Lighter below decks

[Monique]

... Meaning more light...

How can I make the interior of my boat lighter? Varnished mahogany (satin), so don't want to ruin it with "hare brained" idea.

Is there a (relatively easy) way of changing the colour of the interior?

 

[npf1]

Stick white or cream laminate (about £35 for an 8*4 sheet) to the panels. This has been done on mine - it looks good and lasts. I try and post a pic if you want.

 

[Csail]

I put a light carpet over the dark wood floor and painted the ceiling gloss white....massive change.

 

[Monique]

Thank you so far... the roof liner is white already and I was just on the boat and tried to think the problem through... still nothing concrete yet.

Keep those suggestions coming...

 

[Monique]

Decided to start with the main table. It has taken a bit of "old news" look tis season (lots of use)

The border is raised and will be a nice "frame" for a lighter colored center.

Now I need help with the best process to follow. Which products etc.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

What size/model of yacht do you have?

 

[Bobobolinsky]

Formica is always the original choice for laminates, but I had a lot of problems getting what I wanted earlier this year as they were "optimising" their range
Typically it is £40 for a 3.0m sheet, but there are cheaper alternatives. If you want to cut holes in the deck, deck prisms are good, but at £200 for a 250mm x 75mm are a little on the expensive side. BTW if anyone has had replacement prisms cast for a reasonable price I would be interested.

 

[Monique]

What size/model of yacht do you have?

Not a classic but a 1997 Bavaria 46 ... the 3 cabin version with a real Lloyds 100A rating.. before the wobbly keels.

 

[Tranona]

In which case you have basically the same interior as my 2001 37. Lots of dark striped "mahogany" and solid mouldings around the furniture and doors etc. Personally I like the dark ambience and would not dream of trying to lighten any of the furniture or panels. During that period, Bavaria alternated between rather garish multi coloured soft furnishings and sober blue - although for my boat I had the choice of a cheapy blue with gold flecks or gold with blue flecks. Chose the former and have re-upholstered with more solid blue in the saloon.

I think you will struggle to "lighten" without changing the interior completely. If you want a lighter finished interior then change to a Beneteau or Jeanneau, as these tend to have lighter wood finishes and soft furnishings. Or be really brave and go for one of the more extreme Dehlers!

 

[Hugh Foulis]

Typically it is £40 for a 3.0m sheet, but there are cheaper alternatives.

Bob, could I trouble you for a pointer in the right direction to a source for these sheets, especially if you know the whereabouts of a supplier of cheap alternatives? I was looking for something similar for a caravan project but had nothing in way of success with sourcing something suitable so job never got done

Grateful

HF

 

[Monique]

..... Or be really brave and go for one of the more extreme Dehlers!

I missed out on a beautiful Dehler 46 2 years ago; she was magnificent. and the interior was precisely what I wanted... Oh well... maybe later.

 

[Kukri]

I do have an old boat and I rebuilt everything below decks myself, so I am the only person to blame for the fact that my teak matchboarding bulkheads and oak panelling came out rather too dark!

The first step was to go for cream settee covers which, being removable* and washable, have stood up to ten years use much better than one might expect.

Pale cream deckhead also. This has made quite an improvement.

 

[Monique]

Thks Minn. The settee covers are darkish blue. This could be easier than trying to make the area lighter by altering wood taints I suppose.

 

[Tranona]

Another alternative is to trade it in for a new Bavaria - you will need sunglasses down below! I am sure they will be delighted to sell you a new boat!

 

[Lakesailor]

Have your upholstery recovered in light colours. (really bad idea)

 

[old_salt]

... Meaning more light...

How can I make the interior of my boat lighter? Varnished mahogany (satin), so don't want to ruin it with "hare brained" idea.

Is there a (relatively easy) way of changing the colour of the interior?

I posted this a few days ago on a similar thread. it may help you as well. cheers O_S.

quote:-
Try this outfit :-Service Metals Group and Switchblade Metals Ltd. Looks like one not far from you at Newbury.
They do all the requirements for bodybuilding large Vehicles.
One of their products is dense white Fiberglas sheet, used for roof linings.
Very light and can be rolled up.
And thinking about it it would be an ideal for lining the heads as a shower room.
It is the best lining for the roof and walls of our horse box I have found far better than rubbish melamine coated plywood.
Company link:-http://www.servicemetals.co.uk/servi...tals-south.htm

Product link:-http://www.servicemetals.co.uk/pdf/s...s_polyskin.pdf

I have no connection with this company other than buying from them and finding them very obliging, and they will delver.

 

[colvic987]

If you want to cut holes in the deck, deck prisms are good, but at £200 for a 250mm x 75mm are a little on the expensive side. BTW if anyone has had replacement prisms cast for a reasonable price I would be interested.

not a good idea in this climate, as had reports of close encounters with fire/wood charring with the prisms concentrating the suns rays..

maybe some colour coordination to lighter colours would be more appropriate.

 

[Monique]

Another alternative is to trade it in for a new Bavaria - you will need sunglasses down below! I am sure they will be delighted to sell you a new boat!

They would LOVE to sell me a new boat but their standards have changed too much between my vintage (1997 Lloyds 100A rated) and their present offerings.

Going to USA on business soon and will look at a Hinckley 49 while there. Sort of thinking to hang up my work clothes soon...