Malibu interior work recommendation.

[Ronnie]

This is an FYI if your needing another option for boat interior work.

I have contacted Chris Phillips in Tennessee. I met this guy at the Malibu factory several years ago and he has done some very nice work for me. He was with Malibu from 1990-2011. He was the upholstery supervisor when I met him. He (and a couple of others) designed the interiors for Malibu and he still has all the patterns. He now works for Skier's Choice in their upholstery area designing their interiors for the new models. He's a consultant for a couple of Marine fabric companies. He still does Malibu interiors for older boats on the side. He still has "some" older vinyl. A lot of it is out of production now since it was "Malibu Only" vinyl. The companies quit making it when Malibu quit buying it. He gets his payment when he delivers his product. Not money in advance. He does't answer his personal phone during his work hours at Skier's Choice. He calls back in the evenings or weekends. He's booked until end of Jan now.

Chris Phillips
865-388-2742

Edited by Ronnie on 5.17.15;

Chris Phillips called me this morning. He wanted me to relay this info.

He says he offeres his sincerest apology but he will not be able to do any more interior work for a while. His Dr. advises him to take a break and he still does the interior designs for Skiers Choice. They are about to go into model change so this will compound his time problems. He says he doesn't even have time to mow his yard. He is very appreciative of everyone that has sent him work and he says he is pleased with the working relationship he has formed with TheMalibuCrew.com but he needs to take a break and not promise anyone work that he will not be able to complete in a timely manner.

As soon as he gives me the go ahead that he can take more work or offer another person that will do the type of work we expect, I'll post it up here.

[dalt1]

He is about to get swamped. Just my guess.

[Levi900RR]

He needs a more uncommon name...

[martinarcher]

That's great news. Thanks Ronnie. Good to know there's another good interior guy for us!

[Steve B.]

I'm hoping for some kind of update on Chee. Just hope he's okay.

Steve B.

[WakeGirl]

I'm hoping for some kind of update on Chee. Just hope he's okay.

Steve B.

If there's an update on Chee, I'm sure that it will be posted in one of the numerous Chee threads. Let's not turn this into one of those since Ronnie was nice enough to post such helpful info.

[cherry ride]

Has any one ever used www.copycatupholstery.com?

[ibelonginprison]

Curious about his pricing. I have a few places I'd like to get touched up.

Might even just take the whole damn boat to him. Lol

[cherry ride]

I called him last night and left a message.

[williemon]

What is special about "malibu vinyl" ? On my 01 vlx I notice it is softer than on my old 88 model i/o but that softness translates into easy cuts, tears, odd staining, ripped seams. My 88 vinyl that is not as soft has lasted all this time and still looks good save for a spot or two.

Why always try to go with "malibu vinyl"? Is it the colors or something special about the vinyl? Would other vinyl work as well?

[Ronnie]

More than likely so it will match the older vinyl in the boat that's not being replaced at that time. Chris told me if someone is doing the complete boat, he tries to get them to use more modern vinyl. Sometimes that's the only option since the old vinyl is not to be found.

[chris4x4gill2]

Has any one ever used www.copycatupholstery.com?

I used them when I redid my old Nautique. I was happy with the finished product, but their communication was terrible.

Here is a full review I wrote back then:

This is a review of Copycat Upholstery Inc., a company in Orlando, Florida that specializes in mail order boat upholstery. I am writing this to share my experience with the company and their product and to hopefully help others make an informed decision.

Their contact info is:

Copycat Upholstery Inc

3416 Shader Road

Orlando, FL 32808

www.copycatcovers.com

Toll Free: (888) 599-9366

Email: [email protected]

Sales: [email protected]

As anyone that has even thought about pricing a new interior for their boat knows, replacing all of the vinyl upholstery in your boat can be very costly. When I got the green light from the boss lady to do this project, I started to get quotes from various places both local and mail order. These prices ranged from $2500 to $1000 for my 1989 Ski Nautique (20ft closed bow ski boat). Now, that’s quite a difference.

I intend to break this up into 3 sections: Customer Service, Product Quality, and Overall Impression.

Customer Service Rating: 3/10

Copycat came in at the low end of the pricing spectrum at just over $1100. I submitted a request for quote through their website in August of 2010. I received a prompt reply from Scott at Copycat giving me a price. I was not ready to purchase yet and he continued to keep in touch by email over the next several weeks. In late August, I received a promotional email from Copycat offering 15% off for orders placed by the end of the month.

I had already decided to give Copycat a try so this was icing on the cake. I went ahead and placed the order. Copycat required a 50% deposit up front to reserve a date of my choice. I scheduled my slot for Dec 6th 2010 and was promised a 2 week turnaround. In the next week, I received a package from Copycat containing my invoice and receipt as well as vinyl samples. I also received an email from Scott to verify that I had received the package.

In late November, I contacted Scott again asking what information he needed and the best way to send it. He told me to select the colors I wanted, write the details down and send the details and the color sample with the skins. I also added some special instruction. I asked for the “storage pocket” to be duplicated in grey rather than the original red and for the original of that piece to be returned.

I shipped my skins to Copycat on Nov 30th to make sure they had them in hand for the Dec 6th slot I had reserved. I also called to confirm that they received the covers later that week. I was expecting them to be finished and returned by Christmas. Christmas came and went without new skins and I really didn’t think anything of it due to the holidays. By middle of January I was beginning to get concerned. I emailed Scott and this time I received a reply from Archie. I learned that not only were my skins not finished, they had not been started yet.

3 weeks later, I still had not received my skins. I called Copycat and again spoke to Archie on Tues. Feb 8th. I was told they would be ready by the end of the week. On Mon Feb. 14th I called again. This time the phone # was disconnected and I could not reach anyone. This worried me to say the least. I emailed Archie as well as the general sales email address found on their website. I received a reply the next day from Jamie. This email contained photos of my new vinyl. I was told that my order was ready to ship and that he would get the tracking number to me as soon as they did ship.

On Friday of that week (2/18/11) I still had not received a tracking number and called again. This time I spoke to Archie again and was told that they still needed to add the snaps (3 on the back of the “pocket”) and they would then be ready to ship Monday at the latest.

Monday came and went, no contact. On Tuesday I called again. Still waiting on snaps. I called again Wed, 2-23-11 and still waiting on snaps (3 freaking snaps!) At this point I told them I needed the skins shipped that week, with or without the snaps. Archie again promised they would get them shipped ASAP. On Thursday (2/24/11) Archie called and said the snaps were on and that he needed to verify my shipping address so he could send the skins. (Happy!) He was to call me back later that day with tracking info. No call later that day, but he did contact me Friday morning 2-25-11 confirming that they had shipped.

On Tues. March 1st, I received my new seat skins via USPS. 8 weeks late and 13 weeks from when I shipped the originals.

I must add that they monogrammed the Nautique “N” logo onto the rear backrest. This was a $100 option I had not selected and was not charged for. I had originally asked for pricing on adding a “Correct Craft” logo but decided against it.

Overall, the skins were way behind schedule on the promised delivery date. I could accept this better if I was not told on 2/8/11 that they were ready to ship, only to have them actually shipped 3 weeks later on 2/24/11. Contact with the company was also iffy. Email went unanswered for the most part. Phone calls were answered promptly with the exception of the day it was not in service. They were not as good about returning calls with the information requested if they did not have it on hand.

Product Quality Rating: 8/10

After receiving the seat skins, I took them out of the box and examined them. Initial impression was good. The vinyl was good quality and the colors were good. The seams were straight, and the stitching looked good.

They left extra material at the edges of each piece, this helped greatly in stretching the skins during install. Fitment was very good. I did not have any issues with fitment during installation. The seams lined up well with the edges of my seat bases and the material stretched into position well and overall looks very good.

Minor issues I have with the quality were that some of the stitching started to unravel at the edges as I stretched the skins into position, this only happened in areas I had to trim anyway but a stop stitch of some sort would have been nice. There was also one place on the Captains seat cushion at the rear that looked unfinished. After being installed, the vinyl should wrap around to the bottom of the seat frame, at this area the vinyl had no welt or stitching (aprox 2 inches) on either side. I believe it should have been folded over and stitched. I fixed this with a small amount of spray adhesive.

Overall I am very happy with the product quality. The fitment was very good and this helped make the installation look as good as possible, especially since I had no previous experience working with upholstery.

Overall Impression Rating: 7/10

I was very disappointed in the time it took to receive my seat skins. I got an impression of disorganization from them when I called. Seemed like they could stand to hire an office manager or a receptionist to handle customer calls. Someone besides the salesman. But overall the quality and price helps to ease that pain. The quality is on par with any of the local shops I contacted (better than some) at about half the price.

If I had not started this project when I did, I might have a different opinion. But as it stands, I will not miss any boating time so I can be a little more lenient than I would be otherwise.

My advice to anyone that chooses to use Copycat, start early. Do this project at the beginning of your layup season. Since you have to send them your originals, your boat will be down until you get the new skins. Call them often, make sure your job is a priority .This is a “squeeky wheel” case, don’t let them forget about your order.

Would I use them again? Probably. Like I said, the price difference is significant. I would not wait as long to call and check on the status though.

[oldjeep]

Has any one ever used www.copycatupholstery.com?

Might want to read this thread. Their name comes up every once in a while and it seems to be pretty hit or miss. One thing they always seem to be good at is finding threads about them and posting as if they don't work for the company. They also seem to operate under the name twin skins upholstery. FWIW - C&E Upholstery which is mentioned in the thread is where my father inlaw had his spotter seat redone - they do excellent work and are recommended by the local MC and Malibu Dealers.

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=36196

Edited January 6, 2015 by oldjeep

[ibelonginprison]

Has anyone gotten pricing from Chris yet? Just curious.
I'm not in the market right this second, but next year I'll be doing some work.

I'd hate to waste his time on a custom quote since I'm not ready to pull the trigger just yet.

[tn_rider]

Viper customs in Tennessee do amazing work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[boardjnky4]

Viper customs in Tennessee do amazing work

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1 buddy of mine had them redo a mastercraft interior with all of the new mastercraft vinyl and patterns and it looked DOPE. He pulled the interior out, mailed it to them, they replicate it and send it back. I think he spent around 2k.

[Mtn308]

Has anyone gotten pricing from Chris yet? Just curious.

I'm not in the market right this second, but next year I'll be doing some work.

I'd hate to waste his time on a custom quote since I'm not ready to pull the trigger just yet.

I did today and for my 23 lsv $3000. It's a little more than what Chee had quoted me but he doesn't require payment upfront. Super impressed with how upfront he has been and the fact he actually returns your calls or requests (imagine that) . So now between the $2200 I paid Chee (and won't be seeing back anytime soon thanks to PayPal and their 45 day policy) and the $3000 for some "actual" skins, I am hoping to be REALLY impressed with my new interior.

[cherry ride]

I did today and for my 23 lsv $3000. It's a little more than what Chee had quoted me but he doesn't require payment upfront. Super impressed with how upfront he has been and the fact he actually returns your calls or requests (imagine that) . So now between the $2200 I paid Chee (and won't be seeing back anytime soon thanks to PayPal and their 45 day policy) and the $3000 for some "actual" skins, I am hoping to be REALLY impressed with my new interior.

I spoke with Chris also. Super nice guy. He mentioned he had a couple boats to do in January. (Outside his full time job) One of them was an LSV so must have been yours. Apperently I'm next after you. He's redoing about 80% of my VLX interior. I can't wait. After the whole Chee thing I can't wait to get this done before the season starts. I bought a sweet staple gun and stainless steel staples from Salco Inc. and I've read several threads about reskinning so I'm ready!

[Diehardslalomguy]

If there is any update on Chee I would be interested. I emailed him and asked for a quote in September. He emailed me right back and said $240 for the two front seat bottoms that I need. I sent the check to the address he provided and he cashed my check immediately when he received it late September. I have emailed him every three or four weeks & never got one response. Never saw my skins... Did something happen to him or is he a crook?

[hunter77ah]

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/52908-chee/?hl=chee

[Michigan boarder]

I did today and for my 23 lsv $3000. It's a little more than what Chee had quoted me but he doesn't require payment upfront. Super impressed with how upfront he has been and the fact he actually returns your calls or requests (imagine that) . So now between the $2200 I paid Chee (and won't be seeing back anytime soon thanks to PayPal and their 45 day policy) and the $3000 for some "actual" skins, I am hoping to be REALLY impressed with my new interior.

I think that is a very good price for a 23LSV. Sounds like Chris is the new guy. So he has the patterns for the boats?

Edit: never mind on the patterns, Ronnie's first post says he has them.

Edited January 7, 2015 by Michigan boarder

[cherry ride]

If there is any update on Chee I would be interested. I emailed him and asked for a quote in September. He emailed me right back and said $240 for the two front seat bottoms that I need. I sent the check to the address he provided and he cashed my check immediately when he received it late September. I have emailed him every three or four weeks & never got one response. Never saw my skins... Did something happen to him or is he a crook?

I added you to the list. There are now 10 confirmed crew members out a total of $12,275. Not including dealers and other unknowns. Still no word from Chee. I called the Merced county DA to follow up on the investigation and am still waiting.

[WakeGirl]

If there is any update on Chee I would be interested. I emailed him and asked for a quote in September. He emailed me right back and said $240 for the two front seat bottoms that I need. I sent the check to the address he provided and he cashed my check immediately when he received it late September. I have emailed him every three or four weeks & never got one response. Never saw my skins... Did something happen to him or is he a crook?

I added you to the list. There are now 10 confirmed crew members out a total of $12,275. Not including dealers and other unknowns. Still no word from Chee. I called the Merced county DA to follow up on the investigation and am still waiting.

This is the second & last time that I'm going to say this: DO NOT MAKE INQUIRIES ABOUT CHEE IN THIS THREAD. Use one of the many other threads for that, this thread is for alternative sources for interior work. From here on out, I'm going to delete, without warning, any requests for or posts in this thread regarding updates about Chee.

Am I making myself clear?

[ibelonginprison]

I did today and for my 23 lsv $3000. It's a little more than what Chee had quoted me but he doesn't require payment upfront. Super impressed with how upfront he has been and the fact he actually returns your calls or requests (imagine that) . So now between the $2200 I paid Chee (and won't be seeing back anytime soon thanks to PayPal and their 45 day policy) and the $3000 for some "actual" skins, I am hoping to be REALLY impressed with my new interior.

Maybe he'll give a TMC discount. Lol

Thanks for sharing the info. It is a little more than "he who shall not be named for fear of retribution" but I like the fact that he's only 4 hours from me and I don't have to write a check, send it to a black hole and keep my fingers crossed for four months.

Really sorry about your first "purchase" though. If I were close to you I'd offer to help you install the skins at least.

[Bill_AirJunky]

I'm a little surprised so many guys are buying from some shop in Timbuktu. Is it really that big a deal that the guy have the exact OEM patterns? Or can't a reputable shop in just about any town in the country do a re-upholstery job that is pretty close to as nice as the stock Malibu job?

Has anyone bothered to look around at local shops in their own town?

I did (with the bimini) & ended up with what I think is pretty nice... and definitely unique!

Someone needs to do it.