Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

[Primitive Pete]

I am carpeting a Jon Boat. Method is to cut plywood to fit decks, floor and sides, coat both sides and ends with 3 coats poly, carpet panel and install in boat. Someone suggested to pad the decks and floor, otherwise the carpeting will wear out fast. If so, what padding would work? Need to glue padding to plywood and glue carpeting to padding. Need glue that will not eat the padding. Any suggestions?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

I'd advise you to get some Nautolex marine vinyl rather than the carpet.

It will last a long time and repel water rather than hold moisture.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

I wouldn't add anything beneath my carpet that could absorb...and retain...moisture. Fungus and mold would probably become rampant!

Happy boating!

 

[saltwaterbluefish]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

Your friend may have not used marine carpet for his installation, thus the reason why it didn't last long. Marine carpet if you buy the good stuff can take a better beating then the low grade stuff you can find at wally world. Of course, i have always had an issue with carpet moisture problems and mold forming matter which one i used, so I switched to vinyl and now just to a fiberglass deck with non-skid. Which brings me to the other option of painting the plywood with non-skid paint. There is a non-skid additive that is composed of rubber flakes which is alot easier on the feet if you are not wearing shoes. Also think about http://seadek.com/ they have a material that can be used in a boat and has padding in it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

in short......no.

the padding you are refering to is called underlay.

any underlay you put in the boat will absorbe water/moisture.....this moisture, when trapped against your new deck, will rot it out very fast. (this includes rubber backed carpet)

a really good marine carpet is very cushy !, and your gal will love it.

i would suggest that you add the cost you were going to spend on carpet AND underlay. then instead of going that route....just upgrade to a better quality marine carpet !

 

[hondarider188]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

Pad is Extremly absorbant and holds water like a sponge and if not properly dried and cleaned mold and mildew will grow fast so in a boat its probably not a good idea.

 

[Primitive Pete]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

Thanks. Was going to carpet with wally world carpet but looking for good medium grade marine carpet now. Cabela's Ultimate 18 oz. Marine Carpet sells 6-ft. wide carpet at $28 per 3-ft. They also sell Cabela's Deluxe Boat Carpet 6 feet wide at $17 per 3 feet. Any thoughts or mabey another source?

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Is it advisable to pad carpeting on a boat?

I bought some through Cabela's a few years ago and just recovered parts of my Lund. The only things I would suggest is use a router to round off any exposed egde of the wood and use a good marine carpet glue. On my Lund the side compartments are a perfect distance from my seats to use as a foot/leg rest. Enough "use" and the sharp corner of the wood tore through the carpet. Also you can get nearly the same carpet at HD or L's.