Headlining

The Westerly Droop

Vinyl headlining with a foam backing has a life of aproximately 20 years after which the foam turns to a black, toxic powder. On some Westerly yachts (eg Centaur) the lining was glued direct to the grp using a contact adhesive. Eventually the foam turns to powder leaving the contact adhesive still attached to the GRP. The vinyl then sags producing the appearance of the inside of a Bedouin tent or the so called "Westerly Droop".

Over the years several different techniques have been evolved to deal with this.

Try to stick it back

Usually this is unsuccessful or at best only partially satisfactory. The powdery surface behind the vinyl is difficult to stick back and at the edges the vinyl may no longer be sufficient to cover the space.

Support it with Lathes

If the vinyl is in reasonable condition this can be quite an effetive "bodge". Thin lathes say 0.5" wide can be sprung into a bow that supports the vinyly across the roof. The edges of the lathes can be located in notches in the curtain rails on either side of the cabin and two thicknesses of lathes can be used to give a multilayer spring effect in the central region. The effect can look quite pleasing and is effective for supporting the central area of the vinyl however the edges may be a problem and eventually the vinyl will become too soiled to make it worthwhile.

Rip it all Off

Be careful to use an industrial mask to avoid breathing the dust and then clean up the glue from the GRP using rotary "face off" discs in an electric drill. The "face off" discs are very effective at removing the old layer of contact adhesive - much more so than solvents! Not all the old adhesive need to be removed but it may be easier to clean it all off to start with than have to come back and clean bits that have been missed.

Then

Either replace with similar foam backed material glued to the grp with contact adhesive good for the next 20 years. This can either be done DIY or there are firms tha will do it for you (see WOA magazine for advertisers)>

OR

Replace with vinyl clad 4mm marine play panels. THis has the advantage that it is removeable and wires can be concealed behind the panels. Later Westerly models used this technique.

OR

Cover in wood eg thin Tongue and Grooved boards

OR

Cover marine carpeting

OR

Cover in other materials that may come to hand such as Bamboo matting (occasionally available from Lidls