carpet vs slides

[muskyfins]

So it's about time to redo my bunks with new carpet. What is the consensus on plastic slides vs carpet? Will it scratch the hull? Will plastic provide enought cushioning? I am in industrial plastic fabrication and can make my own full width bunk slides (which I know other places sell) for free. I'm concerned there is some underlying reason I don't see more of them or why they don't come from the factory this way. Let the debate begin!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: carpet vs slides

because HDPE or UHMW costs more than cheap carpet, and takes more than a pneumatic staple gun to install. Simple economics - carpet is "good enough" and comes in multiple colors to fit the OEM color scheme.

plastic strips cost more, comes in few colors unless you do a mill run, and takes more labor to install.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: carpet vs slides

because HDPE or UHMW costs more than cheap carpet, and takes more than a pneumatic staple gun to install. Simple economics - carpet is "good enough" and comes in multiple colors to fit the OEM color scheme.

plastic strips cost more, comes in few colors unless you do a mill run, and takes more labor to install.

Slicks don't take longer to install vs carpet.Cordless drill and driver bit.. Tired of replacing carpet because the sun rots it away. Sure it cost more but when you figure in how much a couple of applications and time to replace carpet. it's a no brainier.Makes launching and retrieving easier also.

 

[muskyfins]

Re: carpet vs slides

I like the spirited discussion.

Cost is a non issue for me because material is free. We probably thow away 10,000 pounds of it per year. Anyway, I've seen what it sells for on ebay etc and their nuckin futz. I could beat most of those prices by 40-60%, but our company isn't set up for small orders, so someone would have to buy 2-3 dozen at a crack and re-sell them. But again, they could make 20% and still be 20% cheaper.

Labor is super easy too. ^^^^cordless drill^^^^. I'd even bet can be done faster than carpet.

What about quality diff? Will solid bunk with no cushion damage my hull. For the average 16-24 foot family boat of various flavors? I see a lot of guys instal the glides over the carpet.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: carpet vs slides

having been in manufacturing and engineering my whole career. there isnt a trailer company out there that will use plastic and screws to cover the bunks when a strip of carpet, pneumatic staple gun, utility knife and 45 seconds has it done with carpeting.

If it was my trailer, I would spring for UHMW. I would not buy pre-made bunk slides, I would get bars sheared to size at my local supplier

 

[H20Rat]

Re: carpet vs slides

slides are not recommended for any hulls with paint. They are going to be abrasive on the hull, and MOST gelcoats will probably be fine with it. You certainly stand a chance of having some wear marks show up though.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: carpet vs slides

I`ve got both. I spaced the plastic runners at intervals on top of my already carpeted bunks. Seems to work fine. Kind of get the best of both.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: carpet vs slides

having been in manufacturing and engineering my whole career. there isnt a trailer company out there that will use plastic and screws to cover the bunks when a strip of carpet, pneumatic staple gun, utility knife and 45 seconds has it done with carpeting.

If it was my trailer, I would spring for UHMW. I would not buy pre-made bunk slides, I would get bars sheared to size at my local supplier

45 seconds?? Like to see someone re carpet a bunk in that time.Maybe in a facility that is doing this on a production basis when the carpet is already cut and trimmed to fit and the bunks are not attached to brks already

 

[raymond47]

Re: carpet vs slides

having been in manufacturing and engineering my whole career. there isnt a trailer company out there that will use plastic and screws to cover the bunks when a strip of carpet, pneumatic staple gun, utility knife and 45 seconds has it done with carpeting.

If it was my trailer, I would spring for UHMW. I would not buy pre-made bunk slides, I would get bars sheared to size at my local supplier

I have a 18 foot pontoon, the trailer has has 4 bunks 2x4 18' long with carpet, if the runners were used what thickness would it need to be, and would they be 2'4 by 18' to cover the wood already there? guess the holes would be countersunk for the bolts?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: carpet vs slides

the teflon slicks work like magic. We put them on top of the existing carpet, a series of 8-10" pieces with an equal amount in between. It doesn't have to be solid.

I don't know how ours were mounted (club boat) but probably with glue. Screws don't sound like a good idea to me. Glued ones aren't going anywhere.

Won't hurt the hull one bit. In fact, trapped sand/gravel/grit in carpet may be worse,. Anyway, who cares but the fish? If some pencil neck makes comments about your scratches, tell him they are racing foils that increase speed and help grips on the turn. Then throw him overboard.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: carpet vs slides

I have a 18 foot pontoon, the trailer has has 4 bunks 2x4 18' long with carpet, if the runners were used what thickness would it need to be, and would they be 2'4 by 18' to cover the wood already there? guess the holes would be countersunk for the bolts?

Go to this site ( where i bought mine) http://www.surfixinc.com/ and you can read about what your asking

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: carpet vs slides

Only think i would think about the smaller strips would be pressure points - but then again - its the bottom of the boat, its strong.

 

[raymond47]

Re: carpet vs slides

Thanks Thalasso I may do that I may do that!

 

[muskyfins]

Re: carpet vs slides

I'm in plastic so I apologize for being picky ,but the glides aren't teflon. Teflon has bad mechanical properties and wouldn't work well. They are made from HDPE which I have lots of experience with and wouldn't think it would be glued down. Maybe some kind of construction adhesive, but I would either counter bore (not counter sink) fasteners from the top or drill and tap blind holes from the bottom.

Since it won't cost me anything but my time, I might try it out some time and report my findings here. But if the weather's nice I'll be on the boat and if the weather is bad, I've got a long honey do list, and we're right around the corner from hunting season.....

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: carpet vs slides

i work with HDPE also, and I cant think of anything that would work well as a glue... About the only thing it sticks to is itself when its hot enough to be putty like. We sent samples of our product to attempt a paint application and they couldnt make anything work well there either.

The only option i see would be a solvent based glue like used in model cars but again that only works to bond it to like material.

 

[muskyfins]

Re: carpet vs slides

i work with HDPE also, and I cant think of anything that would work well as a glue... About the only thing it sticks to is itself when its hot enough to be putty like. We sent samples of our product to attempt a paint application and they couldnt make anything work well there either.

The only option i see would be a solvent based glue like used in model cars but again that only works to bond it to like material.

We're getting a little off topic, but if you pour model airplane glue on HDPE and let it sit for a few days to cure, it will peel right off. We use it as a table top surface when gluing other types of plastic because of this.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: carpet vs slides

nothing sticks to HDPE or UHMW. HDPE is what starboard is. that is why the FDA approves HDPE and UHMW for use in contacting food. it must be mechanically bonded - IE countersunk screws.

and yes, watching a new trailer go together with the carpet being attached with a pneumatic stapler is less than 2 minutes for two bunks. its all the guy does all day long.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: carpet vs slides

I don't know if ours are really teflon and I doubt they are. It's just what non-plastic guys call "slippery plastic."

 

[bonz_d]

Re: carpet vs slides

I work in the food industry and we use the stuff all over the place. We also have a plastic welder and at times that doesn't hold well either. Another thing that when it is used were something is sliding against it it does wear out and in some instances quite quickly.