replacing carpet in boat

[niceshot]

I have a 96 lund that has been used very little but the carpet is in pretty rough shape. I would like to replace it and might go with a vinal floor. My questions are
1. Is this a pain to do?
2. If I do decide to do this should i replace the plywood.

[timinthegorge]

I'm not a fan of carpet in boats, unless they're 50'+ yachts..... :wink:

If it was me, I'd pull the seats, pull the old carpet and see what kind of shape the plywood is in. If it's good, you could go with vinyl. If it's punky, you could replace it with vinyl clad plywood. Just make sure the vinyl has a good tread pattern, cause the smooth stuff is slicker than whale snot when wet.

My boat came with vinyl clad plywood. I went one step further, and added restaurant style rubber mats throughout. It's quiet, non-slip, drains well, and not very spendy....... Just a thought. If you want pics, send me a PM... :twocents:

[AlseaAssassin]

I'm at the mid-project stage right now and it hasn't been that bad really. I just unscrewed the existing plywood/carpet (which was rotted) and used it as a template for the new 5/8 inch plywood. I would recommend using a straight edge rather than the old floor for straight lines though. I got my vinyl from Bentley's at 18.00 a running yard and transcribed the pattern. I used scissors to cut the vinyl then applied the adhesive I got at Home Depot to the plywood. Oh almost forgot, make sure you seal the rough edges of the plywood with some sort of resin. Let the adhesive dry until tacky then stretch on your vinyl. I used staples on the under side of plywood to hold it in place until dry. Drill your holes and replace. Looks good and isn't that difficult. Especially when compared to acid washing/polishing your hull. Now that's another story entirely, talk about a work load. If I would have known how long that would have taken me I wouldn't have done it.

[sliverslinger]

If you do choose to go with the vinyl, make sure you use a good outdoor rated glue. The glue is expensive but well worth it. I glue carpet onto front porches and back decks quite a bit, and that is the only glue I would use.
my.02

[pugetplunker]

nautlex floor covering by omnova solutions. i would change the plwood also. as the above post says use a good contact cement. 3m makes a great one, i forget the product number but its green in color and solvent based.we use it at work and it out performs the water based cement by a long ways

[Flushing Bulls]

If you can get some marine grade plywood that will last longer than any bb or ac grade plywood. Heat and weather can deteriorate plywood in a matter of months if a little moisture gets to work.