Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

[milmat1]

When restoring boats how do you deal with the Padded sections, Bowseats etc.
Seats you can buy, What about the rest of the interior? Mainly I'm thinking of making some new Backpads for the bow area, and even some seat cushions for the stern seats etc.
I have found tones of info on seats etc. But nothing on the other cushions, padded rails etc.. Does Someone sell the material where I can cut the plywood to size/shape and then cover them with Foam / Material etc.
How do you guys do this ?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Start with the search function. There is lots of info on this subject.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

I have tried that with no good results, But Also I dont know what to call them. I mainly need a source of or instruction to make custom pads and rail pads etc..Like go along the bowseat area, the sidewalls of the boat etc..

 

[74 Starcraft Capri]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. What I did was just measure the space you have where you want each piece to go, then get your marine grade plywood (1/2" should be fine & will run about $70), use some urethane to seal it, get some plastic painters drop cloth (2 - 3 mil) decide if you want closed cell foam or regular foam & what inch thick you want it (I've gone w/ 2") drill your bolt holes on the plywood, then just wrap the foam in the plastic over your plywood cut outs, then get your marine grade vinyl and attach to the wood.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. What I did was just measure the space you have where you want each piece to go, then get your marine grade plywood (1/2" should be fine & will run about $70), use some urethane to seal it, get some plastic painters drop cloth (2 - 3 mil) decide if you want closed cell foam or regular foam & what inch thick you want it (I've gone w/ 2") drill your bolt holes on the plywood, then just wrap the foam in the plastic over your plywood cut outs, then get your marine grade vinyl and attach to the wood.

Thats sounds like a great method !

Thanks,

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Just some terminology help.....the padded rails you're referring to are called "combing pads".

Helpful threads: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=347724

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=379388

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

"Combing pads", eh, I've always just called 'em "bolsters." Learn something new every day!

I'm doing something very much like this myself right now, using a method very much like what 74 Starcraft Capri above is doing, but also with some of the sewing methods and mounting methods shown in the two links above.

I'll try and shoot some pics over the weekend.

EDIT: post us some pics of what you've got now and/or the areas on the boat you want to fill, and if you can find a "model" some pics of what looks kinda like what you want to wind up with. That would help with suggestions.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Just some terminology help.....the padded rails you're referring to are called "combing pads".

Helpful threads: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=347724

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=379388

That is exactly what I needed THANKS!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

No problem. I actually think I learned it from an options page for a Lowe boat model http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/features/fish-and-ski/combing-pads-bow-rails.php

 

[oops!]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

, then get your marine grade plywood (1/2" should be fine & will run about $70)

do not waste your money.....marine grade will do you absolutely no good in this use......ext grade 1/2 inch.....you dont need to seal this wood...simple paint will buy you another five years over the 25 you will get from a raw piece of wood in this application.

 

[milmat1]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Everytime I fix something, I find more that needs fixed ! I am planning on using the boat this yr and tearing her apart this fall. If I Can Wait!!
Because it is hard NOT to rip her down to the Hull right now. And I should post a few picks and get some advice as to if I even have enough boat to start with?? The floor is spongy and has soft spots, The transom seems OK by doing the tilted motor test. The Keel has some beaching damage to the gel coat. And the previous owner(s) Seen the need to drive Screws EVERYWHERE ! So there are a zillion holes where they have had stuff screwed into the boat.. BUT Being on the water all afternoon and half the night last Saturday catfishing, I didnt turn on the bildge pump I just took the plug out. And there was No Water taken on! So I considered that a good sign....?


Thanks for all the Info Guys !!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

FYI - its "coaming", not "combing"... Sorry - I had to chuckle on that one...

We used the old pieces as templates and made new backing boards (3/8" AB plywood). We used open cell foam and cut to shape (1/2-inch on the side panels, 1-inch on the narrower coaming pads where you would actually lean against them). Then used marine vinyl from JoAnn Fabrics to cover everything. We used Monel staples throughout. I also epoxied the attachment bolts in place UNDER the foam so that they were blind. I could reach in behind the deck areas to attach the washers and nuts to hold them in place.

The pics are of the interior partway with the original seats still in use, and then again with the seats redone.

 

[Shife]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Just some terminology help.....the padded rails you're referring to are called "combing pads".

Helpful threads: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=347724

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=379388

Edit:


Doh! Should have read the whole thread before responding.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Boat Interior, Padded rails and backpads etc..

Here's some pics.

Open-cell foam cut-to-shape with an electric carving knife, contact-adhered to a strip of epoxy-coated piece of 1/2" plywood, then a piece of 1/2" dacron batting spray-adhered to the foam:

(Wood a little smaller in each direction than foam, so no wood felt at edges)

Like you might have seen in one of the linked threads, stainless T-nuts in place inside the wood, so I can mount these with a bolt and a through-hole:

Stretch the vinyl around and Monel staple to the wood:

(I sewed in a panel of Nautolex cushion underlining for drainage)

Topside:

Seats for the open bow made just like couch cushions:

The bottom is entirely underlining for drainage, with an overlapping split like a pillowcover so I can stuff the foam in. Also sewed in some straps which I will put snaps into for hold-downs.

Seat bottoms made with 3" thick 45lb foam 'cause I'm a fatass. Pad cushions made from 2" thick 28lb foam 'cause I likes my padding.

I'm using 3" 45lb foam for the butts of the lounge seats, and 3" 36lb for the lounge seat backs; that'll give me lots of support but the backs will not be too soft when in lounge configuration.

As to the sewing itself, one of those links a few posts back covered that pretty well.