Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

[tommyboy050]

I have a 1988 Bayliner Cuddy 1902 (19ft). I need to refurbish the side inside side panels that run from the front of the boat to the rear and the rear seat back rests. The seats themselves are in pretty good shape. The colors are blue and white which I assume are Bayliner colors. I have a couple of questions that maybe you can help me with. The boat is in storage right now and I would like to get the parts before I get the boat so I can get this done before I put it in the water.

1. About how many yards do you think I will need? ?? yds? Or, where can I find/go to figure this out?

2. I found a product, marine/boat vinyl fabric, on ebay list as "1000 YARDS MARINE/BOAT VINYL FABRIC/$9 PER YD". The listing is from jcupholstery who has a store named "JC upholstery fabrics" on ebay. I am asking your opinion on this product.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

I am an upholsterer so this should help.

To figure out how much material you will need, you need to provide the dimensions of the panels and the seats, but you can figure it out by going with simple math.
The material that you will be purchasing is sold by the yard (3 feet long) and 54" tall (technically 'width', as you generally view the material looking up the roll).

If you side panels are 6' long (2 yards) but less than 27" tall, you would need a total of 2 yards to do the job. This allows you to split the material lengthwise to get one panel from the top of the run and one from the bottom. You want to avoid seams if at all possible as I assume you do not have a sewing machine with UV treated threads.

To determine the seats, you need to know the dimensions and convert it to yardage. Don't measure just the top, you also have to figure in the "boxing", which is the vertical sides of the seat as well. Take a tape measure and start 2" past the seat bottom on one side, go up and over the seat and back down the other side 2" past the bottom. Now do this front to back. That will give you square feet (2' x 2' = 4 sq/ft) x 2 seats = 8 sq/ft. 1 yard of material is 13.5 sq/ft. As a general rule, you can do (2) 18" x 18" seats with boxings with 1 yard of material.

Don't pull the material over the seats and fold/pleat it at the corners. That looks very DIY and homemade. Even if you want to cover it yourself, take it to an upholstery shop for stitching to look professional. They will prob only charge 5-10 dollars for the sewing. You'll be happier in the end.

Use marine rated vinyl for the covers. Use stainless steel staples on the seats and panels. When dealing with stubborn corners and trying to get wrinkles out, use a hair dryer to heat and soften the material first, then pull over and staple.

PM me if you need any help.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

Be careful what you bid on. I hope you don't have to buy the entire 1000 yds! You could just get a new boat for that price. I get my marine vinyl at Joanns. I would suggest going local unless your familiar enough with fabric to buy online. All marine vinyl is not created equal. At least in person you can feel it and see the color. Are you replacing foam as well? If so I recommend using an electric kitchen knife to cut it. There are some good threads on here which show step by step replacement. Other than that I'll defer to the experts for the best looking outcome.

 

[tommyboy050]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

The boat is in storage and covered, can't get inside it. I was hoping somone was familiar with my type of boat and give me a rough idea of how much I need so I can get it ordered. I do not need to refurb the seat because they are in pretty good shape. thanks for the info

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

There is probably foam under the side panels, that is what I was refering to.

 

[taggy]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

Joann Fabrics has marine vinyl.

 

[jamiemac74]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

I am an upholsterer so this should help.

To figure out how much material you will need, you need to provide the dimensions of the panels and the seats, but you can figure it out by going with simple math.
The material that you will be purchasing is sold by the yard (3 feet long) and 54" tall (technically 'width', as you generally view the material looking up the roll).

If you side panels are 6' long (2 yards) but less than 27" tall, you would need a total of 2 yards to do the job. This allows you to split the material lengthwise to get one panel from the top of the run and one from the bottom. You want to avoid seams if at all possible as I assume you do not have a sewing machine with UV treated threads.

To determine the seats, you need to know the dimensions and convert it to yardage. Don't measure just the top, you also have to figure in the "boxing", which is the vertical sides of the seat as well. Take a tape measure and start 2" past the seat bottom on one side, go up and over the seat and back down the other side 2" past the bottom. Now do this front to back. That will give you square feet (2' x 2' = 4 sq/ft) x 2 seats = 8 sq/ft. 1 yard of material is 13.5 sq/ft. As a general rule, you can do (2) 18" x 18" seats with boxings with 1 yard of material.

Don't pull the material over the seats and fold/pleat it at the corners. That looks very DIY and homemade. Even if you want to cover it yourself, take it to an upholstery shop for stitching to look professional. They will prob only charge 5-10 dollars for the sewing. You'll be happier in the end.

Use marine rated vinyl for the covers. Use stainless steel staples on the seats and panels. When dealing with stubborn corners and trying to get wrinkles out, use a hair dryer to heat and soften the material first, then pull over and staple.

PM me if you need any help.

This guy has some good advice here.. Thats exactly how I did mine. I covered everything I could myself. And left the sewing to the professionals.. Looks so much better. I had them sew my engine cover, 2 rear seats, and rear back cushions. I then put them on myself. The only thing I had them cover was the 2 front seats. Those are the most difficult. Here's a link to my project:
http://s1086.photobucket.com/albums/j458/jamiemac74/

 

[jamiemac74]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

I also used the Soft Side Marine vinyl, and the Dorsett marine carpet. Its good Vinyl and easy to work with..

 

[jamiemac74]

Re: Refurbish side panels and rear back rests on my Bayliner boat

Also when you take the old covers off your cushions save the plastic that is under the vinyl. It helps the new covers slide on also makes it easier to work with. If you have any that is damaged I used kroger bags instead of the ripped up plastic.