You want a closed cell carpet so that it will dry out quickly with a rot resistant backing...substance that holds it all together. If stored in the sun, then Marine Carpets have sun blockers that I/O carpet do not/may not have.
In the Fall of '10, I replaced my carpet with indoor/outdoor carpet from Home Depot... At the end of this year, it started to rot and fall apart.
I just ordered real marine grade carpet from my local boating shop. Sure its more expensive, but I really don't like to recarpet my bunks every year. Live and learn I guess. Some might have good luck with it regular carpet, but we boat a lot. We went out 34 consecutive weekends in 2011.
Weird, I used cheap Home Depot carpet on my old boat/trailer and the bunk carpet lasted 8-10 years, until I got rid of the boat. The interior carpet (same stuff) went to hell in a handbag within 2-3 years though..... The bunk carpet was hardly ever exposed to direct sun light, so I'm guessing that's why it lasted so long.
Weird, I used cheap Home Depot carpet on my old boat/trailer and the bunk carpet lasted 8-10 years, until I got rid of the boat. The interior carpet (same stuff) went to hell in a handbag within 2-3 years though..... The bunk carpet was hardly ever exposed to direct sun light, so I'm guessing that's why it lasted so long.
I had the same experience fishrdan. My first re-do on my first boat I used the grey outdoor carpet from Lowes, bunks lasted 5 yrs until I sold the boat but the interior was starting to get flakey.
Just put that same carpet on the bunks of my 14' project trailer. I would not recomend putting it in your boat if you want it to look very nice.
It's very important to check the mounting bolts bewfore you rercarpet. I saw on that was loose and then I found out that most of them needed to be replaced. So I replaced the wood bolts and carpet at the same time. The trailer is an 2006 .I also covered every thing with that new plastic coverings.
More than anything you want something that drains well. Keeping moisture up against the hull is not a good thing. I buy the Marine Bunk Carpet at West Marine. I've never kept a boat around long enough for it to fail though so I can't attest to that.
As for me, I use marine grade bunk carpet for bunks & guide ons. Premium marine grade carpet for floor. For me extra expenses offset by extra yrs of service. My buddy uses a good grade of indoor outdoor & has been very happy.
