Headliner on '78 Tartan 30

[fordo]

The PO added a hatch just aft of the mast on my Tartan 30. Apparently it is leaking so there is water above the headliner causing it to sag. I removed a portion of the headliner and found above it what appeared to be something like masonite (very wet masonite). The fiberglass above the masonite seems fine and the coach roof seems solid. I am planning to remove the affected masonite and replace it, after I find and fix the leak.

Is anyone familiar with this set up? I am thinking of using epoxy to hold the new masonite to the fiberglass. Any thoughts?

[mitiempo]

I'm not familiar with the Tartan but a lot of builders (including CS who built my boat) used either masonite or thin plywood with vinyl glued to it as a headliner. One of the problems with many boats is that the headliner is not removeable except in large sections. This makes it difficult to add deck hardware and access wiring or anything else that is hidden. My plan is to replace it with smaller sections, using thin plywood covered with light colored laminate (matt finish Formica), with varnished strips running side to side to cover the joins. It is also a good idea to protect the upper side of whatever you use with epoxy or paint so it won't absorb water. I would do this so that it is removeable as access would be next to impossible if you attached it with epoxy. Here's a link to James Baldwin's site detailing how he redid a headliner on a boat. Atom Voyages | Nicholson 31 Refit
Hope this helps.

[blt2ski]

I'll add a link to my headliner replacement for my Jeanneau too. My headliner was foam backed vinyl for the most part, with some thin ply with glued vinyl as mentioned my Brian. I did put more ply/vinyl than initial, as it is easier to remove and get to some of the deck fasteners vs the glued to the hull stuff.

Headlining Replacement

Marty

[mitiempo]

Marty
I read how you did your headliner quite a while ago. Good looking job. But if it is just the overhead in the main cabin, and doesn't have all the turns yours has from horizontal to vertical, I think what I have linked to might be easier as well as allow for full future access with the removal of a few screws.

[blt2ski]

Brian,

The main cabin is two large, and a smaller ply/vinyl piece. With screws going into the cabin top. With the screws hidden by caps. It also has some wood trim to cover the joints. Here is a link to an original brochure which shows the main salon a bit better. I have replaced that part too. I recall taking pics of the main salon, but have not put them into a "how I did it" article as of yet, I suppose I should work on that...........

I did breeze, ie 30 secs the link you did, and it is possible that a combo of what I linked, along with what you linked, may be best for the OP. It is not worth arguing over which option is better IMHO, as both methods have merit. I did smooth ply where it was not in most places, and where I have curves, and the real only option I could see was a foam vinyl to the hull.

Arcadia colour

Marty

[mitiempo]

Marty
I'm not arguing. It's been a long time since I read how you did this in detail. I just looked again and I see what you mean. The vertical surface treatment was more what I remembered. The good news is that the Tartan 30 has a headliner that is curved from side to side but not styled like yours so will be pretty straight forward by comparison. These are pics of a 1977 Tartan 30

[blt2ski]

Brian,

That ceiling is alot like my main cabin. I'm probably done in a very similar fashion.

Marty