Dry-Mat Underlay - A Full Review
The team renovate a Seamaster 950 V-berth using dry-mat underlay by Shipshape Bedding. Does it stand up to the test or do they need to consider other options?
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Boat-Renovation.com is a website for those who share a passion and love for marine DIY, sailing and liveaboard life. We frequently provide tutorials and news on all aspects of boat renovation, restoration and building. There is nothing boat renovation people love more than giving an old boat a new lease of life. From major internal works to small repairs we love it all. We give thousands of boating enthusiasts across the world a place to learn, love, share and build.
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The Search For Female Boat Builders
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Boat Renovation People - The Story
The story began in 2014 when Louis took the plunge and bought his first Yacht; a Jaguar 27 long keel fibreglass boat, In which would become his home and ultimately his passion.
With no experience in marine DIY or sailing Louis began the journey into creating an affordable living space. The backlash of unaffordable renting in the South East Coast town of Brighton meant Louis had plenty of inspiration to look for a new and affordable home. Once he had located a mooring in which he could live just outside of Brighton Louis began searching for suitable boats.
A Jaguar 27 project boat came up and happened to be in one of the only local marinas that allowed blind eye liveaboards. Jumping to the opportunity Louis convinced his partner to join him in a joint venture and taking the plunge into liveaboard life. This boat would be their home for the next three years and a place where Louis would learn all of the basic tasks involved in boat renovation and restoration. Asking local chandleries for advice as well as your fair share of liveaboards Louis grew a natural passion for all marine DIY and boat renovation. Louis decided to look for sailors, cruisers and liveaboards alike who share the same passion and the website was born. Boat Renovation People is now an open website with guest blogs posts and tutorials from all walks of life. The website continues to educate and connect hundreds of thousands of people every year.
The Moto
"Boats should be accessible to everyone regardless of class or wealth. BRP is a way in which that information can be made accessible to the masses whilst helping others to enjoy the renovation of boats." - Louis Derry
More About Louis's First Boat Renovation
The plan was to convert an old Jaguar 27 Twin Keel Yacht from a dated day cruiser to a warm and cosy liveaboard home. The original gelcoat and non-slip areas were in what we would call an okay state, which meant the internal cabin areas and sleeping compartments were where the real work began. It was our mission to sort most of the currently non-existent basics such as heads, hot water, water pumps, bilge pumps, windows, hatches and lights. Equally as important was storage: on a liveaboard storage is a major factor which meant having to re-fit the galley, heads areas and pretty much anywhere else that space could be gained.
Once all of the internal work had been completed we could focus on what we call the "Fun Stage"; the choosing of a theme throughout the boat and running with it. Upholstery such as cushions, curtains and carpets were added to bring warmth and style to the boat. The last stage was really the external clean up, polishing gelcoat, restoring all the hardwood areas such as the hatches, grab rails, cockpit battens; bringing the boat back up to its former glory. The Jaguar 27 was definitely a learning curve and a founding building block for what would become our passion for boat renovation.
