1988 Seville Bowrider 16 - Need Advice

[basak]

Hi all,

Really pumped to be writing my first post. I just bought an 88 Seville today on CL for $2500. It's in surprisingly good shape. Has a 100 hp mercruiser in it (sorry for any inaccurate terms, boating newbie here). There are some things I'd really like to improve cosmetically, just looking for some advice.

1) I really want to replace the instrument panel area. It looks pretty worn out. Any advice on where to get a more modern looking dash that fits and replacement gauges? Any advice on this in general? Same issue with the glove box on the left hand side.

2) I'd really like a trailerable cover but don't necessarily want it to be so expensive that I get angry when birds crap all over it in the backyard. Suggestions on this?

3) Desperately need to recarpet it in a solid way. Suggestions on where to source carpet without breaking the bank? Marine carpet? I've heard some do indoor/outdoor.

4) Suggestions on a good audio solution for music? I'd usually end up plugging in our Bluetooth sync to my phone.

Pictures below.

Any detail you can provide would be great. Really glad to be able to reach out to people with experience!

Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[takemboating]

find a marine dealer in your area, someone one on the site could recommend one. investigate on the site what you need to check on an outboard to be sure it is ready to run. make sure the boat does what you would like before spending money on cosmetics. read, read, read. this site is loaded with information. from the pictures it looks like a nice boat. figure out what it will do and what you would like to do before spending a bunch of money.

jv

 

[NorCal Boater]

First of all welcome and congrats on figuring out how to post pics in your first post. I'll try and give you my opinions for some of your questions.

1. There are several companies that make replacement panels and some advertise on this site. The internet and eBay are your best friend. If you want to replace the gauges look on eBay in the Boat Parts section. There are hundreds to choose from. If you want to make some panels yourself look on line for companies that sell sheet plastics. Here in California I use Tap Plastics. Not sure if they are in TN.

2. Covers?....eBay again. Many to choose from in many price ranges, colors and types.

3. Carpet. Don't do indoor/outdoor. Do an online search for boat or marine carpet. The biggest challenge you will have is removing the old carpet and the old glue. It all has to come up. You can buy boat carpet online that will be an exact match for your boat.

4. A sound system just depends on how much you want to spend. Do not use a car stereo. Be sure and buy a head unit, amp (optional) and speakers that are all suitable for the marine environment. Check your local West Marine store and look at their selection and then again, go online to purchase.

Again, welcome to the club. Nice looking boat.

 

[basak]

3. Carpet. Don't do indoor/outdoor. Do an online search for boat or marine carpet. The biggest challenge you will have is removing the old carpet and the old glue. It all has to come up. You can buy boat carpet online that will be an exact match for your boat.

Thanks so much for the info. Re: the carpet. I've been doing some research online and I'm a bit overwhelmed. As I understand it, I should probably be looking for cut pile since i'll have to cut through it, apparently berber, once cut, can just fall apart? Also, I keep hearing that 20 oz. is a solid weight. Is that about right? Just trying to find a durable carpet that will last. I keep going back to corinthian, but not sure if i'm seeing all of my options.

Finally.. Color? I desperately need suggestions. the blue in there is WAY too blue, it's cheesy. I was thinking maybe a charcoal grey, or very dark navy. Looking for suggestions of what might look classy, but still help keep it clean.

Thanks again!

 

[NorCal Boater]

Corinthian is supposed to be good. Check out www.boatcarpetcentral.com They have several grades of carpet and many colors. You can even order samples to see what looks the best. I will be ordering from them in a couple of weeks.

As for color, keep in mind that the darker it is the hotter it will be. I had dark brown carpet in a Sea Ray that unbelievably got uncomfortably hot in the sun. In looking at the pics of your boat I'm not sure if you can get away with Charcoal. Navy would work color-wise but could get warm. I would order a few samples and see what might work. Because you are going to need to glue this down I don't see a problem using a Berber or sculptured material. I kind of like their Berber Marine Blue for your boat. As for weight I'm going to order the 16 oz. for my Cobalt. Mostly because of the color.

Shawn

 

[basak]

Corinthian is supposed to be good. Check out www.boatcarpetcentral.com They have several grades of carpet and many colors. You can even order samples to see what looks the best. I will be ordering from them in a couple of weeks.

As for color, keep in mind that the darker it is the hotter it will be. I had dark brown carpet in a Sea Ray that unbelievably got uncomfortably hot in the sun. In looking at the pics of your boat I'm not sure if you can get away with Charcoal. Navy would work color-wise but could get warm. I would order a few samples and see what might work. Because you are going to need to glue this down I don't see a problem using a Berber or sculptured material. I kind of like their Berber Marine Blue for your boat. As for weight I'm going to order the 16 oz. for my Cobalt. Mostly because of the color.

Shawn

Thanks Shawn, that's helpful. I did just end up going with Corinthian. Derrick over there was very helpful. I chose granite heather, which is a grey. I'm assuming it's going to end up looking lighter than the sample picture looks (attached). It's 16 oz like yours, which is lighter than I thought I'd end up going, but after removing the old carpet, I've noticed that there are so many nooks and crannies that the lighter weight may make life easier during installation. Any recommendations on a good glue that won't break the bank? That's the next step. Also, any recommendations for installing carpet would be appreciated.

I'm also going to be upgrading the dash. The stock dash for the 1988 seville looks pretty cheap. I'll probably keep the enclosure but create a panel from scratch. Suggestions on a material to use for this that looks good? Will also end up getting new gauges. Probably Faria.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I re-made the flybridge panel on my 52' with 3/16" ABS from Tap Plastics. It has a nice wrinkle-y finish and not too expensive.

 

[dvx216]

If you wanted to freshen up the dash you could pull the dash front and wrap it with some new vinyl . If you would go with a matching blue or white it would really make the black gauges pop.Love the Sea Ray white Merc my 230 WE. is a 1988 model with white Merc outdrive. If I'm correct the white Merc was when mercury was purchased by Brunswick marine the white Merc was only used for 1988.