Repairing Cockpit Vinyl Trim Frame Work

B

bdfollmer

New Member
Feb 14, 2010
2
Norther Virginia
Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 390 Express
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruisers
Hello,, I recently purchase my first large boat. It is a 1989 Sea Ray 390 Express. While the boat is in near perfect condition especially for its age there are some areas that need work. One area that I am having difficulty figuring out a good fix for is the piece of vinyl on either side of the cockpit. It has gotten wet and the wood beneath the vinyl is rotten. I have pulled it off but am wondering if it would be a good idea to fabricate a fiberglass replacement as opposed to getting another piece of plywood and wrapping some vinyl around it. Any ideas that anyone can give would be great. I am hopefully going to attach a couple of picture so you can see the pieces that I am talking about. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 

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use starboard or sea board they dont even need covering and will last forever
 
If you use a good exterior grade plywood, coat all surfaces with a couple coats of poly, and use monel staples to put the vinyl back you will get another 20 years of service out of it. You can use starboard, but the benefits are far outweighed by the cost.

Henry
 
First, welcome aboard, Brian!

If you go the Starboard route, you could use the "lightweight" version. Taco Marine offers similar stuff - and less expensive than the Starboard brand. I don't know if Seaboard has lightweight stuff, or not.

But, like Henry said, prepared properly, plywood will last a long time.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations. I think I am going to try my luck with the outdoor plywood. Biggest reason is I know my ability and I am sure to screw up at least one cut so with the plywood I won't be nearly as upset as I would with the starboard!!
 
If you can find a source for starboard /seaboard local they will usually cut it to your pattern for a couple of dollars .soroc plastics in flint michigan just did all my exterior cabinet doors and transom door for 78.00 including materials and cutting and a slight edge bevel.Remember as in a post i just watched from spookeay marine video that treated plywood holds water and will get punky sooner than standard marine plywood if you go that route.And marine ply will cost almost as much as starboard /seaboard.The differance between marine ply and others is the voids between the laminate layers ,there are none in marine ply and the glue % is increased from 19 to almost 30.Just some food for thought.Have fun
 
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Been there and done that.
I don't like all that vinyl in the cockpit, and painted panels are too cheesy for me- so I went with a black/white color scheme in the cockpit and used Seaboard. Maintenance free- unlike vinyl, or paint- and will last the life of the boat. I'd re-think using wood again...

JoSea011-1.jpg


JoSea012-1.jpg


JoSea013-1.jpg
 
that looks nice tobpr
 
tobnpr said:
Been there and done that.
I don't like all that vinyl in the cockpit, and painted panels are too cheesy for me- so I went with a black/white color scheme in the cockpit and used Seaboard. Maintenance free- unlike vinyl, or paint- and will last the life of the boat. I'd re-think using wood again...

JoSea011-1.jpg


JoSea012-1.jpg


JoSea013-1.jpg
Click to expand...

What is that little access door for just below the speaker on the port side? :huh:

~Ken
 
Mike, I remember you mentioned this in some post a while back, but I don't recall seeing the pictures. I have to admit that I was a little leery of what it might look like. But, that's done very nicely. It's simple, but still tasteful. The word "efficient" comes to mind. I'm glad you posted the pictures.
 
Thanks.
Actually, I never quite finished it yet...
I intend to upholster the bolster pieces with padding and pleated vinyl, and screwed them in place "temporarily" until I got around to doing it.

Ha, my "temporary" has been over a year now... but no one except me knows it isn't "done" since it looks pretty good as-is...

I also planned on countersinking the screws a bit deeper and "plugging" the heads with 1/4" Seaboard plugs to make them disappear, but then removal would be impossible. I'll admit I'm more about "practicality" than looks, I like to be able to get to "stuff" when I want/need to.
 
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just get some color matched snap caps from plasdec and dont forget the washers!
 
Ya know...that's a good idea, instead of countersinking as I've got now. I've used a bunch of them in the cabin to replace those that disintegrated/disappeared over the years.
The Seaboard expands/contracts alot- I could overdrill the holes slightly to allow for a little more movement and let the snap caps cover them.

Thanks...going to order some.
 
tobnpr said:
Ken;

It's a freshwater deck shower.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|26832|319660&id=213119

Mike
Click to expand...


Do you use your shower Mike? I am replacing my rotted side panels and I am toying with reconfiguring the plumbing in this area. I am thinking that I might relocate the city water regulator fitting and the hot & cold water personal shower to the back of the boat out near the reboarding ladder. That leaves the washdown faucet. I might just go to school on your access cover idea for my washdown hose. There is a lot of room in behind that side panel. I was thinking of installing an access cover with the faucet inside. The coiled washdown hose could just stay connected to the faucet and be stored back in there. I am going to the boat today, so I'll have a look at this possibility.

Later ~ Ken
 
Yes, we do. Kind of redundant as it's next to the washdown hose. We normally use the washdown hose for "sand removal" as it reaches the platform, and the shower for "cooling" off when roasting in the sun.

I thought about mounting the shower at the stern as you said (it makes the most sense), but there are no interior panels to be able to conceal the plumbing and the hose cabinet (at least on my boat).
 
electricaldoctor said:
Do you use your shower Mike? I am replacing my rotted side panels and I am toying with reconfiguring the plumbing in this area. I am thinking that I might relocate the city water regulator fitting and the hot & cold water personal shower to the back of the boat out near the reboarding ladder. That leaves the washdown faucet. I might just go to school on your access cover idea for my washdown hose. There is a lot of room in behind that side panel. I was thinking of installing an access cover with the faucet inside. The coiled washdown hose could just stay connected to the faucet and be stored back in there. I am going to the boat today, so I'll have a look at this possibility.

Later ~ Ken
Click to expand...

Ken, I'm also modifying a lot the side panels. It's possible to create new bins and a recessed area for the extinguishers!
For the shower, I'll use this one:
http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/product_list/4/136/
I will put it outside on the transom close to the door.

Mike, don't sell her...there's so much you still have to do to make her better :grin:

Later:thumbsup:
 
Pietro said:
Ken, I'm also modifying a lot the side panels. It's possible to create new bins and a recessed area for the extinguishers!
For the shower, I'll use this one:
http://www.whalepumps.com/marine/product_list/4/136/
I will put it outside on the transom close to the door.

Mike, don't sell her...there's so much you still have to do to make her better :grin:

Later:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Damn, Pietro-

Why didn't you tell me about recessing the fire extinguishers???
Sheesh... some guys....holding out on the rest of us 390'ers...

Now I gotta steal your idea. Details! Details!

Ciao! :)
 
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