2016 Archive : 1977 Sleek Craft Boat

Project Details

Fabric 1

sterling cup loop carpet
Producer:
Supplier: Rochford Supply

Fabric 2

vinyl ebony
Producer:
Supplier: Rochford Supply

Fabric 3

vinyl gray
Producer:
Supplier: National Fabrics

Fabric 4

vinyl orange
Producer:
Supplier: National Fabric

Design Name
Penny Johnson

Design Company
Nickle Ink Upholstery

Fabrication Name
Penny Johnson

Fabrication Company
Nickle Ink Upholstery

Project Manager Name
Penny Johnson

Project Manager Company
Nickle Ink Upholstery

Installation Name
Jamie Johnson

Installation Company
Nickle Ink Upholstery

Please describe the project specifications

My client has been restoring this old boat for several years and the interior was his last step before it is allowed to soak up the H2o it has been deprived of for so many years, (poor thing). He acquired this 1977 Sleek Craft boat with just a horrible looking rear seat, no carpet no captains chairs, no side panels or bulk head cover. One could say it was a brand new 38 year old boat, well almost.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

My client gave me many liberties, and I took advantage of that. He ordered new captains chairs that I took off the white and black vinyl, and replaced with the gray, orange and black vinyl. He wanted some piping in it and he had a picture of captains chairs that he liked. I went by the picture a little but he also said he wanted something that would make it stand out from the average boat, he wanted side panels but there wasn't much to attach them to and the bulk head needed to be covered. Oh yes, he also wanted carpet all the way from the bow of the boat, to the bulk head and from the bulk head to the engine compartment, and up the insides of the boat.

What is unique or complex about the project?

Starting with the carpet, in 2 pieces, each 8' x8' the cockpit was not very difficult at all, however with a maximum of 20" of clearance, and that is right at the bulk head and gets smaller as you get to the bow, and being a little claustrophobic, it very quickly became a challenge for me, i had to take several breaks on that one. Once completed I moved on to the captains chairs, I really wanted to do something unique for this client and what came to mind was the quilting of the vinyl, my thinking was, well it can't be that difficult, I do quilting with fabric all the time, well vinyl is very different it likes to move around on the foam but once I got it down I really went to town with it, I incorporated it in each piece, I will definitely try that gain just remember to mark where each line is on vinyl and foam so it doesn't get kittywampus on me. Once the captains chairs were in the boat I started on the rear seat, I needed to made sure everything would flow together, once that was done I worked on what became my favorite in the boat, the side panels, I absolutely love how they turned out, I made sure each of the pieces had just enough of the quilting and the edges of each piece has the orange to make it all flow so beautifully, I think there is enough orange to really grab your eye and just enough black to make it all pop. I just couldn't be more proud of how this boat turned out.

What were the results of the project?

Just seeing the look on my clients face when he looked in this boat was priceless. He was next to speechless, he did however manage to get out several wow's. He brought along a buddy of his and he just kept saying look at the bulkhead look at the side panels look at those seats look at that awesome stitching, I felt so proud of my work. I don't believe I have ever had a more satisfied customer. I now have work to do on his pontoon and his helicopter seats. Yes, I am one proud upholsterer.

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