Modernising Saloon Seating

[shan]

Has anyone had experience with removing the seating from an older boat (say a Princess 38 or Prestige 36) and having seating made up, which doesn't look quite so dated? I'm not talking about just recovering cushions and adding a few scatter cushions. I'm thinking of completely gutting the seating and replacing.

Going from something like this:



to something like this:



Squaring things off a bit and essentially going for a more minimilist design.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

We did something similar on a Princess 435 many years ago. The Boss didnt like the flat cushions and backrests that Princess used in the saloon on that boat and wanted cushions with shaped under thigh support and backrests with lower back support. So she took them to a local marine upholstery company, discussed what she wanted and had them made, of course with new covers. It wasnt that difficult but then the seat material was foam so it was easy to cut to shape

 

[shan]

I have found a few people who do that but I want to change the entire base of the seating. Square off any overt curves, which will require carpentry. I'm thinking I might chat to a local furniture maker I know.

The current dilemma is: we have ruled out the Antares 9.80 as being just too small. The Princess 38 (aprox. 2000 model) is within budget and size we are after BUT, I hate the carpets and the seating reminds me of a 70s brothel (well, what I imagine one to look like). The other option is the Prestige 36, which some modification o the cushions as opposed to completely gutting the seating, is an option BUT the galley worries me. It has a combi microwave/oven and I want a gas oven - so I'd need to see if that could be replaced and I worry that the galley is too pokey. The Princess 38 (2004 to 2008) galley is much better.... so... decisions decisions...

After having completely gutted our current boat, I'm not really sure I want to go through all the hassle again.

 

[Whitelighter]

Gas on a boat? One of the first things I rip out.
I understand you might want a full oven rather than the combo but an electric galley is by far the easiest and safest option.

 

[shan]

There is nothing wrong with gas that has been safely installed BUT, I don't want to turn this into a thread discussing the merits of gas vs. electric.

 

[simonfraser]

Just change the cushions and the curtains, put a squid on the table and you're done.
Nothing much wrong with what you have imo.

 

[shan]

Thanks but that's not really the information I was after.

 

[jrudge]

At the risk of stating the obvious many designs of sofa are the ceilings of the cabins below where they
Need headroom at the sides of the boat. So changing the base is not so simple.

Next look at how it is constructed. Many use a liner that is made in the factory and dropped in. As I understand it this is part of the rigidity of the hull ( will vary by manufacturer ) like a mono Coque chassis in a car.

And gas ..... no ...

 

[MapisM]

Going from something like this:
...
to something like this:

If it weren't for your question, at first glance I would have thought that those two pics were taken from different angles on the very same interior...

 

[shan]

At the risk of stating the obvious many designs of sofa are the ceilings of the cabins below where they
Need headroom at the sides of the boat. So changing the base is not so simple.

Next look at how it is constructed. Many use a liner that is made in the factory and dropped in. As I understand it this is part of the rigidity of the hull ( will vary by manufacturer ) like a mono Coque chassis in a car.

And gas ..... no ...

Interesting point. I suppose one could change the shape via external cladding.

I'm not getting into the gas debate.

 

[shan]

If it weren't for your question, at first glance I would have thought that those two pics were taken from different angles on the very same interior...

The Princess 38 is probably a better example. I dislike the bulbous curves on the seating. I'd have to do less on the Prestige.

 

[Nick_H]

jrudge has highlighted the biggest issue, you'd need to check the cabins below to see if the seating above provides the headroom. If so, then you're into major cost and compromises to change the seating. If not, then it should be feasible to change it by stripping out the existing and having a decent chippy make up the new structure in situ, and fitting new foam and fabric to it. Lots (most?) boats have the seating built up from batten and ply, so it's not rocket science.

If you're squaring off the internal corners you'll probably need new carpet, but it sounds like you'd change that anyway

 

[shan]

This post has been a really useful exercise. I think the path of least resistance is going to be the most practical outcome. The Prestige 36 will need less doing to it and is more widely available for sale, so we will pursue that route. The seating could do with some minor external cladding to slightly change the shape and of course the cushions reshaped and recovered. Floor is already wood, so this makes life simpler.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm sure I will have more questions in time.

 

[petem]

Changing the shape of cushions is obviously no big deal but I'd really try and avoid making any changes to veneered woodwork. The veneers will have been carefully matched and will have had dozens of layers of varnish added. Unless you're going to change the whole lot and use crasftmen as skilled as the factory guys it could end up looking a mess. Any what you like may not be appreciated when you sell it on.

Incidentally, the move to flat panels and squarer lacquered furniture was partly driven by cost. The lacquering machines that some factories use can only handle flat panels leading to square corners (AFAIK). One builder in the UK is bucking this trend and returning to curved panels and rounded corners (which by their nature are far safer on a boat).

As for gas on board a boat ......

 

[shan]

I was thinking some sort of removable leather panels at the bottom - boat could be returned to original styling.... of course simply changing the cushions is probably the most practical solution.

 

[jfm]

This is entirely do-able if you want to throw the resources at it. As mentioned check what is below but in the saloon of a 40 footer the seat bases will not serve as headroom for cabins below, in nearly all cases. So just modify the base mouldings if they are GRP, or make up new bases in battens and ply. If veneered wood, get them spray varnished - all very straightforward. Totally not rocket science. Go for it.

I'm also no-gas

 

[Richard.C]

I do not know the seating in either Princess or Prestige boats noted here but have you checked what other purpose the seating has?

For instance the 2 seat sofa on my Phantom is in two pieces and movable to create additional dining seats. The main sofa pulls out to form an additional berth.

Any of these features if present in the Princess and Prestige might complicate your plans.

 

[shan]

I have not seen any of these type of arrangements in any of the photos or adverts for the boat but it will be worth checking out when viewing.

 

[MapisM]

Gas on a boat? One of the first things I rip out.

And gas ..... no ...

As for gas on board a boat ......

I'm also no-gas

Shan, I see that you aren't interested in the gas debate, but fwiw I sympathize with you.
Preparing a decent meal at anchor in total silence while sipping an aperitif is not something I would trade for a bit of safety!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I looked at a similar project to replace the saloon seating in my Targa 40 - but in the end I spoke to a couple of brokers and they very strongly advised against it - they said it would make resale difficult​ because buyers wouldn't accept the motive for change at face value. (Didn't stop me from altering the bathing platform, but that's a different story).

Ps I am with everyone else on the gas v elec debate, degassing the boat was one of the first jobs I did.