Boat floor and carpet replacement help

[bishop1976]

I've got an old Monarch 18 ft flat bottom that needs new floors and decks. Just wondering what materials you guys use to replace the floor and then to recarpet/cover the floor. Would you go with carpet or some sort of rhino guard coating? Where is the best place to get boat carpet?

 

[danond]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

You should search through the forums and look for posts related to floor/deck replacement. There's a ton of info and threads that will answer questions you aren't even aware you're supposed to ask yet

 

[92excel]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

agreed.
reading is step one, step 2 is read more!

read every word on all of the completed project thread.. dont just look at the pictures..

good luck.

 

[S. Toth]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

the basic materials you'll need are marine grade plywood, fiberglass sheets and resin, how are the stringers?

 

[bishop1976]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

The boat is aluminum so there are no stringers or anything. Thank goodness no fiberglass.

 

[92excel]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

the basic materials you'll need are marine grade plywood, fiberglass sheets and resin, how are the stringers?

whether you need marine ply is an opinion...

 

[bishop1976]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

I finished measuring and cutting the upper deck today. I decided to go with pressure treated 1/2 inch plywood. It has to be better than the 1/2 inch untreated that rotted away in the first place.

I'd like advice on the following:

The trolling motor battery is currently set up to sit in the front live well. I'd like to put in a compartment in the upper deck to house the battery. I have a friend that does metal work and could probably fabricate some sort of box and lid that would be less watertight than I would like. Are there any pre-fab "set in" type enclosures that I could get for this purpose? There is foam support under the deck so I could just cut the foam to fit. It would be nice to be able to use the live well.

The second question has to do with the lower floor in the boat. It is almost completely gone. I plan on starting the removal tommorrow. I would guess that I wont be able to find any drawings for the original design. My question is how do I allow for water drainage to from the wood floor to the aluminum bottom of the boat. I could use one solid piece of carpeted floor and put in some sort of drains or cut the plywood in two sections and leave a gap down the center for drainage. I think this would only leave a gap for crap to get into and stop up the drain channel.

The last thing I'm not sure on is what carpet and glue to use or really how to install it. I'm planning on cutting the carpet to fit leaving a three to four inch overhang. Then I would glue, stretch, and staple underneath.

I know I'm asking alot (even probably for some flaming) but I'd really appreciate the advice of all of you seasoned boat guys!

Thank you in advance and I will post pictures soon!

 

[73taylor]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

ive been thinking about puting a rhino coating on my floor becouse not only is it easy to clean but it also looks good and makes it stronger and you get it in alot of colors

 

[bishop1976]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

So I checked my cuts and I guess the original had shrunk from rotting and drying out. I'm about a half inch inside on the port side. I think I'll recut. And chances of getting dimensions from the manufacturer? I measured it but none of it is square. The curved sides are causing me fits. How do you guys do it?

 

[mars bar]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

I used cardboard for a template. Just keep cutting till you get your fit, but remember to leave an 1/8" for carpet over lap. I used mildew resistant carpet from Home Depot in grey and they sold me an interior exterior glue for it.

 

[bishop1976]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

Thanks MArs. Thats a good idea. I want it as tight as I can get it.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Boat floor and carpet replacement help

I used cardboard for a template. Just keep cutting till you get your fit, but remember to leave an 1/8" for carpet over lap. I used mildew resistant carpet from Home Depot in grey and they sold me an interior exterior glue for it.

Agreed. Cardboard is the way to go. Cut it oversized and trim to fit the lines of the hull. If you over trim, simply tape a piece of scrap carboard to that section and trim it. I laid a full sheet of ply on saw horses, clamped the cut cardboard template to the ply, and then drew my lines on the ply. I clamped the cardboard so it wouldn't shift when my back was turned. Before you cut the ply, take a close look at the lines you drew. If any look odd, go back and check that part with the actual hull. Take your time.. Measure, measure, measure and cut once.

I also bought carpet glue from home depot. Max Perforamce 3300. Good stuff. Read the label carfully. Pay attention to temp, clamping, weighing down the fabric etc. The 3300 said temp min of 65 degrees. I was impatient and glued at a temp a little lower than 65. Took 3 days for all of the glue to cure. If you decide to wrap the carpet and stapel to the underside of the ply, try to keep your hands clean while you are doing this. I didn't pay attention and got some glue on the "good" side of the carpet and didn't realize it until it was time to put it in the boat. Had fun cleaning that off. Like I said, good stuff.

If you have to piece any carpet together, make sure the grain is all headed in the same direction. This will give a better finished look and the pieces won't be so noticeable.

Again, read these forums, over and over and over. Makes a huge difference in how your project turns out. Good Luck...