Vinyl for cabin roofs

[Kudzu]

I know that Nautolex is no longer made so I am looking for an alternative.

Someone implied they had used marine grade upholstery material which there is not shortage of. Anyone heard or tried using it?? I am skeptical and spent so much time replacing the deck I don't want to put it down and find it doesn't work and have to repair the deck again.

[wizbang 13]

Can I talk you into dynel?

[Gordon Bartlett]

That old nautolex vynil was not like upholstery vynil.
Both are cloth backed vynil sheet, but the upholstery stuff is much softer, more pliable and stretchy. The vynil itself seems a little "foamy".
The nautolex was more solid feeling. Harder and not stretchy.
I would be uncomfortable using the soft, stretchy stuff.
It would only change the look a little to go with fiberglass and epoxy over the cabin top, painted white or off-white.
The fiberglass would also be more protective and would almost certainly last longer.
A much bigger problem would be trying to replicate the look of the old black-and-white Nautolex deck covering that was so popular on the '60's boats.

[Nicholas Carey]

Tolex maybe? The stuff guitar amps are covered with. Comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures. No idea how it is for UV resistance, though.

https://www.amplifiedparts.com/produ...80a275c272a980

https://www.mojotone.com/cabinets/ca...rpet-and-tweed

[Nicholas Carey]

But Nautolex appears to be still manufactured. Here's the manufacturer's web site:

https://www.omnova.com/design-center...5&region=AMER&

Here's "Cabin Topping White".

https://www.omnova.com/detail-1-1?ai...96&region=AMER

Here's the Nautolex distributor list.

https://www.omnova.com/fileadmin/Res...butor-List.pdf

Seems the US distributors for Nautolex Cabin Topping are

The Miami Corporation
720 Anderson Ferry Road
Cincinnati, OH 45238

Phone: (800) 543-0448
Fax: (800) 283-9840

https://www.miamicorp.com/

And

Reliatex
2201 NW 72nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33122
Phone: (305) 592-3220
Fax: (305) 592-4140

https://www.reliatex.com

For Europe, etc.,

Muraspec
Head Office
74-78 Wood Lane End
Hemel Hempstead
Herts HP2 4RF, UK

Phone: +44 (0) 1442 883199
Fax: +44 (0) 03705 329020

https://www.muraspec.com

[Kudzu]

No, do not want to epoxy the boat with Dynel.

That old nautolex vynil was not like upholstery vynil.
Both are cloth backed vynil sheet, but the upholstery stuff is much softer, more pliable and stretchy. The vynil itself seems a little "foamy".
The nautolex was more solid feeling. Harder and not stretchy.
I would be uncomfortable using the soft, stretchy stuff..

You are summing up my thoughts. I have a very small amount left over from where I restored this boat..... 20+ years ago.

I think the backing is way different too. Judging by the answers in that group I am got I thinking he, like most others, can't, didn't, wont take the time to read what I posted. Some of the answers just left me wondering if they could ever read.

[Kudzu]

Tolex maybe? The stuff guitar amps are covered with. Comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures. No idea how it is for UV resistance, though.

It is worth looking into!

But Nautolex appears to be still manufactured. Here's the manufacturer's web site:

https://www.omnova.com/design-center...=725®ion=AMER&

Here's "Cabin Topping White".

https://www.omnova.com/detail-1-1?ai...31996®ion=AMER

I have seen this in Defender and was under the impression this was headliner material. Reading this is has me questioning if that is the case. Need to inquire with them and see exactly what it is.

[Dave Hadfield]

It's an old concept of course. I'm still removing "Celastic" deck covering from Drake III, which was put on in about 1970 when the original canvas was leaking too much. It was a kind of linoleum that was softened by rolling from a trough of acetone before draping over the compound curves of the decks.

I can tell you for a fact, from much personal anguish and observation, and endless labour, that it's not as good at shedding water as fabric-with-epoxy is.

IMG_1221.jpg

[Breakaway]

It is worth looking into!




I have seen this in Defender and was under the impression this was headliner material. Reading this is has me questioning if that is the case. Need to inquire with them and see exactly what it is.

Nautolex was used as both cockpit and cabin sole, as headliner, as cabin top. Do check, but I dont recall that there was a different type for different applications.

Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Gordon Bartlett]

Nautolex was used as both cockpit and cabin sole, as headliner, as cabin top. Do check, but I dont recall that there was a different type for different applications.

Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

In 1973 I replaced all the Nautolex on an old plywood express cruiser. I recall three different types.
The deck and sole stuff was the heaviest and stiffest. The most popular pattern was embossed to look like narrow wood planks with contrasting caulk seams. It was also available with an embossed pebbled surface in numerous colors.
The cabin top type was thinner and lighter. It was usually white and it's surface was lightly stippled or embossed to give the appearance of very finely woven cloth.
The headliner type was lighter and thinner still, usually white, and perforated with tiny holes.

[Kudzu]

I have tried to verify this but it does seem that the Nautolex cabin topping sold by defender is what was used.... or at least an replacement for it.

I hope so, I have 6 yards on order and should be in tomorrow. We will find out and I will report back.

I contacted the manufacturer, got sent to someone and got voice mail. Of course they never bothered to call me back. That really ticks me off too.

[Kudzu]

Happy to report Natulex cabin topping sold by Defender is the same or darn close to the original.

Defender also had the best price. I only found it a couple of other places. One restoration shop had it but double the price!

[Boatbum]

Don't some people use Sunbrella like canvas and cover it with paint? I believe if functions much like a painted canvas deck.