Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

[concordsteve]

I have a 1981 concord 18ft bowrider that is need of some new indoor/outdoor carpet. The carpet goes up the inside of the boat along with the floor. I have never done anything like this before is it a hard job? What would be a fair price to pay if I was going to have it done. THANKS FOR RESPONCES

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

I wouldn't even consider paying to have this done as it's really easy. Any outdoor carpet and outdoor carpet glue will work.

One piece of advice, inspect the carpet you intend to buy and see how easily dirt brushes off of it. I carpeted my last boat with a fairly inexpensive carpet from BassPro. It looked fine but man it was like VELCRO with dirt. Even a vacuum with a beater bar had trouble dislodging dirt and fuzzies from that carpet. On my current project I'm going with carpet on the gunwales and casting decks but on the main floor I'm going with either marine vinyl or Durabak. Much easier to clean.

 

[bass or bass ?]

Re: Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

Take your time and cut carpet to fit. When installing, after applying adhesive, use a roller to smooth out and eliminate bubbles. I used a heavy wooden bakers rolling pin. Staet in one corner and work your way to opposite corner.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

Cutting to fit can get tricky depending upon the lines of the boat. I used a large piece of cardboard measured and cut it to fit. When I cut and layed the carpet I was a little short in places for some reason. When I recut the carpet for the same area I gave myself up to 1/2 inch excess in the areas where I was short on the original piece. After glueing the carpet down I went back and carefully trimed off any excess after the glue had dried. This gave me a clean look and a pretty good fit.

Any panels/storage lids; I glued the carpet to before I did the final install of the wood pieces. I wrapped the carpet around any exposed edges of the wood pieces which gave everything a really nice look. You have to remember to allow of the thickness of the carpet when it's wrapped or your lids may not close correctly.

I bought a very short nap outdoor carpet from both Lowes and Home Depot. Neither store had all of the colors I needed. When buying carpet, test it to see how easy the backing bends if you plan to wrap any pieces of wood. The really stiff backing will not give you a "clean/neat" wrap. You might consider two diffferent backings. Stiff for the large flat areas and a more flexible backing for any wraps you plan on doing.

The key is to take your time.

 

[Damifudo]

Re: Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

I bought some good low nap indoor outdoor carpet from Home depot and layed it in the boat after rough cutting it to size. Took everything out of the boat including unbolding seats. Mine was all open like this.

Took a sharp carpet knife and cut around it the way I wanted it. Didnt bother glueing it down or anything. Bolted the seats in to hold it in place. It looks good and had held up for 3 years now. I have done this 3 times for this boat now. Every 4-5 years I install new carpet on the floor and it looks so good. The biggest PIA is removing everything and reinstalling it. If you can handle that part it will be and easy job.

My 2 cents. Hope it helps. Best looking up grade you can do for 100 dollars.

 

[concordsteve]

Re: Installing new indoor/outdoor carpet???

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will try doing it myself, I was worried about the amount angle cuts cuts in the boat but I will just buy plenty of extra carpet and learn as I go.