Bare Naked Outback

[liquidcat]

Well after picking up My New 2k Moomba Outback ...
I decided to re-do the stereo, it then escaladed to the carpet and now the upholstery.

It's very compulsive...
To all the Moomba owners out there, man, who ever put my boat together had a very bad week, month or just plain clumsy.

I've been very dissapointed with Moomba or the fool who put mine together.
I feel they did or do a very poor job assembling these boats.
Starters, the upholstery had many errors, seams not sewn properly, staples rusted, cheap foam on seats. They actually put a screw through the rear back rest upholstery just so it can hold on to the body.

Like an extra nut and bolt would hurt or maybe 20 more minutes.

Assembly, screws holding deck boards all crooked one wasnt even screwed anywhere.

The only thing that Ive found right has been the engine.

I bought this in January with 70 hours from the original owner which really didnt use it.

These simple things you will probably only find if you decide to look very closely. Simple but very expensive.
Well after all this blah blah blah this is what it looks like before the makeover.

To Do List for tomorrow:
Monster Tower

Glue Carpet
Lunch

Staple seats
Gator Grip on Platform
6 Pack Amstel Light
4 Attwood Cleats

Sunday
Install Rear Seat
Panels with Speakers / Neon lights
3 Pair of 6.5 Speakers
1 Amp
12 " Sub
Sony MP3 Player

Ill keep you posted

[kyle]

damn, that boat is more stripped down than your sister was on prom night

[Diggs]

Damn that much need for a 2000..... Sounds like Skiers Choice has made a lot of improvements to Moomba since they picked it up. I have heard real positive things since..

[anti-shoobies]

Why put so much time and money in such a boat??

[Dave W]

Because not all of us can drop the kind of money for a really nice wake specific boat anti-shoobies. Give it ten years or so and you might start to understand why someone would do that much work to a boat. I have been rebuilding the seats in my boat one at a time as they totally fall apart. If I was as ambitious as liquidcat I probably would have done the same thing he's doing because all the seats need it.

liquidcat. Be sure to post some pictures of what the final product looks like.

[liquidcat]

The good thing is that I have uphoilstery skills and in reality all the interior has cost me about $200. Vinyl, Welt Cord, Hidem and staples.

The carpet has been about $400 from Boat US @ $22 P/F

So were talking about 1K investment? Now take it to a shop and youll come out with no limbs.

To me is not so much the cost but the time you spend hooking your boat up and know that its unique.


Here's some shots of the "The Shop / Dining room"

[darty]

the quality of moomba has definitely increased since Skier's Choice took them over...I had new Moomba's every year 1998 through 2001, and the difference in quality from the first to the last was absolutely amazing.

[Wakebrad]

liquidcat, I've never messed with vinyl work but I've been wanting to redo the seats of the boat myself to save some money. Is that last pic you posted the finished product from what you did? If so it looks incredible. Is there like a step by step process I could follow on how to do something similar out there? Did you do the different colors on the backseat yourself? That looks pretty difficult. How much time did the seats take you? Do you need to have a special sowing machine? Any info would be appreciated.

-Brad

[prestige]

That's pretty scary for a 2000 boat with 70 hrs! Was it the original owners fault for taking poor care of his boat? When did Skier's choice take them over? I would assume they continued making them in the same plants? What's to say the procedures and materials have changed? Has anyone had a tour of their plant before and/or after?

[Dave W]

I agree with wakebrad. If those back seats pictured are your vinyl work I'm totally impressed. Looks nice. Like I said before, be sure to post some pictures of the finished product.

[KurtInCincy]

I like his Simpsons poster. Best part is it's in the Dining room. Classic! LOL. Oh and nice work on the upolstery so far too.
That should look totally pimp with a Monster tower and tower accessories. What color did you get?

[liquidcat]

Well another day at work
The carpet looks off the hook, talk about a face lift.
Well regarding upholstery, is not that hard it just requires patience and patience.

Well thats the final rear seat.
I got a $ 99 Kenmore from Sears but again I did upholstery for a few years, about 7 years ago, so I was rusty but it was like riding a bike.

If you can get your hands on a Juki for about a couple $100.
These machines kick A$$.
As for the seats
once removed, put them out to dry.
Get some scissors/ shears/ and find an open seam begin
taking the seams apart, have someone help you hold one end and lightly put one side the shears to it and it will cut through.

Once evrything is taken apart get a steamer if not an iron, cup of water and a towel will do. (Poor Man's Steamer)

Place the first piece of vinyl with the vinyl facing down.
Put towel on top and pour water, soak it.
Make sure your Iron is WOT, hot
Iron the vinyl to get all the edges flattened out

Ok , Note Your vinyl (seats) has been used so it will be uneven.
No worries, cut out a piece off your new vinyl bigger than your old piece.
If its a symetrical piece you only trace half , fold it an you got a perfect fit piece. If its not symetrical take the foam part place it facing the down on the back of the vinyl and trace it around the edge with a steady hand, it will be about 1/2" bigger and your good to go.

Keep in mind that vinyl in heat stretches so measure twice cut once.

Using a sewing machine, grab some scrap play with it until your familiar with the foot pedal.

You can do it with a POS machine as long as it can do denim /jeans.
Your not trying to start a shop just a project, but if you can get an industrial machine.
Actually read the manual for some sewing tips like cutting corners/ round / tight etc/ walking the machine ( by hand)
Key rule give your cut a 1/2 inch more that will be your sewing line.


Actually Ill be doing this procedure tomorrow night with the front locker.
Ill document everything for those interested.

I thought the tower wouldve been up today but this carpet thing beat the hell outta me.

The Tower is black and I hope to have it done tomorrow, will keep you posted.

"Prestige"
The previous owner had this boat just in the back yard catching the rays.
I actually found a bird nest behind the dash"

[seven20]

that boat will be a better built boat than when you started for sure. As for the quality, it sin't just your boat, it is skiers choice. I work/dad owns a marine upholstery shop and we worked on a supra (2002 launch sv) and there was a screw poking through the back seat that cut the owners foot so bad he needed stitches...other aspects of the construction were not up to par after looking at the boat either so you are doing your boat a favor. It is looking nice

[Wakebrad]

Thats awesome, thanks for the advice. How did you get the tubing on there? That looks really good. Is there a good book I might be able to read on the subject to learn the odds and ends?

[liquidcat]

well the welt cord is actually stapled after words around the edges.
But on the other items it will be sewn into the seams actaully that is what keeps the seams together, look at it as reinforcement and protection.
I got my supplies from www.rochfordsupply.com
Cheap, one stop shop, so far $ 200.00

5 yards of Black Marine Vinly
5 yards of Sand vinyl
1 roll of Engraved Welt cord
1 roll of Black Hidem (cover up trim)
5 24"X72" 1/2 Inch Foam
As for Upholstery Books I couldnt tell you, cuz I dont know any.

But you have the NET if you decide to go ahead with it let me know I can assist you, turst me is not that hard.

The cool thing is you can get creative, meaning pleading the rear seat, designs, personally I just wanted a new clean look.

Im actually making some socks for my monster tower for when its collapsed.

If your buy a sewing machine and dont want to spend much,
Test the machine with 6layers of vinyl or 3 Vinly and a welt cord.
The one I got did the job but I wouldnt recommend it for a newbie.
Dont let the salesman tell you otherwise, unless he can sew. when I bought this one this lady swore you couldnt do it. Im going back to the mall today and Ill bring the camera to show her, it's skill baby.

Today I have the Tower and some carpet.
Ill kepp yall posted

[Wakebrad]

Sweet. I think this will be a winter project. $200 for new interior is awesome and I think working on it would be a lot of fun. My aunt is a really good seamstress, I think I'll ask her about some of this stuff. I wonder if she might have a sewing machine that would be able to handle it. I'm sure I'll have a million and one questions for you when I get started. Keep us posted. Great work so far.

-Brad

[chane]

Looks like allot of work!

Does it have 2 bimini's or what?

Where are the pics of the carpet and tower??

[Jay Dutton]

That's awesome man. I plan on gutting The Dixie in a few weeks and been looking into the supplies to do it myself. I found marine vinyl for $25 for five yards and marine carpet for $150 shipped on Ebay. My neighbor is this lady that loves to sew and wants to help out. I'll post pics when I do mine.

I also want to make a snap on boat cover and I'm going to make a bimini w/a tube frame. If you've got talent in those areas hints would be nice.

Can't wait to see your finished result.

[liquidcat]

The weather here now really sucks it has delayed everything.
Its too cold to glue and the rain wont stop to try to install the tower.
Thinsg should clear up by tomorrow.

Check out www.rochfordsupply.com they sell Bimini Kits also.

[liquidcat]

Here's an update Hopefully the weather helps me out and I should have the Monster Tower up tomorrow.

I also need to add the trim to touch up the edges.

[Shawn Madison]

Bro, I hope you got a good deal for the work you are having to put into it-otherwise I would just go throw myself down some stairs!

Nice work! Wish I had those skills!

[liquidcat]

Well the good thing is I have a bit of support, my girl went and bought most of the stuff and actually helped me pull the carpet out, and get this party going.

It all started because I went and rented a steam cleaner - waste of time and $$$. My friend at Boat US talked me into it and I was sold believe If I knew what the future held (work wise) I wouldve left it alone.

But once you start theres no looking back, and now it looks like I expected it. Yeah its a lot of work but the gratification is worth it.

So far it has been about $ 1100 in the whole makeover, not including the tower.
Ill keep it going until the final day

[Shawn Madison]

liquidcat, Keep us informed! I should look great when you get done with it. Post some tower pics when you get them up! You must have some really good patience!

[liquidcat]

Will do, actually just finished the deck with gator grip

[Nor*Cal]

What a project. Good work. Can't wait to see the final product.

[JR]

lookin good liquidcat, keep the faith...

[Dave W]

Wow. I am totally impressed. Looking great.

[DiyGuy]

WOW, I've taken on some project, but that is incredible ambition and great quality workmanship.

Can you be bought? (when you are done with yours, that is)

[liquidcat]

Thnx for the support ppl.
I couldnt do anything today Ill be back on track tomorrow.

Ill keep ya posted.

DIY - Bought, what do you have in mind?

[liquidcat]

Well today wasnt much man, the sun was blasting. Im actually gettting worried because I should be in the water.
In addition this or next week D.C. VA. MD. is having the 17 year Cicada plague.

I wish I couldve had the tower up but man Kitty Hair upside down is a pain.

But here's the update for your entertainment.

The next will be the final shot.

[liquidcat]

here are some more
Im almost there

[ttuclint]

wow, that looks really nice.

[lakeboarder]

Bee you tee full!! Very nice job.

[Brit Rider]

is it al finished yet? can we some final shots out on the water?

this sure has been a nice project to follow - great work

[andrew james]

Yea, i've checked this thread every time you update, it's been cool to watch the boat progress. Excellent job bro.