Carpeting

[D Hanny]

I found a deal on marine carpeting, $4.95 per square yard, at Marine Connection Liquidators, but now I am wary of it.

The guys there sold it as the best type of boat carpet because it didn't have a backing. They said that carpets with backing trap water and cause rot or mildew. I bought it based on their recommendation, so I'm going to use it, but...

In reading threads here, I came across a post by a guy with a boat project that criticized the carpet he had that didn't have a backing, stating that this was why it didn't last for much over five years.

What do you guys think about this stuff?

Best,

Dave

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Carpeting

Hmmmmm. Thats a good one. One would have to assume that a company who has been in the marine bussiness for over 20 years would be knowledgeable about the products that they sell and would have had success selling such products.

That being said, I would have to question the durabilty of marine carpet with no backing. I used to install car audio and in doing so have carpeted my fair share of sub woofer enclosures. The carpeting we used for that had no backing so it could be stretched. If the carpet you bought is the same I would think that if it gets too wet it would fall apart.

However they may use a different type of carpet in the marine type that is more resistant to moisture.

I personally don't understand the argument that the backing will hold water. I would think that the adhesive used to adhere the carpeting would act as a sudo backing anyway. Not to mention if you seal the decking properly the mere fact that the water can't seep through the decking would make any carpet hold moisture.

I guess in the end, even if it does only last 4 to 5 years at 4 dollars and change a square yard what do you have to loose.