80 plus tax - that's 200 dollars off the list price! I don't know yet if I will get this all installed this season, but I wanted to order the fabric just in case they discontinued the pattern or color I wanted. About the only caution they gave me regarded fraying of the egdes of the fabric. They indicated that a careful hand and appropriate glueing should keep this in check. Sidebar on installation: I have been discussing this project with a few professional automotive interior specialists - and may end up paying them to do this work, especially if we tackle the headliner at the same time. Finally, I figure I'll use some of the scraps to make a few pillows that, thanks to the nature of Sunbrella, can easily be used up on deck as well as inside the boat. Like John said, it doesn't make us go any faster, but this should add plenty of pleasure to all our hours spent on the boat! |
