Bowrider floor covering

[Eric4479]

Looking to replace the ragged and worn out carpet in my 97 Stingray 190RS. Any thoughts (haha) on the best floor covering to use? IMO, the carpet takes a long time to dry and I'm concerned about the moisture on the flooring. I'm pretty sure the 190RS has a plywood floor--although I heard it is top-coated with fiberglass and well sealed. I'll be removing the carpet maybe in the next week or two so will see what is underneath. Need some help deciding what to put down as a replacement.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there is a layer of fiberglass between the carpet and the deck core.

I personally would replace with carpet.

 

[Chris1956]

There are lots of choices of indoor-outdoor carpet. Some have rubber backings which trap moisture against the deck, and some that do not. The carpet w/o rubber backing dries very quickly.

As was said, moisture against the deck should not be an issue.

You can get marine vinyl as well. It is non slip, but will trap moisture as well.

 

[alldodge]

Suggest, clean and rough surface, then paint with epoxy. Then have snap in carpet made, this way it can be removed if needed for drying

 

[JimS123]

Nautolex or Marideck are the ONLY options for a boat floor (deck).

They wear like iron, are easy to clean and are waterproof - water just runs off.

The former is a well respected option for aftermarket use. The latter is OEM for many aluminum boats, including Starcraft. It is also what Stingray uses instead of carpet for their "fishing package option". Yes, my Stingray came from the factory with a beautiful vinyl floor, and it has held up perfectly for 34 years.

 

[garbageguy]

it may depend what you find when you pull up the old carpet, but I like AD's suggestions here

in our boats, I like the one with snap-carpet - although I haven't put it in, in years. our boats get wet (and dirty), so I prefer clean non-slip floors, no carpet

 

[Eric4479]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! If I painted the floor with epoxy paint, is there a special brand or type to use for Marine applications? I've seen posts/articles where people used waterproofing paint from the box stores. That sounded kind of "fishy" to me.

SD/AllDodge/Chris, If I went with carpet, what are some good brands that dry quickly and where is a good place to shop for them?

Jim, Thanks for the recommendation for the vinyl choices. My 190RS has carpet that extends from the flat floor up the sides a bit (maybe 8" or so). How would you recommend installing the vinyl: cut to fit the flat flooring and then cut separately the sides, or cut as one piece? Do the seams need sealing with something?

 

[alldodge]

I would go to a canvas shop and ask them what they would charge for snap in. For snap in, you will want the carpet edges bound so it does fray.

Since I let my dog go in/out when she wants to I have removed my snap in carpet and just use the bare deck

 

[JimS123]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! If I painted the floor with epoxy paint, is there a special brand or type to use for Marine applications? I've seen posts/articles where people used waterproofing paint from the box stores. That sounded kind of "fishy" to me.

SD/AllDodge/Chris, If I went with carpet, what are some good brands that dry quickly and where is a good place to shop for them?

Jim, Thanks for the recommendation for the vinyl choices. My 190RS has carpet that extends from the flat floor up the sides a bit (maybe 8" or so). How would you recommend installing the vinyl: cut to fit the flat flooring and then cut separately the sides, or cut as one piece? Do the seams need sealing with something?

When you rip up the carpet you'll likely have a mess. In order to paint it you may have to scrape, sand and sand some more to make the surface smooth. Otherwise the paint job may look crummy. Epoxy paint is tough, but you'll be walking on it and it will wear. It will need to be redone after some time.

I buy all my floor materials from Cabelas. They sell vinyl and carpeting. All carpet will hold water to some degree.

The vinyl comes in quite wide bolts. Measure the length you need. Lay it down in the center, fold the sides up and cut off the excess at the side bolsters where the carpet ended now. You shouldn't need to have a seam.

 

[Eric4479]

Thank you all for your responses. Sorry this is late but I've been disconnected for a few days.
Jim, did someone edit your post? I think your vendor recommendation was blanked out.

 

[JimS123]

Thank you all for your responses. Sorry this is late but I've been disconnected for a few days.
Jim, did someone edit your post? I think your vendor recommendation was blanked out.

We're not allowed to provide Competitor's names, even though IBoats does not carry that particular brand.

 

[Jerry200LX]

Personally I would just replace the carpet. The floor underneath it is not pretty and it will take a lot of work to make it look presentable. The floor is covered with a layer of fiberglass so water shouldn't be a problem. Use marine grade carpet not indoor outdoor stuff. The carpet that came in your boat new is Syntec.

 

[Eric4479]

Ahh, I figured that's what it was. I could not find too many places that sell it. Prices seem to range from $24.95-$36.95/yard. Sound about right? After reading the various opinions here and looking around I think I'm leaning on the vinyl rather than carpet. Thank you, again, for everyone's insight on this. I'll try to grab some pictures while I'm doing the job and post them. Maybe someone will be interested.

 

[Jerry200LX]

The hot thing on the market these days is woven vinyl flooring. It makes a really nice floor.

 

[Eric4479]

The hot thing on the market these days is woven vinyl flooring. It makes a really nice floor.

I think that is what Jim is referring to as Nautolex. That is what I've been considering.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

My new boat has the snap in woven fiber mats I like the woven parts HATE SNAPS first thing I did was rip a nice scrape in my knee and then broke two snaps off in key areas mind you ive now only put 8 hours on this new boat. The mats live rolled up in the garage and im taking out every snap out when the canvas comes off. My older boat which went through an extensive rebuild has new plywood covered in two coats of marine epoxy every rivet hole was pre drilled and then sealed in epoxy. its covered in Nautolex vinyl. For a fact I would install this in just about anything. Id put as light of color in as possible I went with Shark which is a motled grey it gets hot on 100 degree days dark colors might get to hot. It can be slick with fish blood and sunblock on your feet when wet. Im looking at the faux wood type covering for my new boat but I may do something like Kiwi Grip if I can find a boat with it to lay my scuba diving bare feet on first. As far as epoxy coating your old floor. I would probably not use a paint id use resin hit your floor with coarse sandpaper take out any blisters and put two coats on it. It might be strong enough on its own if it lifts that way.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I asked the same question as you on a few forums. The consensus was Nautolex and that's what I have to do the bow floor. As soon as it stops snowing and temps get to at least 60F for the glue to set well. That might be in June the way this Spring is going. Just my opinion but I would pass on any snap down carpet, water is going to get under it.

 

[ajgraz]

My experience with Nautolex (and some of this has already been said):

• It does get slick
• Water gets trapped under it
• If you drop a knife or a sharp-edged whatever on it, it gets little nicks and cuts, then A LOT of water gets trapped under it

I hate carpet because it also traps water and fish blood, and also catches fishhooks, dog claws, etc.

If you don't have textured fiberglass deck... I say go with epoxy paint with non-skid mixed in. You can make it as grippy as you need, tint any color you want, no seams or funky bends, easy to "install," cleans up easily, and is easily spot-fixed.

(EDIT: all of this advice mostly directed toward fishing vessels)

 

[Eric4479]

... I would probably not use a paint id use resin hit your floor with coarse sandpaper take out any blisters and put two coats on it. It might be strong enough on its own if it lifts that way.

Is resin just applied with a brush? Is there a special marine grade to use or could I go to an auto parts store? Here's a photo of the floor of my '97 Stingray 190RS. As someone else said before, and as I found out once ripping up the carpet, the floor is a plywood covered in fiberglass. Seems to mostly be in good shape.

I've never done a restore or any kind of blog, but I think I'll open another post for the restoration part. I also found a rotted bow seat back that I'll probably have to replace. Should get interesting...

 

[Eric4479]

Also, another question: JimS123, I got my boat from storage today and measured the width. At the widest point near the engine, the flat part of the floor is 74" wide and then continues up the sides for another 15" or so on each side. Near the console, the floor is only 57" wide but the sides are carpeted up 25" on each side making a single width product needing to be 107" wide. The Nautolex that I've seen so far is only 72" wide.