new carpet

[Bertramp]

Over the winter (booo, hisss) ... I want to replace my salon carpet. What type of carpet holds up best in the marine environment (ie ... resists mold, stain resistant, etc)
thanks

 

[Paul45c]

I think your best bet is a fairly thick-pile nylon derivative of reasonably dark color. They're the most stain-resistant, the color will help camouflage any stains that DO crop up, and honestly a richer color is a little more restful on the eyes at day's end and you've got that cocktail in your hand. The thick-pile carpets will damp up some of the higher-frequency noises, like turbo whine.

 

[Genesis]

When Gigabite needed carpet in the salon (which was like the day I bought it) I went to a local warehouse and bought a remnant of commercial short-pile nylon in a moderate gray color.

Took the old piece out of the salon, brought it home, and used it as a pattern to cut the new.

Took the new back, fit and trimmed it to exact size, then got out the torch and sealed the edges (just VERY lightly - you dont' want to catch it on fire!) on the dock, then put it back in.

It was getting to where it needed to be done again when Gigabite was sold - I replaced the pad under it at the same time with high-quality closed-cell, which was fine.

Paid about $100 for both - simple, easy, and inexpensive.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

YUP-- every couple of years I replace it. Its easier that getting it cleaned; and it smells soo good! ws

 

[Genesis]

BTW in most cases boat carpet DOES NOT need tack strips. It sits just fine all on its own and it won't move. There are enough corners and other places where it "locks" in place to keep it securely in place. I pulled ALL the tack strips in the salon on Gigabite and never regretted doing it.

Also, if you need access to hatches underneath (like on a sportfish) its a LOT easier to just roll it up than deal with the tack strips which inevitably end up in your knee or hand!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

When I bought my boat it had a sculptured patterned carpet. Really low pile looped stuff that has held up great. It is not as soft as your traditional cut pile carpet, but it is much more durable.

 

[captddis]

The tack strips are the first to go. I have had my butt tattoed by too many tack strips.

 

[Boss Lady]

If you need to secure the carpet, you might try using velcro. You can glue it to the back of the carpet pretty easily and it will hold it down until you need to pull it up. Not dangerous like tacks.

 

[Freebird]

Good idea Chris. I'm thinking about going with velcro panels for the headliner as well after seeing that on a couple of boats at FLIBS.

I too am planning to re-carpet FREEBIRD after all the engine work is done. I figured it would be a waste of time prior to that. The previous carpet was held with tack strips, and I agree they are a pain in the butt. I was thinking more along the lines of having the edges sewn for easy removal as I plan to use one piece in the salon as opposed to cut-outs for the hatches. I can do all routine service work by accessing the engine room through the galley. There are numerous access panels throughout the boat that I plan to cover as well using the same technique.

I have to disagree with Paul's choice of dark carpet though. This is purely a subjective thing, but lighter carpet sure does open things up on a boat. Sure, it will show stains, but everything is a trade off in that department. My plan is to install plush thick carpet throughout the boat in the lower salon on down, and bamboo in the upper salon/pilothouse area.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I really like the way Hatteras put the strips down too. STEEL nails into the fiberglass. That brain fart ranks right up there with Fuller Brush port lites.
Cut the new rug to fit, make a junk knife hot with a propane torch and seal the edges. Dont use padding--it disintegrates, and makes it harder to shuffle those Topsiders in a seaway. I'm gonna go with a hardwood sole and oriental area rugs for that "Continental look". Makes for easy hatch lifting too. ws

 

[Maynard Rupp]

You can easily have the carpet bound to eliminate fraying. Hold it down with velcro and take it up whenever you want. Tack strips are the worst as they rust quickly and when they put a hole in your sensative bottom, you need to see a doctor.

 

[Starman]

I have seen a "boat carpet guy" use the double sided tape that uses the heat pad to adhere it to sufaces where it does not need to come up, except to change the carpet.

I am partial to Teak & Holly flooring with a satin finish

I worked on a boat about 11 years back and the man had 2 layers of lead filled foam ( sound foam ) put down as padding, and then put a light colored Berger ( sp ) carpet over that.

 

[Genesis]

Cheap padding (the multicolored crap held together with scrims on both sides) disintegrates.

Closed-cell foam has no scrim and does not disintegrate. Its a bit more expensive, but (1) you only buy it once and (2) it has some sound-deadening qualities.

Soundown is even better on the sound side but its god-awful expensive and HEAVY due to the lead layer.

 

[34Hatt]

Hold it down with velcro and take it up whenever you want. Tack strips are the worst as they rust quickly and when they put a hole in your sensative bottom, you need to see a doctor.

This is how I did mine. I did it around the center hatch on both sides and it works Fantastic. You do need to add glue to the carpet side first and I bought the new carpet that has a white fabric on the back. The say it is for stretch but it also stops fraying. I cut out my hatch added the Velcro and that was it 3 years now still no fraying.
I also used the velco for ceiling panels and that has worked out, but had a learning curve for that one

 

[67hat34c]

I did what Genesis did, bought tight pile commercial carpet. cut to fit and had it bound.

 

[Paul45c]

I have to disagree with Paul's choice of dark carpet though. This is purely a subjective thing, but lighter carpet sure does open things up on a boat. Sure, it will show stains, but everything is a trade off in that department.

You're banished from the SandBar! Like the famous old t-shirt says, "Heaven doesn't want me and Hell's afraid I'll take over." Where you gonna play now?

 

[Bertramp]

thanks for the carpet advice (that is where this started) .... I found some folks in Babylon, NY that do all of the work for the local Searay dealer, so boat carpet is a big part of their business. I actually had one place tell me that because it is a measurement on a boat, it's an extra $750.
Needles to say, I was outta there.

 

[Freebird]

You're banished from the SandBar! Like the famous old t-shirt says, "Heaven doesn't want me and Hell's afraid I'll take over." Where you gonna play now?

Wait a minute, I'm gettin' a bad case of day ja voo!!! Let's not let history repeat itself. Man, I'm glad I didn't waste my breath on another big response to something that disappeared and didn't make any sense.

Let me correct you on that t-shirt quote as it pertains to me. "The tech forum doesn't want me, and Doug's afraid I'll take over."

Too late!!!

Oh yeah, stick with the lighter colored carpet, it will make your boat look bigger. First thing taught in Inferior Decorating 101, dark carpet is a no no in small areas because it makes it seem smaller.

I'll definitely install a light beige carpet in Freebird after the engine work is done. Then I can lay down some carpet runners for the high traffic areas, or use Sunbrella like I see on so many new boats.

 

[doc g]

I found this at Homeless Depot called Legato . It is a self adhesive carpet tile that supposedly doesn't fray where it is cut. It does not have a real adhesive on the back ,only tacky stuff that keeps it in place. You can remove a piece and replace it for any oooopppses . It has a thin layer of a backing/padding that is supposed to create a vapor barrier also. I may try it in my 9 year olds stateroom.......................Pat

 

[Trojan]

Well the Admiral just said she wanted wood floors with a throw rug. We have an expensive thick pile beige carpet with a thick close cell foam underneath. The foam is glued down and the carpet just lays there. I removed all the tack strips. Its nice and soft to walk on and sleep on. But a PITA to move the furniture around. I put the large nylon coasters on the furniture feet. That helped a lot. You have to put down plastic every time you work on the engine. I like it and it looks great. But she saw the wood pictures posted here. I wonder how much louder the engine noise will get if I install wood flooring?



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