Finally added our first 2 pieces of hydroturf!!!

[1fishbone]

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

I was looking for an alternative to put down on 'step' areas and at the helm.
I think I found it!

Thanks!

 

[bekosh]

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

Looks great scoop! That's the same color and pattern that I used on my Wellcraft.

For mine, the hardest part was making the pattern to fit around the swim ladder.
As for fading, I installed mine at the beginning of the 2008 season and haven't seen any fading at all since then.

 

[scooper77515]

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

bekosh, that looks really good, and great job around that ladder! That took some time to get it that straight

I don't think $350 is unreasonable at all. And on my last boat, I had it for several years without fading, easy to keep clean, doesn't stink or get moldy. No comparison to carpet.

And looks sharp, too!

I used it on my jetski also, but I cheaped out and bought it without the 3M backing. Bad mistake. Harder to apply, and glue squeezed out and got all over around the pads. So to make it look nice, be sure to pay extra for the 3M peel-and-stick adhesive. It is an extra $30 (substantially raises the price of each sheet!) but well worth it.

 

[BTMCB]

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

Scoop,

Looks great. I have been thinking about lining the floor of my ski locker with something. Have you used the hydroturf to do that? If not, do you think it would work. Cutting the pieces to fit (and making the templates) might be some work but worth it? I am not too concerned about cost but would that be overkill maybe?

Thanks in advance.

 

[scooper77515]

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

That would work great! And I think I may do that too. Just remember to leave an inch or so empty strip in the middle to allow free drainage. Otherwise you may get puddling in the middle.

To make my templates, I use heavy brown paper on a huge roll, 36" wide, from the paint store. Roll it out and cut it approximately to fit the area, and just use a dull square carpenters pencil to push it into the corners and leave a line.

On my flooring, I just tape the paper down and slowly run the carpenter pencil pressing hard, just outside and against the sandy-textured part of the gelcoat. The pencil will want to stay outside of the texture. That will get you the general shape you want, then cut a smooth line on it. For symmetrical sections, you only need to do it for one side then flip it for the other.

Tape the paper template upside down to the back of the hydroturf, and cut with utility knife held at 90 degree angle. I sometimes need to hit the corners and round them off with scissors.

Sounds like a lot of work, but not nearly as bad as it sounds.

 

[BTMCB]

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

Thanks for your advice Scoop. I now have a "to do" project!

 

[scooper77515]

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

Found another place I will be installing spare chunks of hydroturf...On top of trailer fenders, and on trailer tongue extension. I often step onto those areas when I am getting in and out of boat, and this should prevent future slips and injuries.

 

[npauls]

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

Do you think this stuff would be a good replacement for an aluminum fishing boat? I have a 99 alumacraft magnum and would like to swap out the carpet but if this stuff will work better and still stick to the wood below the carpet then I may have to put in an order.


Nate

 

[scooper77515]

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

Not sure how well it would stick to wood.

If anyone wants to try a chunk, pm me your address and i will stick a small piece in an envelope for you to try out.

 

[scooper77515]

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

Weather finally warmed up enough to finish the hydroturf. Actually, got a bit TOO warm so I didn't take my time as I should have, and some of the lines aren't perfect, but will do fine for us.

With BEFORE pics with old faded carpet.

 

[Tailguner]

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

thats looks great!!! now i want to do my boat the same way....great job!!!

 

[scooper77515]

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

The wife didn't like those two big white spaces under the seats, so I added a couple of U-shaped chunks to fill those in.

I still have the equivalent of at least a full sheet left over of odd-shaped and sized pieces, so I think I will empty out the ski-locker and line it, with a 2" gap down the middle for drainage. Maybe even a chunk or two in the anchor stow to keep that from rattling.

I have added some chunks on the front of the trailer (for the rare occasion when the water is too cold to step into, so I step from truck bed, to trailer tongue, to bow of boat). This will keep me from slipping off there and racking myself. I also added chunks to the top of the fender wells, since they are slick as snot on a doorknob when wet, and we often step on those to get in/out of the boat.

Not sure where else I may put it. But I have plenty left over.

For what it is worth, if you take your old carpet out and use it as a template, it only takes about an hour to cut your pieces, or less. Takes more time to clean the floor and get the crud up that works it's way through the carpet over the years.