Am I Wrong For Wanting a Headliner?

[Hays]

So, although there's plenty of issues that are far higher on the priority list, it's fun to indulge all the cosmetic ideas I have for my new boat. One thing that really bugs me is the ceiling in my cabin - there's bolts (I'm assuming for the decking) every four inches, across the entire cabin ceiling...though it doesn't continue into the v-berth. There's a picture below for visual reference.

Is there anything that I can do to pretty this up? Some sort of fabric or wooden headliner/ceiling/anything? Or would this be a bad idea? If so, why?

[blt2ski]

I would say no, HERE is a link to how I redid the head liner on my boat. Granted the aft cabin, with a link to the heads area. it might give you a picture of how to go about making your current ceiling a bit prettier

Altho my the picture purspective, it appears like the wood is supposed to be the covering for the fiberglass ceiling. that some one did not remove putting bolts all the way thru the cabin top if I am understanding you correctly. SO removing the bolts, wood liner, then makig the bolts shorter, then installing new wood, or a thing plywood with vinyl and an easy way to remove for access to the deck bolts would be my thought, and how I would attempt to do what you want.

marty

[paulk]

Painting the overhead white might go a long way to improving the look without a huge amount of work. Dark ceilings make a space look lower. The numbers of bolts and screws seem excessive. Do they leak? Will they later?

[mitiempo]

Yes, but when you hit your head on a white painted bolt end it hurts as much as one not painted.
I agree with Marty's idea, if done carefully you should only lose maybe 1/2" or so headroom. The Cal 25 doesn't have much headroom to start with but a smooth lining will go a long way to prevent injuries as well as look a lot better.

[tager]

What's the deal with all the bolts?

[COOL]

Originally Posted by tager

What's the deal with all the bolts?

Many of them are fasteners for the deck hardware,
but I would guess that the plywood delaminated from
the fiberglass deck so it was mechanically refastened.
A little rebonding with epoxy may be warrented.
I would think that a new headliner would be way down
the list of things this boat needs. Get the boat so that
it is in funtional and structurally sound condition, then
get it out on the water and enjoy it.

[sailor50]

Whoa!

There are too many bolts up there for deck hardware unless this boat was used for the movie "Water World".

I think you need more than a headliner. She will be suffering from bolt blisters, not hull blisters.