New Carpet

[Sliver]

Hello, I have a 1982 Lund fiberglass run-about. I'd like to replace the carpeting. It appears to be glued down pretty well and I'm afraid it might be a big mess to try and pull it up. Is there anything I could do to avoid having to take the old stuff up? I plan on replacing it with a basic marine carpet. Thanks for any advice.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Carpet

imho, pull it up, and never replace it. carpet in a boat is like the little thing the wife insists, be around the toilet, that you pee on in the dark at night.

 

[sdunt]

Re: New Carpet

Scraper, putty knife, heat gun and lots of Muscle. You DO NOT want to cover it up, because it will get wet, stay wet and rot out the entire boat.

Those that have survived a boat rebuild don't have any carpet in our boats because it just holds water to make things rot.

There are flooring adhesive remover / softners, but I would write the company to find out what it will do to the fiberglass under the carpet before I would use something like that.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Carpet

My brother-in-law used liquid bedliner in his pickup truck inside the cab. He applied it right on top of the carpet. I know it sounds aweful but it actually turned out pretty sweet! If your carpet is just ugly and flattened out and not ripped or shredded maybe you could try that.

 

[tmh]

Re: New Carpet

Not a big deal. try and rip it up in small sections to get as much of the glue as you can. Then scrape the rest or whatever. you don't have to get every tiny bit of glue up, the new glue and carpet can hide small bits, but not big.

I completely disagree with the "no carpet" folks - there is a reason most pleasure boats have carpet when built - it feels and looks good. Although I do agree that carpet in a boat can cause some long term issues, not having carpet doesn't eliminate the chance of rotting, etc. I used PT plywood for my new floor so i wouldn't have to worry as much about every drop of water held in the carpet. Good marine carpet DOES dry quite redily also.

If I planned on mostly fishing, then I'd skip the carpet due to bait/fish guts, etc. Otherwise, i say seal up the floor real good, then cover with carpet, bedliner or whatever you prefer.

Obviously. the new snap-in carpets found on many newer boats are a great idea, but of course that require the floor be prepared for them - not an easy retrofit I'd expect.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Carpet

tmh, pressure treated wood, still rots when exposed to water, it's treated against wood destroying organisms. a treated fence post that has a depression in the ground, where the dirt settled, and rain water puddles, will rot of at the water level, not below the ground or above where it can dry out. carpet hold water, especially under seats, and other mounts.

 

[tmh]

Re: New Carpet

Tash, I agree it will/can rot, eventually. However, I have seen MANY decks last 20+ years with treated posts into the ground, which is often wet. Rot IS an organism, btw, according to what I've read on this issue.

Miy PT ply (dried it out for months, btw) is covered with a layer of glass and several of resin to seal it from the elements as best I could without going overboard. I did screw in the seats, etc. so i know it's not totally sealed...that's why I used PT wood!

Good marine carpets are designed to dry out. Under seats and the like require ventalation, of course - or don't carpet in those areas. My boat originally had carpet everywhere; in the battery compartment, under all seats, up the sides of the bow 9under bow seats), and in the ski locker. My ski locker was soooo happy when I pulled that nasty wet rug out of it! No, I did not put the new one in those areas, just open, visible and walk-on areas.

I know it's a compromise, but not as big to me as losing the look and comfort of the carpet.