UPHOLSTERY

The bunk and settee cushions can easily be made at home with the use of a modern sewing machine or, they can be purchased from your local tent or bedding supplier.   There are big savings to be made with a bit of shopping around for mattresses and cushion material and coverings and curtains.

LINING MATERIALS

If you intend to display all the interior hull surfaces, whatever building material, there will be a lot of extra work making them presentable so, interior lining is worth some thought.  There are a wide variety of lining materials used to cover a basic fibreglass or steel hull.   Quite often a wooden hull is deliberately left on display with dramatic effect.   Lining materials can include vinyl, foam backed carpet, heavy cloth or timbers such as tongue and groove or pre-surfaced plywood veneer.   I have seen ceramic tiles used to good effect in galley and stove areas, especially in traditional boats.   Depending on what finish you use, you can often run your wiring and plumbing behind the lining.  

   Around the edge of the lining, trim strips or quad or other cover strips, including plastic, can be used to hide any joints and, in fact, the cover strips can be a feature in themselves.   A vinyl, Laminex or Formica backed deck head with teak cover strips can be most attractive and relatively easy to fit.   There are materials especially designed for these jobs and these can usually be found at your marine store or marine upholsterer.

Some vinyl materials give a really professional finish and are relatively easy to apply.

These materials are made from expanded PVC and are available with an inlaid or printed pattern.  This type of material is fully flexible and has a closed cell structure, particularly suitable for lining the interiors of boats.   These specialised lining materials fit easily around corners and projections and can be bonded to almost any surface.

   It is usual to leave the lining installation until the boat is almost completed.   This allows you to install any last minute, plumbing and electrical wiring without disturbing your finishing materials.