Carpet for my boat

[TheWoodCrafter]

I have searched the internet to buy carpet for my boat restoration.
Fiberglass hull with no floor, just the hull. Will be glued in.
I find marine grade and I find marine grade with rubber backing.
Will carpet with rubber backing hold moisture under it?
Will either last longer or is more appropriate than the other for below deck?

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Hello and welcome to the forums.

The rubber backed carpet can definately trap moisture behind it, however, if this is going directly against the hull with no wood or metal behind it to rot or corrode, then it shouldn't matter.

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Carpet for my boat

You may also get better results with Rhino lining. The stuff they use on truck beds.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

You may also get better results with Rhino lining. The stuff they use on truck beds.

I thought about Rhino Lining but I want something easy on bare feet. I would think Rhino Lining would be slippery when wet also.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Carpet for my boat

The standard one is, but I've heard people talking about one with sand added for traction. Still you're right, nothing feels as good as carpet on bare feet (except pillows, but that definately wouldn't work out too well in a boat).

BTW, how is there no deck in the boat? I've never seen a flat bottom fiberglass boat before.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

I have a deck just no floor.
Heres a link to some of the work.

http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg307/TheWoodCrafter/

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Carpet for my boat

that looks extremely dangerous, like an accident fixing to happen. i think of nothing else i would throw a piece of plywood in there to level the deck and glue a finish floor to the ply.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Is that a tunnel hull? Is there any flotation in the hull? If that is not a tunnel hull I would imagine that center hump might be filled with foam???

Marine carpet is fine and really dries out okay..... you just have to have it properly glued in.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

The boat is a 1966 PowerCat 15T Tri-hull.
And I believe the center is filled with flotation foam.
I thought about adding a floor but the boat was not manufactured that way.
All the Powercats were built this way.
It sits pretty low in the water and only has a 15" transom.
I don't want to add an more weight and didn't want to raise the center of gravity.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Carpet for my boat

I picked some scrap pieces of artificial turf (corners and angles) that were left over from when they re-turfed and entire outdoor football stadium, I don't exactly know what this stuff is called but it is some really nice stuff for boats or backyard patios, it's got rubber backing perforated with drainage holes, it's green like grass, and white for the end zones and such. I can't say enough about this turf, it's made for outside has drainage and is tough enough to play football on. You mignt try check around your local football stadium and talk to some maintainence people there may be some scraps you can get.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Have you checked the flotation for water intrusion? ie.... is it waterlogged?

I just think being this far into the project you might want to do some test bore holes from the top. Tashadaddy uses a piece of pvc to bore into the foam and remove a piece. It is worth the checking.......

I agree on your carpet and keeping the center of gravity low.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Bob,
Someone else suggested that but I have not done it yet.
I think your right, I should ckeck it.
Everything else seems dry as a bone but a few holes will not hurt.

So I guess I will go with the rubber backed carpet plan.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Carpet for my boat

After you drill the holes and inspect.... you can make fiberglass patches to cover them back up (or marine tex).

Based on the cracks and the age I would not be surprised if there was wet foam. Lose the water and your boat will lose weight which makes it handle better and go faster too.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Carpet for my boat

totally agree, use a hole saw and save piece to make the patch plug. i use 3m 5200 to reassemble the patch.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Woodcrafter, You can use any indoor/outdoor carpet in the boat. The Home Despot and other have quite a nice selection of carpet used for decks, patios etc. Some of it looks like conventional industrial grade carpet, or better, whereas other looks like astroturf. I special ordered some nice teal-colored soft astroturf for my speedboat. It looks real nice, and has been impervious to gas and oil, beer, lotion etc, as well as the sun.

You can also buy from marine stores, but the price will be higher. They have indoor/outdoor carpet adhesive(oil or latex) that is applied with a notched trowel. You may be able to use the latex product, if it is listed as waterproof.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Lowe's has marine carpet in several colors at a very reasonable price. I re-did mine in 04 and it seems to be holding up really well.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Lowe's has marine carpet in several colors at a very reasonable price. I re-did mine in 04 and it seems to be holding up really well.

I never thought to look at Lowes.
Thanks.

 

[DJ]

Re: Carpet for my boat

If it were me, I would stay away from rubber backed. It is hard to work with and mold and it DOES hold water.

As mentioned, the home mprovement stores carry a good line of outdoor carpets. I've always used the flat nap type in whatever color you like.

Again, my forst choice would be to paint the interior with a non-skid component added to the paint. That makes clean ups a breeze. Oil and gas will stain carpet badly and you CANNOT get it out.

If you do paint the interior, stay away from bright colors like pure white. If you do paint the interior with a bright color, the boat turns into a tanning/burning bed. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Oh come on DJ tell us how you know about tanning/burning bed! LOL.

No, I think carpet is what we want, I little easier of bare feet.
Besides I have enough finishing to do on the outside of the hull.
And maybe no rubber. The carpet is on the bildge and will need to drain and dry.

 

[DJ]

Re: Carpet for my boat

Oh come on DJ tell us how you know about tanning/burning bed! LOL.

No, I think carpet is what we want, I little easier of bare feet.

Besides I have enough finishing to do on the outside of the hull.
And maybe no rubber. The carpet is on the bildge and will need to drain and dry.​

Alright. I had just moved to Arizona (Valley On the Sun) with a new Bay Boat (white interior). On my first outing, I lathered up the usual areas (nose, forehead, arms, etc.) with sun block.

At the end of the day, the underside of my chin and the backs of my legs were thoroughly roasted. I forgot about protecting against reflected sun. OUCH!:redface:​