Vinyl panels versus hard paneling for ceiling and/or walls

[Kquaine]

Good day all. I have a basic internal space design question. Why do most boats have either stretched vinyl or vinyl covered panels for ceilings and sometimes walls?

I have a 1988 67' CPMY. I am contemplating removing the stretched vinyl ceiling and replacing it with painted plywood panels of some sort. At the same time I am looking to tear out the salon inside walls out, insulating the walls, and installing new wall paneling. The big difference is that I am wanting to make the wall and ceiling panels removable using ball and socket fasteners.

The reason to make the ceiling and walls panels easily removable is for maintenance and ongoing / future upgrades.

Does anybody see any issues with using non vinyl covered, painted wood panels for the ceiling and walls?

Any examples or pictures?

Thank you
Kquaine

 

[ian w]

Industrial strength Velcro is now a good way of attaching panels that have to be occasionally removed
I also use it on the flybridge for stuff l want to store inside rather than leave for months in the sun

 

[tom5518]

...Does anybody see any issues with using non vinyl covered, painted wood panels for the ceiling and walls?

Only if you don't want to kill resale value. Chances are you will be the only one who likes the upgrades.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I think the breathable headliner was to reduce mold and mildew from condensation. It needs to breathe.

And, as Tom says, it will kill resale if you panel everything in painted plywood. But it would make a nice shop or tool shed.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Or, compromise and do both. I tore down my perforated headliner in my old '79 43C. It was all yellow and had a few tears in it. Basically looked like bloody hell. I cut 6 panel pieces out of 1/4" luaun to fit to my ceiling. One seam down the middle and two seams athwartships. I covered each piece with the same type of perforates vinyl as the original. I applied it to the panels with 3m adhesive spray, stretching the vinyl and wrapping it around the edges, with more 3m spray and ss staples to attach it to the underside. I built a teak handrail to cover most of the centerline seam, and cut 5/16" battens out of a piece of 6/4 teak, rounding over the edges with a router, for the cross seams. Varnished all of it. On the cross seams, I installed rod holders. I also used a couple short pieces of the battens to cover the centerline seam where the grab rail did not. I was happy with the results.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Looks nice Bob Bradley!

I like the velcro idea, if it would really hold.
To the OP, what are ball & socket fasteners?

I like the "do both" idea. Some of the newer yachts seem to have ceilings in sections, maybe they are removeable like is being discussed?

 

[brettportzer]

https://youtu.be/DNMxOhv0ly8?si=Zj38i4IZnxQGlZlN

 

[cixov]

Good day all. I have a basic internal space design question. Why do most boats have either stretched vinyl or vinyl covered panels for ceilings and sometimes walls?

I have a 1988 67' CPMY. I am contemplating removing the stretched vinyl ceiling and replacing it with painted plywood panels of some sort. At the same time I am looking to tear out the salon inside walls out, insulating the walls, and installing new wall paneling. The big difference is that I am wanting to make the wall and ceiling panels removable using ball and socket fasteners.

The reason to make the ceiling and walls panels easily removable is for maintenance and ongoing / future upgrades.

Does anybody see any issues with using non vinyl covered, painted wood panels for the Ceiling Sam ceiling and walls?

Any examples or pictures?

Thank you
Kquaine

Vinyl ceilings and wall panels are used because they’re lightweight, flexible, quick to install, and handle hull movement and condensation better than rigid painted surfaces. They also hide fasteners, wiring, and minor imperfections, and are less prone to cracking. Painted wood panels can be used, but they must be marine-grade, fully sealed on all sides, and installed with expansion gaps to accommodate movement. Condensation control is critical to prevent peeling or mildew, and painted surfaces will reflect more noise. Removable panels with hidden fasteners are common in custom refits and work well if panel sizes are kept manageable and corrosion-resistant hardware is used.

 

[31FlyCruzr]

I have a low production small 31, when the rods were poking holes in the vinyl I switched over to the Home Depot FRP for bathrooms. Admiral loved how easy it is to clean compared to the old vinyl. No regrets. It has been 12 years.
They sell connector H pieces.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

We lined our car wash bays with that same stuff.

 

[Brewsky]

Hi

Good day all. I have a basic internal space design question. Why do most boats have either stretched vinyl or vinyl covered panels for ceilings and sometimes walls?

I have a 1988 67' CPMY. I am contemplating removing the stretched vinyl ceiling and replacing it with painted plywood panels of some sort. At the same time I am looking to tear out the salon inside walls out, insulating the walls, and installing new wall paneling. The big difference is that I am wanting to make the wall and ceiling panels removable using ball and socket fasteners.

The reason to make the ceiling and walls panels easily removable is for maintenance and ongoing / future upgrades.

Does anybody see any issues with using non vinyl covered, painted wood panels for the ceiling and walls?

Any examples or pictures?

Thank you
Kquaine

Kquaine

 

[Brewsky]

This is what I replaced our mid cabin ceiling with.
It’s hard to take a good photo of a ceiling.
This is 1/4 plastic panel that come in assorted colors and in solid white.
I installed so if I need to remove for access it’s easy to do.
100% water proof and easy to clean.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I believe the old thinking was that you needed to install a ceiling that would breathe so to that you didn't trap moisture in that space which would lead to mold and mildew. Most newer boats don't do that anymore so maybe its not really an issue. I have always replaced the OEM perforated headliner with same but maybe that's not necessary. Or maybe it is and new manufacturers just don't care. Any ideas?

 

[TomT13]

I have a 1985 36C and I replaced the headliner with 1/4" plywood wrapped with vinyl headliner. Used heavy duty velcro hook & loop to hold the panels up. Everything is removable and I think it turned out well. While I was there I replaced the lighting to LED fixtures. I have run the boat in pretty rough water and never had an issue with the velcro. Good luck with your project.

 

[CGHOST4]

We redid all our ceilings with vinyl, it makes the admiral happy because it is easy to clean. The one unusual ceiling I did were the hallways between the engine rooms and the bedrooms, I used 1/4" starboard. It is screwed around the edges so it can be removed if necessary.

 

[miboatnutz]

I have a 1985 36C and I replaced the headliner with 1/4" plywood wrapped with vinyl headliner. Used heavy duty velcro hook & loop to hold the panels up. Everything is removable and I think it turned out well. While I was there I replaced the lighting to LED fixtures. I have run the boat in pretty rough water and never had an issue with the velcro. Good luck with your project.

Really well done!!!