Engine hatch covers, complicated graphical vinyl covers

[Danski84]

How are some of the more complicated, graphical vinyl coverings such as on go-fast boats being put together?  Is this just a really complicated, really precise pattern, cut, and sew?  Seems nearly impossible to get all those super skinny graphics, and complex radiuses to all line up perfectly with different colors, shapes, some shapes inlayed completely in a larger piece etc.  Then you have manufactures like Cigarette or Fountain that put their names and logos in the middle of them.   I've never taken one apart, but am I missing something here?

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/attachments/powerquest/334470d1207228712-sunpad-pictures-new-lounge.jpg

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/attachments/powerquest/334588d1207266160-sunpad-pictures-100_2516-small-.jpg

[Mojo]

I have done patterns in the past on boats and must confess I am not the expert here in this group on this subject.
But when I did multiple colors and patterns I cut out each pattern in the corresponding colors and stitched them.
It can be tedious work and while I was learning how to do this I admit I ruined a lot of fabric. : )

In regards to names, many of us have them embroidered first on the vinyl and then sew them into the seats or whatever.
This is especially popular with automotive headrests.

We have 2 resident experts on this subject who have done more boats then you can shake a stick at - Ricat & Mike.
Both are some of the best marine fabricators around. Their cushion work is out of this world amazing. Maybe one will see this post
and respond. I put Rick and Mike into the master category in marine upholstery work.

Sorry I cannot help you more. I am nowhere near an expert on this type of work.

Mojo

[Mojo]

Here is some of Mike's work:

www.bayviewcanvas.com

Here is some of Ricks work:

www.catalinacustom.com

[kodydog]

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/attachments/powerquest/334470d1207228712-sunpad-pictures-new-lounge.jpg

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/attachments/powerquest/334588d1207266160-sunpad-pictures-100_2516-small-.jpg

Technology is forever advancing. Its amazing what can be printed onto different type surfaces. Your first photo most certainly is a design printed onto vinyl. Boat wraps are a good example with unlimited designs. Some are pretty awesome. The head rest thingies were likely sewn. We once designed advertising for the back windows on our van. We had it made at a local print shop. It was applied with a heat gun by the print shop. Neat thing was you could see out but you could not see in.

The channels in the second photo look like they are heat-pleated vinyl. The design once again was printed onto the vinyl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23aPz7-BGGg

[Danski84]

I'll have to take a closer look next time I'm near some of this more graphical stuff.   I've never worked on any performance boats as I mostly do canvas and enclosures.  Basically the vinyl layer of the upholstery is "built" with all these color vinyls impregnated into the cloth backing, for lack of better terms?

[MinUph]

When I lived in NY at the marina I kept our boats at had a canvas man come in to do work on canvas and seats. They would sew all these colored sections into the cover. I'm sure now a days there are printing techniques that allow printing onto the vinyl but it was hand done before.

[SteveA]

Where were you in NY Paul ?

Steve

[MinUph]

Syracuse

[SteveA]

That's way north - I rarely go past Newburgh.  I can see why you choose Florida - the north has that Canadian cold drifting down -
Enjoy the tropical weather
SA

[Mike]

That steady cutting and sewing verry time consuming.
Steve its freezing down here only 46° tonight and foing down

[Darren Henry]

the north has that Canadian cold drifting down -   


I have a sale on it right now, if you'd like to stock up. Wind chills have been below -40 for the entire month I was in hospital. Warmed up just as I got home, but still too cold to work outside comfortably.