using regular indoor/outdoor carpet for decking??

[92 5 oh]

Hello,

I've searched around and found many types of carpet and i saw someone on here used indoor/outdoor carpet on their boat.  i was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience how this holds up.  his boat looks real good (sorry, can't remember who it was).  i haven't found anywhere real close that has marine carpet in stock and i'd like to start on it tomorrow if i can.

thanks!

steve

[skunked_again]

how the carpet holds up will depend on how its taken care of. i have a 14' boat with 5 year old carpet and for the most part its 100% theres a few places its come un-glued but other than that its golden.

now, for the 2nd half of this story, the boats lived its life inside a garage, it is cleaned after its used, when the carpet gets wet, i always put a blower in the boat and get it dry as soon as possible.

[slice]

I heard somewhere, (probably on this forum) that marine carpet is designed without 'loops'. That is, it's just a bunch of straight bristles sticking up. The reason for this is that it will snag far fewer fishing hooks. Cabelas has awesome marine grade grade carpet. Even the low end grade, which i'm putting in my boat right now, is totally awesome. It may be worth waiting and ordering some from them. Just a thought.

here's a link to their carpet section. There are many other online sources as well. this just happens to be my bait monkey's favorite.  

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat21298&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat21276&parentType=category&parentId=cat21276

[cart7t]

Here's a few words of advice from someone who's carpeted a bunch of boats.

The job is fairly time consuming if you want it to come out looking good.

The last thing you want to do is have to tear up the carpet you just put down within the past few years because it wasn't suited for the job and that you were in a hurry to get it done.

As already stated.  Unless you keep the boat indoors when not in use and thoroughly clean it every time you use it the stuff you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes really isn't suited for fishing and boat carpeting.  Fish hooks and that type of carpeting don't see eye to eye.  You'll wind up snagging the stuff, then pulling the hooks free which leads to runners and pretty soon the carpet job looks bad.

Order some real marine carpet, you'll thank yourself.

[IllinoisBasser]

If you have the budget to get quality Marine carpet. You won't regret the decision. If you don't, you still have options. Depending where you live, Lowes and Home Depot sell Marine Carpet. It isn't much more cost wise than that plastic indoor outdoor carpet that may last one season. Especially if you leave the boat outside uncovered. My 14 Ft. jonboat was carpeted for under 60 bucks. When getting my boat ready, cost was a factor. I opted for Marine Carpet from Lowes and it turned out well. My boat is stored indoors, so it does see the minimum of of rain and UV rays. Carpeting the boat is time consuming. Don't forget to use adhesive on the edges and use Quality staples. One late night during the end of the build. I ran out of 1/2 inch staples. It was late at night and after rummaging around my garage, I found 3/8 staples. That part of the build was redone the next day. Best of luck to you. Let us know how it turns out.

Cart- Fishing Washco on Saturday.  Dink will be out there as well in his boat.

[BassChump]

I'm a professional carpet installer. Installed homes, RVs, boats, you name it, I've covered it in fuzz at one time or another.

I agree. Pony up and get boat carpet. Even just the rubber backed cheapy stuff. You'll be much happier, I guarantee you.

The looped indoor-outdoor would probably wear just fine but once you caught a hook or something on it, you'll be sorry. That loop is continuous thru the length of the carpet. It's kind of like when you pull a loose thread off your shirt or jacket. It keeps "unzipping" until the sleeeve falls off. Carpet is the same way. The loops will keep pulling out until the loop reaches the edge of the carpet unless you just cut it off. Even then you're still left with a bare spot with no fuzz in it.

Also, the boat carpet is much easier to install. It's still not easy but easier.

               

[jhoffman]

Check ebay, best price anywhere. I got 25ftX6ft of marine carpet for $250 shipped to the house.

[HPBB]

here is a alittle advice. when you find a carpet that you like. Take a lure with trebel hooks. drop it on to the carpet. If the hooks get stuck in it do not get it, you will be ripping it up evevry time you drop a lure.

BPS and cabela's have ggod carpet. BPS even has a kit that comes with carpet, glue, patterns, and knife

[simplejoe]

I agree with everybody here save up and get marine carpet, I'm own a flooring store and I put outdoor carpet on my boat it looks good for the past 2 years and still looks good but when I drop a lure on the carpet its stuck I gotta get my pliers and pull it out try this with 2 kids on the boat that always drop their fishing lines onto the carpet with hooks it makes a fun day. but other than that the carpet holds up to the wear and tear.  all yea I forgot I keep it outside with cover on it all summer until fall then I put it in my garage for winter

[firefightn15]

Recarpeted my pontoon last summer. Searched everywhere for best price. BPS turned out to have the best deal. 8'x20' was 160.00 shipping included. Granted, it was their lightest stuff, but it went down well. Also, be certain that you use the right glue for your project. Just my 2 cents.

Illiniosbasser mentioned using high grade staples.  I used ss staples on my perimeter.

[IllinoisBasser]

Ditto on the SS staples.

[fishfordollars]

Get the marine carpet everytime. It is far more durable than the indoor/outdoor stuff. JMO.