Fastening Panels to boat

[tractorboy]

I want to add some fabric covered "panels"/ seat backs to my boat. Has anyone else done this so that they are removable and min drilling into the gunwalls? Im thinking STRONG hook and loop or Snaps.......again these will be say 1/4 luan or something with some foam and vinyl and then want to attach to the boat as a seat back and trim and what not.

Ofcourse if plywood used I need to do my best to waterproof the crap out it. But regardless how do you guys fasten temp panels to your boat or attach them in general as to not look like you screwed the damn things there and a screw head is sitting there?

thanks.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

alas I just used coarse stainless screws. To hide the heads I used screw covers from West Marine

 

[Desertsky]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

Have you thought about the type of fasteners used by auto makers to hold door interior panels on? I am talking about the bent wire type, not the nylon things with the rings/ridges on them.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

Alot of manufatures use Clips that screw into the FG and you "hook" your bolster/back to it..

http://www.epinions.com/prices/Upholstery_Clips

You just have to hole saw a small hole(s) in the back of your bolster Just Right for location.

Down side is that you dont want water getting in there .

Velcro is the only other way I can think of other than the screw and head snap or loop snap backed as you suggested..

YD.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

Ayuh,... I used #6 SSteel screws, 'n a snap base as a washer... Then a false snap cover cap to snap onto 'em to hide 'em...

 

[tractorboy]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

Sounds like th cap screws are the best bet. Forgot about those. I was so stuck on hiding any fastener at all. and foam will not be thick on these side panels so...and min hole size to FG.

I sorta like Yaht Dr. Idea too. Thanks Guys. Basically try to take a sunbird fishing boat and add additional seating to make a good recreational boat. its big at 20' but no seating.....just 2 in back on either side of engine cover. and then 2 at the helm. thanks all!!

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Fastening Panels to boat

A lot of times the screws will be hidden in seams in the vinyl. If you look at the bottom picture in my thread, it is screwed into the fg in between the "pleats" on the vinyl. The ends are screwed right through the vinyl but so far in the corner it gets covered by the next panel.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2606199#post2606199