install carpet with cap off?

[dccordell]

Hate to make another post on the carpet topic, but just was wondering if it is ever normal to install new carpet on a boat (after stringer/deck replacement) before the cap goes back on? I noticed that the factory or PO of my boat had installed the carpet from one side of the boat to the other, from cap to cap, if that makes any sense. I'm thinking that was the way they did it back then (and maybe now too?). Waste of carpet ($$)?

If I do it after I reinstall the cap, what is best to put inside the storage bins under the seats? Put the carpet in there too, or paint over the fiberglass? Haven't done any research on gel coat, so not sure on that.

I don't have a great picture of the interior of the boat before it was taken apart, but the cap has the seats on it, deck boat style, so the cap covers all of the sides of the interior boat hull.

Cap hanging.. see how it goes all the way down to the deck?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

Factories usually finish off the hull liner portion prior to putting the cap on. That includes the carpet.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

I considered the idea of this, untill I remember that the inside seam was going to have to adhere to the top deck somehow, and if carpet was there, you would have to cut it or something to get bare glass

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

I personally would carpet before the cap goes on..

I dont think its a waste of carpet and its SOOO much easier to lay down.

YD.

 

[dccordell]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

Good thought WTR, but I don't think I'll have to do that on this boat from the inside... All I can tell was ever between the hull and the cap was some kind of silicone, which was done from the outside seam. So no problems there...

Yeah, YD, I figured it would be a lot easier too! Won't have to worry about cutting it to the exact sizes around the cap seats and center console. Still thinking about it though.... if I do is this way, I'll have to make sure to find some carpet wide enough so I won't have a seem down the center of the deck. The widest part is just over 7'.

Yeah fireman, thought so... wasn't sure if it was good "rebuild" practice or not. Looks ok tho!

Thanks!! Building motor mount/bilge box tomorrow, then glass! Slowly but surely, weather permitting...

 

[dccordell]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

Ok, gotta wake up this old thread for a quick question. I have been wondering how.. if I put the carpet down BEFORE the cap (and before the center console), what would be the best way to secure the "inside seam" where the cap goes down to the floor (I now realize what westex was saying in his reply)? And when I put the center console in, I don't think it would be a good idea to set it on top of the carpet and then screw down. I want to put it right down on the glassed deck, then screw/pl it in. If you look in the pic in the first post, you can see where the cap seam will meet the deck and at these points I need to have some sort of screws to hold that plywood in place to the deck. Seems if I put the console and/or cap seam on top of the carpet, that would create a moisture-trap.

So as much as I wanted to put the carpet in before the cap, now I'm leaning more towards putting the cap on first and then the console, then cutting the carpet to fit. Or maybe lay the carpet after the cap, then leave a square hole in the carpet the exact size of the console, so the console will fit in right onto the deck. That would make it easier to get the carpet down without having to cut it around the console and probably creating a seam across the deck in at least one spot. That make sense?

Any input?

 

[oops!]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

carpet in first bud....you will be glad you did.

in the area you speak of.....just dont use glue in that spot.
throw the cap on......mark the spot....lift the cap back up and cut the rug....then glue the area you didnt glue...
drop the cap, and do as you will....

 

[dccordell]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

Ok ok.. will stick to the original plan then... with a slightly different approach. Thanks!

 

[Fisherball]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

If I were rebuilding it to keep as long as it will last I'd put the carpet after the cap cuz the carpet will need to be replaced b/4 the next deck/stringer replacement. I'd hate to have to pull the cap to change the carpet.

 

[dccordell]

Re: install carpet with cap off?

cuz the carpet will need to be replaced b/4 the next deck/stringer replacement.

I was actually thinking about that earlier today while I was working on the boat. I just figured that maybe the old carpet could be cut around the perimeter of the inside of the boat when replacement is necessary. Probably a pain in the butt though.. I suppose the carpet will already be cut around most of the perimeter because I'll have to cut it in those spots during installation to make sure the cap seam contacts the deck and not just the carpet.

Popping the cap to change the carpet would be humorous to many on here I'm sure! haha