Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

[barato]

one thing badly needing replacement on my "new" '64 Starchief is the cockpit carpet. debating between various carpets and the "deco dot" flooring Cabela's offers.....this will be mostly a fishing boat, so i like the idea of hosing off the blood (i didn't know fish had that much blood IN them til i caught a tuna) & barracuda slime. i also like fact that it comes in beige...easier on bare feet under midafternoon Mexican sun than darker colors. against that is fact that carpet seems more likely to dampen ride shocks and noise. and The Admiral might like carpet more.

anyone have any input, good/bad/indifferent? what did you use? happy with it?

thanks!

 

[paparoof]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

I don't think you'll find anyone here who will tell you to put carpet in a fishing boat. Me either. Blood + carpet = eeeew.....

That Deco Dot stuff at Cabelas looks pretty cool, but I'd be concerned about how sturdy it is. Overtons sells some stuff like that and they want $139 for a 39" x 77" sheet. Cabelas wants $25 for basically the same size, so either that's an incredible price or the stuff is total crap.

Tell you what - do us a favor and order some, install it, fish like mad for a couple weeks then come back and report to us. I'm also looking for the right answer for my boat and would love to have something like this for under $200 for the whole boat.

I think most people here just use porch paint, but these guys are pretty cheap

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

I did decko dot on my Nassau - it was white and I give it 2 thumbs...down...it scuffed through very easily and being one color showed everything

I used Nautolex Shark - cheaper, better, tough and the mottled color shows no dirt! 2 thumbs up!

Bought it from Defender very cheap!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

Nautolex marine vinyl, whatever color you want. I got the shark stuff like starcrafter65 I believe.

I can't say enough about it. I've already left the boat in the sun for days, had it rained on for hours, been stained by bloody fish and people and spilled worms on it a half-dozen times.

I spray it with a hose and scrub it with a brush and it cleans right up.

The ONLY thing I don't like is when you kneel on it it kinda hurts. So I stopped kneeling on it.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

No input on this but, I need the same solution. My carpet is black and I hate it. It's real thin too, I tore a small hole in it with the vacuum cleaner. Cam't wait to get rid of it.

Thanks for asking this question barato.

Nautelex shark, looks pretty good in your boat HA. I think I found my flooring. Thanks guys.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

Thirded on the Nautolex. I used Storm gray

Best price here http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|311409|311410&id=23740

 

[barato]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

wow--glad i asked. thanks gents! guess it will be the Nautolex. just one Q: how's the traction on wet deck in bad seas?

i had the inspiration last night to do it in what i want for fishin, and cut some removable carpet to fit....once it's fitted around the engine box etc, it should stay in place adequately w/o being glued down....for when the Admiral comes along. and this way, i could use about any cheap indoor/outdoor carpet remnant (how much can a hunk 6x7' cost anyway?), not the BOHICA $$$$$$ marine stuff, since it will be mostly living inside the garage.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

Nautolex will cost about $ 25 a yard 72in wide. I Just installed 4 yds in my 16 SS starcraft. Love It. also put it over freshly painted side rails and real happy with it I used dark Blue.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

It's real grippy.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

wow--glad i asked. thanks gents! guess it will be the Nautolex. just one Q: how's the traction on wet deck in bad seas?

The traction is excellent, even when it's soaking wet from rain or spray.

You could always install removable snap-in carpet for when you're just cruising.

 

[barato]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

thanks again. guess that seals it.

yeah, that's what i sorta had in mind on removable carpet, but wasn't gonna bother with snaps....not likely to be takin The Admirable out with me when conditions are not pretty calm, and she prefers her fish pre-BBQd.

 

[DarrinT]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

My wooden floor will need replacing soon in my Islander and the original vinyl was ripped and missing chunks but I wanted to use her this season so I found a temporary solution that looks like I might use permanently its working so well:

Rubber carpet underpad meant for damp basement floors.

Its approx 3/8 inch thick so its cushy on the tootsies, has closed cell s so its ipervious to water logging, has channels on the bottom to let water drain out from under, has texture on the top to grip carpet (or wet feet) ,suppressed the engine noise and hull reverberation a whole heap as I ran it right into the engine bay( likely way better than carpet would, is resistant to mold and mildew, can be hosed down, fishy goo can't penetrate so it won't smell even after someting big was floppin around in her-

and only cost $45 for a 6x9 ready to go sheet at Home Depot!!!!!!!

Only drawback for you folks in hot climates is the black colour and if yer going for pretty on a restore.

My boat has the kiddies hoppin in an out spillin goo and I beat her up campin , diving and bonkin rocks on georgian bay up here in Canada - so I don't need pretty and the heat isn't an issue. Once I replace the floor in a season or two this stuff is going in for sure.

 

[Golden Arrow II]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

Call around to the Starcraft dealers in the area and ask them to call Starcraft directly and get a price on the floor vinyl they should be cheaper than the catalogs. I called around to all the dealers in the area and Augres Marine here in Michigan had the cheapest price they sold to me for just over $19 a running yard (3' x 6') plus shipping and that was cheap to. I looked into the nautolex but when I got prices for that $30+ a yard (3'x3') I started calling dealers and got way better prices on the stock replacement stuff.

 

[mv6767]

Re: Seeking input on cockpit floor coverings

WE use hydro-turf in our duck boats and overall it's the best stuff yet. It doesn't absorb water, easy cleanup, doesn't get hot, weighs next to nothing and provides excellent traction even when wet, along with cushioning effect on the feet and is extremely durable. Here is a link to the b-grade diamond pattern that I use.

http://hydroturf.com/products/Closeouts_and_Specials/Sheets_of_Hydro-Turf


It is easy to apply with Weldwood cement, 3M 90 spray adhesive or you can order it with an adhesive backing already on it for an upcharge.