Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

[dh2009]

I have been told by some people that using carpet is fine for a boat. Others tell me that carpet doesn't last long & it retains water. One guy suggested I use Interlux non-skid paint. It doesn't hold water and it lasts longer than the carpet. What is your advice?

Thanks!

 

[marquette]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

i've had boats with carpet, vinyl and non skid. i prefer vinyl and non skid to carpet. easier to clean and drys faster. non skid requires the most preparation before installing because the paint doesn't hide any flaws so if the boat doesn't look good before you put it down it won't look good afterwards. vinyl requires the middle amount of prep work. the surface needs to have all voids filled but not super smooth. vinyl is also the hardest to repair if it gets damaged. carpet hides everything and requires the least amount of prep. it can go down right over plywood. that's why manufacturers like it. they can do minimal prep work and get a good looking boat. carpet comes in a variety of readily avaiable colors and weaves from any number of places where marine grade vinyl is usually only available from marine specialty dealers in a limited number of colors. cost wise a good non skid job will be the most expensive. vinyl a close second but much faster to install. carpet will be the cheapest and fastest job.

 

[jkust]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

I have two boats. One is 25 years old (purchased new) with the original very cheap factory carpet and it is still just fine but no shoes have ever been on the carpet...only bare feet. The carpet alway seems to dry quickly when it gets wet. I also have a newer boat with snap out carpet/fiberglass floor. I much prefer having the carpet out of the boat so the kids can make a mess and just rinse it away. If you have kids, the no carpet non-skid option would be my choice. I really hate having to worry about cleaning carpet when you are there to have a good time. The down side is that you don't have padding under your feet but lots of folks put rugs down and never use the snap out carpet.

 

[mike64]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

A lot depends on what you mainly use your boat for. If you do a lot of fishing, non-skid paint would be best-- carpet's going to get pretty nasty from the fish and will be harder to clean. Plus, you're going to get a lot of fishhooks caught in the carpet (this I know from personal experience. Fortunately my lack of fishing skills has saved my carpet from getting too nasty yet )

If you're planning on mainly tubing/skiing with friends and family, carpet is a little comfier on bare feet.

If you do go with carpet make sure it's real boat carpet. I almost went cheap and bought some "marine carpet" from Lowes last year to put in my boat, but the fibers on that stuff is made in loops, like velcro, and will really catch fish hooks. I think that stuff is mainly meant for docks and bunk covering & such.

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

IMHO carpet & water shouldn't go together. Boat manufacturers use it for the reasons Marquette stated: less prep work, cheaper and faster.

I just purchased a Glastron SSV 170, bow area is fiberglass non skid floor, cockpit area is side to side carpeted. I asked the dealer before ordering it if Glastron could ship it without the carpet, and got a NO for an answer. I checked under the carpet, and I now perfectly understand why: it's a non finished fiberglass floor...nasty.

What I intend to do when the carpet is trashed, is to have a fiberglass shop do a non skid floor for me. Yes, I know it's expensive, but it's a lot easier to clean and maintain, and will last a lifetime if properly taken care of.

In your case in specific, I would check the floor condition, and maybe, you can get away just by painting it with the non skid paint you mention.

Just my $0.02

Cheers!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

I have both....

I fiberglassed my deck, painted Durabak, and had snap-in carpet made... So when I fish blood and guts can be simply rinsed out. And when I'm chillin with guests, nice carpet on the feet! Take out and hang dry...

See the link below if you are interested...

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

It's a funny thing that, every single fish & ski boat we looked at either had permanent or snap in carpet installed. Even the big fancy bass boats...yummy..fish guts in carpet!

My wife absolutely refused to buy to a boat with carpet in it, and was against the snap in carpet as the snaps are hard on bare feet. Our lovely new GT205 Glastron has no carpets and no snaps. It was a lucky find.

So obviously my vote is no carpet.


Ian

 

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

Is Durabak much different than other liquid bed liner-type coatings available? I am considering using this over my plywood floor and the top of my gunnels replacing the carpet. I would like to purchase something local instead of paying shipping but it this stuff is absolutely the cats meow then I'll spring for a little extra.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

Duraback is a polyurethane based coating with small pieces of recycled rubber for texture. So in a sense it has some flex and give... Most bedliner coatings seem to be a harder finish. I do know the stuff is very durable. Some ships that use the coating drag 2 ton moorings across the deck surface w/o damage to Durabak.

 

[q5ka]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

I went with nonskid with snap in carpet. I can pull the carpet to dry if needed or cleaning. If you are fishing, pull carpet and leave in back of truck. If playing, leave carpet in. Best of both worlds.

 

[Ram58]

Re: Should I use carpet or non-skid paint?

There are also neoprene sheets called Hydroturf that a lot of waterfowl hunters use in their boats. I have non skid in my boat now, but thinking of going with the Hydroturf. It can be found at hydroturf.com.