Carpeting recommendations?

[dzurinko]

I'm refurbishing a 1987 Mirrorcraft Northport Troller (Tinny). I completely stripped it and I'm down to aluminum. Putting a new Marine Grade transom in it this coming week. Its clamped up and drying. Starting to think about decking and carpeting. The deck will be marine grade plywood, coated with epoxy resin and covered with carpet. The original carpet was a plastic type with rubber backing. I'm inclined to put the same type back. But I've read where some others say rubber backing retains water and not to use it; use open weave back so it breathes. Maybe I'm confused, but water doesn't pass through rubber especially if its down with outdoor carpet adhesive. I can't understand how water gets through it to wet the plywood??? The floor I am replacing was dry rotted in the forward section and wet and rotted I the aft section. I attribute this wet rotton area to 26 year old original carpet and a PO that left the boat unused and uncovered in the weather for 2 1/2 years. Any recommendations for carpeting over marine plywood???

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Carpeting recommendations?

Troller as in fishing boat?

Carpet doesn't belong in a fishing boat... or any boat. Carpet does absorb and retain water promoting rot at worst and mildew at least.

A deck finish that sheds water is the most desireable, like paint on products or marine vinyl. These products will help you get the water off of your deck much faster and make for a much dryer and longer lasting boat.