Carpet on boats. What does the team think?

[Hoolie]

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Glad that this thread has run, I was feeling a bit self-conscious having carpets on the boat but it seems that we are not alone...

You're not. If you're living aboard, even for a week or two, then comfort has to to be a major factor. I suppose it depends how you sail, but we've never had to test the water resistant properties of our carpet - unless we're seriously pooped with the washboards out there's little chance of water getting below.

 

[PhilipH]

This is the solution - flexible, washable, portable: http://www.marksandspencer.com/Slip...BG_SlippersBG&kwid=44055048575_Google+Adwords

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

If you get in touch with someone who specialises in marine fabrics you will find short pile tufted carpet designed for the job that won't rot or go mouldy and will easily dry out if it gets wet. Don't use normal domestic carpet, it won't do the job and after two or three seasons will smell musty and stay damp.

Cant agree on having to fork out for expensive marine carpets.
It is possible to buy non natural fabric rubber backed carpets for bathroom which is easy to glue in place on well prepared surfaces.
They have very short pile which dries very quickly and thin but tuff rubber backing, are cheap and easy to find in most carpet stores.
I bought aprox 8 sq mtr cut off for less than £20.
I wouldent suggest carpeting the coach roof due to the chance of breathing floating micro fibres/dust.
C_W

 

[Cantata]

did my boat with an offcut from a carpet shop. its hessian backed - agree that you should avoid rubber and foam. my boat is very dry - the bilges do get water in but ventilation is good so we never get damp and mustiness. a few strips of industrial velcro from my time doing exhibitions stops it moving around too much. wouldn't bond anything to the grp but any short piled carpet would be okay if your boat isn't damp. and at the price of offcuts if it gets nasty chuck it away and replace it.

Exactly what we did this year after I'd sneered at carpets on boats for years. It sits snugly on the teak'n'holly sole, fits well after making a paper pattern first from wall lining paper. A revelation, especially padding off to the heads on a cold dark night.
Will probably remove it and store it at home during the winter, though, lest it get damp.

 

[dt4134]

The boat was designed for carpets with recesses moulded into the inner moulding. The previous owner had replaced the originals with cheap ones that weren't fixed down in any way so they used to slide around and the backing was disintegrating.

I replaced them with carpets I carefully cut to shape and glued down everywhere except where access to the bilges was required. The carpets were nothing special but the carpet shop owner assured me that it was the type he normally sold to pubs. Anything beyond five years use will be a bonus.

Next time I might use the Copydex trick to seal the edges but other than very minor amounts of fraying they've worked well so far and have not been adversely affected by getting a wee bit damp occasionally (usually from dripping wet crew).

 

[webcraft]

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We have a carpet that fits the saloon sole . . . it is rubber backed and made of some form of stiff nylon. We take it up on passage in all but the calmest conditions to keep it dry and to avoid it slipping.

- W

 

[pampas]

B&Q box of carpet tiles has done the job for me about £12 for 10

 

[Giblets]

I seem to recall that BrendanS used AstroTurf on his boat as he spent so much time shipping green water he found the water drained away quicker with it fitted!

 

[prv]

I bought something similar to this, in a size which fits almost perfectly on our rectangular cabin sole.

It's comfy on bare feet, doesn't slide, and at the end of the day it's a doormat so should be hardwearing and not mind a bit of water or dirt. Every now and then I get it out on the pontoon, shake it out, then scrub with the deck brush, freshwater hose, and a very little washing up liquid. It dries out quickly and goes back in.

I was even able to find one with colours to match the upholstery

Pete

 

[Tammany]

Search outdoor carpet. Basically marine carpet but without the marine/boat pricetag. It's polypropylene so doesn't hold water and you can jetwash it to clean it no problems.

 

[RichardS]

Search outdoor carpet. Basically marine carpet but without the marine/boat pricetag. It's polypropylene so doesn't hold water and you can jetwash it to clean it no problems.

I suspect that in the intervening 4 years the OP might have made a suitable purchase. However, he might still be looking for scatter cushions ..... and we seem to have a breeding pair as everytime I go down to the boat there are more of them!

Richard

 

[Tammany]

Yep, realised it was an old thread after posting, came across it in a google search.

 

[Tobye1]

Just in the final stages of refurbishing my 19ft. Just covered interior with 4 way stretch carpet off ebay. Cheap. Hard wearing. Soft. Easy to work. Ticks all the boxes.

 

[Tobye1]

And I've just realised this thread is 4yr old. Duh!