Recommendation for carpet replacement to solid surface.

[Old Ironmaker]

I have a 94' StarCraft Superfisherman 190. It is carpeted on plywood from the top of the gunnels (aluminum underneath), down the interior walls and across the floor and on the rear casting platform. Other than in the bow area the carpet isn't really bad for a 25 year old boat, not bad for a 10 year old boat really. I want to replace the carpet with a solid surface material. The gunnels and sidewalls are very good and don't really need to be replaced but I will if only for aesthetics. I have looked at some solid surface glue down commercial vinyl, rubber type materials at flooring stores. They have non slip surfacing, some with checkerplate design some with raised spots, it looks good. I have gone on line and looked at what is available from solid glue down to paint and liquid vinyl roll on, the choices are beyond confusing. The boat is covered at all times unless in use or I know it isn't going to rain as to dry it out of humidity in the summer. I have gone out at 2AM to cover it when it rained. Can you say anal when it comes to my baby?

I know you folks will steer me in the right direction. I will be doing it myself. White or black is not an option for a few reasons. I'm in Ontario, not everything is available here that is in the States and I won't buy anything sight unseen. Old fashioned child of the 50's. I got my first credit card . when I took my pension, my Banker claimed it effected my credit rating, I didn't even have a credit rating.

Recommendations please.

Thanks, Johnny D/

 

[jbcurt00]

Nautolex is a popular choice and avail north of the border.

budski and dozerII both used it IIRC

 

[Scott Danforth]

I personally would remove the carpet and have it rhino-lined or line-x'd get it done in any color you want. that stuff is non-skid, dang near indestructible and the best part...... once you remove the carpet and scuff up the surface to remove the glue, you have already prep'd the surface for the bed liner and its not much more than buying carpet or nautolex, etc.

do not use the bed-liner in a can. it has to be the professional-applied cross-linked poly urea product

 

[JimS123]

I've never been a fan of carpet. IMHO, it has no place in a boat. My first new boat came with a non-skid vinyl floor. It could have been Nautolex, I dunno. When I bought my next boat I custom ordered it with the same material. That was 1984, and to this day the deck still looks like new.

We sold our Starcraft tinny last year. It was a 2009 deluxe utility (came with a vinyl covered wood floor). Also, the seat tops and livewell cover were trimmed in the same material. I added a splash guard and small floor section in the bow area, using a material called Marideck

It was a perfect match to the OEM Starcraft vinyl.. Looking at other Starcraft models, I believe they all use the same product.

A catalog lists it as Dorsett Marine, so I guess Marideck was bought out. If I ever do another boat deck that would be it. I personally think that aesthetically it looks better than Nautolex.


(OOPS I guess I mentioned an IBoats competitor. It was done without malice since I thought the product was not available here)

 

[Old Ironmaker]

All good suggestions guys. Just what I was looking for. The question now will be for me to budget for this.

JimS123, I really like the Marideck, from the pics it looks to be the stipple I like. Actually the colour would go well with the StarCraft Royal Blue. Do you know if comes in other colours Jim?

scott Danforth the professionally installed bed liner would be great and I know it most likely would look like it was professionally installed. When we redid a buddies early model StarCraft 2 winters ago he DIY'd a roll on/spray on Canadian Tire after market bed liner in a can material and it looks like it. I think he got as much material on himself and the carpeted sidewalls than on the floor. By the time he paid for it he should have just hired a pro to apply the right stuff. It would be my first choice and I know it would last my lifetime and most likely the lifetime of the boat. It would look great on the gunnels and sidewalls too. Budget will determine if it's a go. A local Auto Body shop does it. I need to get him a measurement of the interior space. He said I can save a few bucks ripping out the carpet myself and prepping. No biggy.

jbcurt00, I have seen Nautilex sold here. If I go that route I will buy it south of the border. It retails for about 2.5 times the price here in Ontario. Plus I can have some real deal Wings and a beef on a Kimowhick bun.

Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again all.

 

[JimS123]

My color is a blue/grey. I know the retailer also carries a brownish version. The manufacturer's website showed several other colors, but that would have to be ordered directly from them I would guess.

My former supplier has a current store right in my backyard. Their parent company has a store in St. Catherines, and I've been there as well. Check with IBoats - maybe they could order it for you.

I like my boats to be functional, but to look nice too. I don't relish the thought of fishing out of the back of a pickemuptruck bed. My new fishing ride is a Whaler with an inner liner and no need for any vinyl. That's surely the catsmeow, but if it ever needed repair the Dorsett would be my choice.

Sounds like we may even ply the same fishing spots.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I am an hour and a bit from St. Kitts. Selkirk On. on Erie. I had a gig there 12 years ago on Bunting Rd. next to Staples. I drove there and back everyday. PM me with the name please JimS123.

 

[dingbat]

I’m going against the tide and say KDIH I put bed liner in a boat after I’ve seen the results of professional applied bed liner on the beds of three different pick up.

No indication of under laying problems until the bottom falls out.

I would personally go with a Polyurethane Non-Skid Enamel. Holds up well and easy to keep clean. Any scratches or gouges are easily painted over. Any developing problems are easily identifed and remedied

My second choice would be orange shag carpeting with avacato trim....lol

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Id second Nautolex keep in mind these are vynil and produce a fair amount of heat I went with whats called Shark its a mottled grey ish color and it even gets hot so a bright or dark color is going to be hot on hot sunny days I would not use a blue if that has any value. my boat had a deep blue carpet prior to the restoration. And the new grey may be kind of boring compared to the carpet but I would not switch back for any reasons. And before you start id advise a little poke test here and there and see if your wood is really as solid as it needs to be. Carpet is woods enemy.

My restoration was a rebuild of everything wood and some aluminum. One factor to know if your going to lift your consoles and replace the carpet with something else every deminsion in your boat is now off. Carpet has a thickness that changes the position of everything. As I began to build I found nothing would fit every piece had a different curve and measurement usually off about 1/4” some places more because there might have been three or four folds of carpet. In the end my boats ready to go another 20 plus years. There was a point when i looked at the carniage and wondered if I had made the right choice.

As far as gluing your new coating most marine adhesives will be fine the big issue is the condition of the top of your wood. If its going to flake or delaminate it will not be an adhesion issue you will battle it will be the top layer of wood separating that is your problem. One thing you might do if it is structurally sound would be to put a couple coats of marine epoxy resin on prior to installation. Be aware some of these will not cure if the temp is not warm enough. I battled this with my new wood all pieces recieved two coats I did this over the winter and I could not get my shop warm enough in feb to get it to cure. OK I could have by running my heater night and day. I think you need 65 degrees for it to cure properly and given the scope of my project i just decided to wait. I made as many pieces as i could and waited for it to warm up.

 

[Watermann]

I have Nautolex Shark in both my Starcrafts, it's nothing short of fantastic.

Guys keep talking about bed liner everywhere I turn, sure use it in the back of your truck but not in your boat. All you have to do is read the literature on it from the manufacturer and you'll not want to use it on plywood.

 

[82rude]

Well the bedliner I used tells you how to apply to plywood.Now mind you its only been a year but its easly cleaned ,tuff as nails and non slip.What I want to know is if you go out at 2am to put a cover on boat if it rains what do you do if you in the middle of the lake and it rains?Flip the boat upside down?:joyous::joyous::joyous: Waterman your flooring looks like what my friend put in his tinny,very nice stuff.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Good points you guys. I hadn't considered a difference in thickness. The floors I have seen done were gut jobs. I sure don't want a gap I miss that will cause a problem not solve it. I'm not afraid of taking on a project but now I'm leaning on doing just the bow where there is torn and worn carpet and maybe the rear casting platform. That Nautilex sure looks slick. The balance is fine really that a few gallons of shampoo won't do. The shop has a gas fired tube heater and a nice big Canuck woodstove. A 40 of Wiser's and a case of Canadian will cover Little Buddy's propane bill for a few days, maybe 2 cases.

The StarCrafts sure look familiar. Is yours a SC lowlysaburuguy? Looks like one from the bow pic anyway.

 

[Watermann]

A little closer look at the Shark Nautolex...

 

[82rude]

Is that your minnow box?lol.Looks like a nice dinner.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

The Shark Nautolex is available here about 3 hrs from me in Barrie Ontario. At $41.00 a yard CDN not a bad price. Watermann your SC looks to be about the same size as mine. Do you remember offhand how many yards you needed? As far as heat on the floor it's not usually a big problem unless we are drifting or still fishing for Perch. We never anchor and go for a swim or bake in the Sun these days. 99% of the time if the boat is stopped it's at the slip or on a trailer.

Any suggestions as to make up for the difference between carpet thickness and the Nautolex at the edges if any difference? edit: I have a dozen 4'X8' sheets of 1/8" underlay gathering dust. That would make up any diff. and save me time and sweat scraping and grinding most of the old glue off the plywood. I would seal that with spar or similar before gluing down anything I choose.

Description. (mods, if a similar product available avail here please delete if needed)

Popular textured decking which provides excellent traction. Resistant to mildew, stains and abrasion from sand or dirt. Heavy duty Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and maintain. Just hose down to clean. Product is rated Ultra Violet Resistant equal to or greater than 500 hours. Abrasion: Product meets or exceeds 6,000 double rubs.Cold Crack: Equal to or greater than -40 degrees celsius. 100% polyvinyl (PVC). Seam strength (CFFA-14):81.2 x 70.8. Adhesion (CFFA-3): 5.0 lb minimum. Film thickness is .0198mm. Uses: Carpet/flooring outdoor. Weight: 24.8oz/sq yard, 49.6oz/lineal yard . 72" width. Sold by the running Yard.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah I ordered 10 yards for my 18' SS and with shipping it was $223 USD.

I assume you'll pull the deck pieces and glue the vinyl. If it is an issue having a gap, you could always add a strip of the carpet under the vinyl around the circumference and then wrap over it and staple down the vinyl.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I’m going against the tide and say KDIH I put bed liner in a boat after I’ve seen the results of professional applied bed liner on the beds of three different pick up.



My second choice would be orange shag carpeting with avacato trim....lol

Thanks for the quick reply Watermann. sounds about right, almost double in CDN funds plus shipping.

@ dingbat. What is KDIH? I am SrtFrm challenged. I hear you on the bed liner hiding problems. I see shag is making a comeback, I kid you not. I watch HGTV. House and Garden Television.

1/2 time. I am no New England fan but hope they take it all. I want to know I was alive and I watched 2 Aliens guide a team to 6 Super Bowls. It will never happen again, in mine or any lifetime. The trophy will never be named anything but "The Lombardi" but Belechick is the greatest coach of any sport of any time.

 

[82rude]

Heres one I found old,there must be more.I will ask my friend I'm sure he used the nautalex also.https://www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/Na...k_p_11613.html I made my flooring in my ss160 so it would be fairly easy to remove and add or replace anything.Mine is strictly a fishing boat and see,s pretty hard use for fancy flooring.So far I like the dupi-color bed liner.Very tuff.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

First see if there is a perfect fit Mc Donald Douglas within shipping areas of you youll probably be looking at enough to get a reduced cost on the Nautolex I think it comes in about $21 a yard ( I think I paid $16 or $17 when I did mine) at a certain volumn not to mention they will sell you the glue and carry a ton of fasteners and things you might need. Be sure to ask where the break point is.

As far as getting the height right id probably make shims out of aluminum. Up to 1/4” thicknesses can be cut with a special aluminum blade and a skill saw. 1/8” can be cut with a carbide blade that your going to throw away when your done. I regularly cut 1/2” thick plate but its not something you just jump out there and do. You can file and send the edges to make a smooth finish that wont hurt you its easy to work with id buy enough to cut strips for everywhere use a guide ( 1x4”) clamped to the aluminum plate with your piece on a piece of plywood and cut all the way through just touching the plywood as you cut make sure you wear goggles aluminum ships are not fun in the eyes.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Find a Perfect fit Mc Donald Douglas ask them how much you have to buy to get the bulk purchase price I think it can be had for $20 a years if you hit the right mark. They also will ship and carry lots of supplies like glue and boat trim pieces for canvas covers tarps etc.

Id use aluminum for shimming what will no longer fit a skill saw with a guide ( straight 1x4” works great) 1/8” can be cut with your average carbide blade and skill saw I cut 1/2” plate with a special aluminum blade and a wax like lube often but it requires multiple passes. Buy a strip of it and cut your own file the edges and then lightly sand them.

I throw some facts about Nautolex we fish dyed baits they stain everything even if you dont get it on it. I just wipe it off and it goes away on its own. This stuff cleans up really easy I rinse my boat with a garden hose I used to need a pressure washer. But I will re state not to use a dark or bright color if you boat bare foot in how weather it does get warm.