Headliner material

[MacGyver]

Need to install a new headliner material and I ordered samples from Sailrite.
Not sure that I want to go back to carpet like that is on it now, as the Admiral says the mud dauber nests are hard to clean off it.....

Anyone use Nauga soft? Or Vinyl Bright white? (both from sailrite)

We are needing something good to clean off, and white in color unless someone has other ideas.....

Mac

[brackish]

Mac, just be sure not to use any type of vinyl that is foam backed without battens.  One of my past boats, a Columbia 8.7 was OEM with a perforated textured vinyl which really looked great, did not show dirt and cleaned easily.  The down side was that the foam deteriorated long before the vinyl and the whole headliner sagged down. 

I replaced it with non-woven fabric ( the official name for that carpet you speak of).  Ironically many boat manufacturers, including Hutchins, use it OEM.  When I did the job on the boat mentioned above I put it on with the most aggressive 3M spray adhesive.  Job went well. 

I found out from one of the boat manufacturers, S-2 I think where they got the material and bought a roll of it from the mill in New England for about 2 bucks a running yard.  I did the Columbia twice, gave the new owner enough to do it once more, and still have enough to do my Compac once or twice. 

The down side, as you've mentioned is that it doesn't allow for easy cleaning and it has a tendency to stain if it gets and stays wet.  On the Columbia that let me know where the leaks were.   It does, however provide more sound deadening, insulation and protection from condensation than vinyl based coverings.

[MacGyver]

Thanks brack!

I was getting worried no one had messed with this side of things before.....
I will let my wife know, as she is the "final decision" LOL

And as I read your reply I realized too that when I work on boats, I do notice more of a condensate issue with the vinyl than that of the carpet.......... My thoughts always come back to a J boat in particular.....

Mac