replacing headliner in cabin

[madmax]

i have a 1980 23 ft septre and i need to replace the headliner, any suggestions would be appreciated. mad max

[Miles Offshore]

I'll try to help you out here Max.I have never done a boat but have done plenty of auto's. After you remove the old material, wire brush the top until there is nothing remaining ,foam,glue material,etc. After this is done and you buy the material you want to replace it with (dont cut yourself short)get a measurement that will allow you a foot or so extra all the way around.

You are more than likely going to have a seam or two so I would recommend going across the grain (port to stbd)starting where you first enter the cabin and the short side (width of the material going forward).
Get a chalk line or marker and mark the center line of the boat in the overhead ,then fold the headliner material and mark the center on the inside as well.

Go to your local paint dealer, hardware store etc and find you a several cans of waterproof spray adhesive.

Wearing a respirator you will need to spray the inside of the boat where the headliner will go first. (can be nasty so keep some solvent handy to unglue yourself!)Let it dry for 5 minutes or so, no rush.
Now you will need an extra set of hands.Spray some adhesive down the line on the material in just a 6"or so pattern. Keep in mind if you are going around that hatch cover you will have to keep that in mind whenapplying the glue (start spraying the glue 12/16"up the line and then moving forward to where you will be starting to apply the material along the center line

Carefully align and stick the material holding steady pressure frwd and aft and match line to line.
Next you will have to work one side at a time and work your way out.then repeat for the other side.
This is where it is tough and where you get your wrinkles if you are not careful. You will need to hold steady pressure on the edge of the material while the other guy sprays and tacks it up. Cheaper materials are usually more forgiving if you make a mistake and either way if you get a pucker and pull it back out quick, then no problem.
The area of material hanging over the hatch should be cut 45° like a "Y" shape then glue and trim it as necessary.
When you get to needing to glue a seam overlay the new piece of material on the glued piece. Glue it right over top of the other piece appromatly 1" overlap.Mark the edge ,lift up the new piece to seam, trim the existing piece down the line you just drew, and wala, nice seam.Any glue residue can be removed fairly easily with solvent just do it quickly. Sorry for the long post, its not that hard really just a little tricky keeping those wrinkles out!!! Good luck-craig