Sailrite Insulation Option

K

kennharriet

Member
My wife and I insulated the Vberth with this product last winter and are very pleased with it after a years use. We plan to do the remainder of the cabin on our 22 this winter. It is available at Sailrite.com. To complete the Vberth took 6yds. of Item 769, "Headliner Foam Backed White 54 in." at $197.70. It took one can of aerosol adhesive Item 73211 "3M General Trim Adhesive" at $18.95. All seams were taped with white 3M Duct Tape from the local building supply. It took us about two hours to complete the Vberth. The product is fairly form fitting as you can see from the pictures. The liner is 1/4 in. thick so provides good insulation value.

headliner_002.sized.jpg
 
Good question Brent. We have been looking at two products from Sailrite in anticipation of lining the berth on our Tom Cat. We got very small samples of the foam backed headliner and nauga soft vinyl. I too am curious how it has held up.

Margaret, Gene & Docker
 
I haven't used this specific product, but I have taken down a number of similar older headliners (open celled foam with vinyl covering) in other boats (Albins had them). Because the foam is open-celled, they had absorbed a lot of moisture and gotten moldy. Ugh.

This may not be an issue in some C-Dory's because they may be used in dry climates, and/or stored indoors or under cover; but if you do use one in a moist environment, it's something to think about.
 
After a couple of years we are still very pleased with the product. It looks great and has eliminated condensation in the vberth. There is no moisture or mold between the hull and the material. It adheres good to the fiberglass and has not separated anywhere.

My wife and I did the install in an afternoon and if I remember right the cost of the insulation and aerosol adhesive was $200. No regrets. Ken
 
Has anyone installed nauga soft or other vinyl that does not have the open cell foam back? We live and play in a very wet region. We are concerned that moisture will get into to foam back headliner. Just wondering if the unbacked vinyl (nauga soft) will provide adequate insulation.
 
I can't say whether Naugahyde alone will be enough (it's obviously basically no R-value, but the change in texture might still be enough for you), but you might consider something from Armacell or similar. This would be a thin, flexible closed cell foam that could be painted or have something (Nauga...) adhered to it. I used to have a camper with a similar product glued to the walls from the factory (Ensolite) and know a few people who have insulated their sailboats with an Armacell product. It doesn't absorb moisture, being closed cell.
 
Only if there is an air space or foam (best closed cell) will any of the vinyl fabrics help with the condensation issues.

I used a closed cell PVC foam on several boats, and can no longer find it on the market. It was about 1/8" thick, conformed well to the surface, and glued well with 3/M spray adhesive. It was made in France, and I got it thru a distributer in Canada back about 30 to 35 years ago.
 
There is a product I used to use for a whole different purpose, called PeLite, a thermoplastice, closed cell foam in various thickness and densities available through JMS Plastics Supply. It is an excellent insulator, and in the denser version might be an excellent product for this purpose. It is not cheap, but it glues well with 3M spray glue and molds with heat to fit curves and crevices. For this type of use I would recommend the medium (at least) or the dense or Firm versions.

JMS Plastics Supply, Inc.
3535 Route 66, Building #4, Neptune, NJ 07753-2625
Voice: 732-918-8115 or 800-342-2602 Fax: 732-918-1131

http://www.jmsplastics.com/thermoplastic/pelite.php

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Thanks for all the input. Looks like the sailrite foam backed vinyl may be the best bet. Would like to have the "cave" insulated before we head to Alaska.
 
The foam backed headliner is still available. Perhaps it is the perforated foam backed headliner that is not available. I just ordered a small sample last month and it is still on the website.

Margaret
 
Ken,
How smooth, or loose, or "loopy" is the fabric cover? Would it attract "hook" Velcro? I used "headliner" carpet with out foam to line the cabin of Two Bears. Penny made a bunch of fabric pockets with hook Velcro to hold small things like pencils, keys, wallet & kitchen gear. We must have had a 30 or 40 of them and we loved them. Unfortunately, the glue I used for the headline is failing in places so this winter I'm going to have to pull it all down and start again.

Chuck
 
Larry,

I checked with Sailrite regarding the head liner and link to it at the beginning of this post. They said - "We replaced that one with the brand called “Seabrook Foam Backed Headliner”. http://www.sailrite.com/Seabrook-White- ... -Headliner

BTW – Jody Kidd had a good idea to make a form fitting cover for the outside of the v-berth that could be snapped on when needed. I experimented with the concept by placing moving blankets over the outside of the v-berth one night when it was freezing at Yellowstone Lake. Not a drop of condensation. Still toying with this idea.
 
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