Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

[scooper77515]

Before and after pictures attached. We just did the swim platform today, because that requires designing the template from scratch. The rest will be easier...just pull the carpet out and lay it on the hydroturf, and cut it out.

We will also do a couple pieces on the sides where you step onto the boat when entering, and maybe a couple pieces just behind the engine cover. Haven't decided for sure on those post-hatch pieces.

Still need to buy 3 more sheets. May have to wait until we pay the closing costs on new house before I blow that extra cash.

Swim platform took a little less than half a sheet of hydroturf. These are odd shapes, and longer together than the turf is wide, so I had to stagger them on the hydroturf sheet and ended up with a couple long triangular strips that most likely will end up in trash as wasted material.

 

[cpubud]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

looks good. how is it secured to swim platform?

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

3m peel and stick adhesive backed. The only way i would do it. Peel a corner off, line it up, press down corner and start peeling the back off from underneath. Sticks right where you put it.

Same stuff i have used on surfboard decks since the 80s. Stuff lasts an easy 10+ years. Easy to keep clean.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

looks great scooper77515.

since you've got some experience with hydroturf on your boat. out of curiosity, how do you think it would work on the inside of a boat. like to replace my carpet. i want to replace mine sometime in the future but the carpet is lime green. i can't find any lime green carpet. hydroturf comes in just about the right lime green though....

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

The reason I went with hydroturf for this boat is because I had it in my last boat. On engine hatch, floor, step-in areas, and swim platform. That stuff was AWESOME, so as soon as I sold that jet boat and bought this Glastron, carpet was on it's way out and Hydroturf on its way in.

This stuff stays cool in the south texas summer sun, comes clean with a brush and soapy water, and I never had any issues with it peeling up.

Even bubblegum brought in with my nephew's shoe came right up.

I also used it on my jet ski, but cheaped out and bought it without the 3M adhesive. I used contact cement, and the results were less than satisfactory. Glue everywhere. The 3M provides a seamless and clean installation.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Is that the same stuff as the Sea Dek (I think that's the name of it) that I've heard about? Where do you buy that stuff?

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Probably the same thing. Closed-cell foam, high density. They cut it and mill in grooves, etc. Then if you pay a little extra, they apply the 3M to the back (again, HIGHLY recommended to get the 3M, pay the extra $30 or whatever, well worth it.)

I get mine right from Hydroturf. http://www.hydroturf.com/ Go to "Buy it by the sheet", choose your color, pattern of groove, etc. and cut it to fit.

I basically just trace the "sandpaper" patterned floor spots onto a piece of wrapping paper (heavy brown paper, not Christmas wrapping paper, you get this stuff at the paint store by the roll). Take the paper and tape it to the back of the hydroturf and cut with a carpet cutter or utility knife.

Stick it on boat.

I took the boat out today and it held up fine. I had no doubts, since i have used it before with great results . It made putting the wakeboard on MUCH easier, since it wasn't sliding away from me when I put my feet in.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Ayuh,... Looks like pretty neat stuff that I could find Alotta places for,...

Expensive though for a full cockpit job...

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

yes, for full cockpit on 20' boat, looking at close to $400.

I have "connections" for a 15% discount, or buy 3, get one free, sorta.

Gonna use that connection.

Then there is the work of drawing out the patterns and cutting them.

But i swear, it is worth it. Doesn't ever get stinky or wet, and easy to keep clean.

I hope the guys who sell this stuff read this and give me FURTHER DISCOUNT on the sheets for pushing the product so hard

But really, GOOD stuff. I would never use anything but...

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Looks very nice. I'm considering it for a few slippery areas on my boat. Any problems with fading if you get the bright colors?

Thanks!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

I'm looking to add it to the swim platform of the boat. Everything else (cockpit/flybridge/ladder/etc) are carpet. I would like it removable, though. Any ideas on that? Is it too thick to run snaps through? I'm not much for velcro and i don't want permanant installation.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Nice job

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Never seen any fading. I have used similar stuff on surfboards and my oldest board was purchased in 1996 and applied the stick on padding, and still looks like new. Not in the sun all day every day, but used a LOT!

You "might" be able to use snaps if you wanted to. I would still apply the hydroturf to some sort of flexible backing material canvas or something, ortherwise the buttons would just rip out of the foam. You could skip the 3M and use contact cement instead, I bet. In fact, you could even apply the hydro turf OVER the buttons so you don't see them or get hung up on them.

I have never tried anything like that, so if you do, let us know how it turns out.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

I am keeping the templates for the cuts, if anybody ever wants them, i can make a copy. 03 Glastron GX185.

I figure if I ever need to replace a damaged piece, or redo it, I will have the most difficult part out of the way. Making the templates can be VERY time consuming. Especially for those parts that are not included in the carpet set.

The carpeted area will be cut into 3 separate pieces so that water can flow between them and drain. So instead of one piece where the 1-piece carpet is, there will be 3 pieces with a 1" gap between them.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

I use hydroturf on my Jet Skis. It does say in the instructions that you should not leave it in the sun for a prolonged period of time. I have not had any fading issues at all.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

I have cut a few more pieces but forgot acetone to clean surfaces before gluing them down. Still need to buy 2 more sheets to finish up the boat.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Third piece. Can be compared to the old carpet in the rear of the picture (bottom).

Eventually we will swap out all carpet with the blue hydroturf. When finances allow us to. A winter project.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

That stuff is really expensive. I have used it alot.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

Yes, it is a bit steep. Going to cost me about $350 (includees shipping costs) to do the entire boat. 18.5 footer. But that includes some patches on the steps up on the rails, the swim platform, all carpeted areas, and a couple strips along the engine hatch where there is a slippery space behind the cushions.

I will likely have lots left over, because I am trying to keep the diamond pattern squared to the centerline of the boat on all pieces. Therefore, I need to cut most at an angle leaving large triangle shaped spare parts.

If it was a solid flat sheet without a pattern or groove, I could do it with one less sheet and have less left over.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

I don't think that's entirely unreasonable price-wise. It looks real sharp also.