Fitted carpets in a boat

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Ex-SolentBoy

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To stop our Spaniel becoming a guided missile in a seaway, and to protect the cabin sole, we are planning to fit carpets this winter.

I have seen them and liked them on Hallbergs. Finished edges and press studs to hold them down.

Any Hallberg or other carpet owners out there?

I would appreciate advice on materials, do' and dont's, how best to secure etc.

Thanks.
 
we have a flotex type in the saloon, no fixings but it has a rubber type backing for non slip. easy to take out for drying if if gets damp, protects the floor panels, which still look like new, after 28 years of use.

no carpet near the heads area, its a no go in my book...
 
SolentBoy said:
Any Hallberg or other carpet owners out there?
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My HR is carpeted. The carpet is rubber-backed and seems very durable (it's the original stuff, now 20 years old). It has to be carefully cut and well-secured by press studs. It isn't very practical if it's going to get soaked, otherwise it's great.
 
Had carpets throughout my boat (except heads;)) for the last 18 years. Rubber-backed (gel back usually) bathroom type.

but

Mine only seem to last a max of 5 years & in the final year the backs go to powder & the carpets start to slide despite the studs. I thought at first it was the heat (in the tropics) that caused the backing to break down but they've done the same in this (sh*t) climate.

Despite this, new set on order for next season :).
 
Have carpet on my HR now 13 years old and still good for another 13 years I guess. They do have securing studs. Fitted same foam backed and stitched to my last boat initially without the push studs but fitted the push studs later when the carpet had stretched a bit. Make sure they are 100% synthetic so you can hose them off at the end of the season if they do get salty. Also use good quality 316 studs. We purchased the carpet and got it hemmed/stitched in our local carpet shop in Plymouth.
 
I have carpets that I cut to fit. Edges tend to fray after a bit unless sewn or sealed. Don't use 'foam' back type. The best type are the man made ones with no wool, etc so if the get wet they can be hung out to dry or rinsed to remove salt.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Our boat is very dry below, so I am confident with the proper carpet approach.

I have just got to decide where to do the breaks for sole board access now.
 
SHUG said:
Flotex is the stuff .It is "everything-proof"
See: http://www.topfloorcarpets.co.uk/flooring-types/flotex
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+1

Just recarpeted our main cabin with Flotex, replacing the Flotex that had been there for goodness knows how many years. (Her indoors wanted a different colour!).

The old carpet is now down again for the winter and has been down during an engine change and a major refurbishment of the interior. If it gets dirty just take it up, hose it down and scrub it. No problems with slipping. No fraying off the edges.

Next job is fit the same new Flotex to the forward cabin.
 
My HR was with carpets, rather to my dismay, never having had anything but wooden cabin soles before - just couldn't imagine it being practical or hygienic, especially in a warm climate.

Five years on I wouldn't change. It still looks like new and is easily washed. It is merely cut to fit and, because it is rubber-backed and very heavy, stays in place even in a seaway. It seems to be a synthetic base but very comfortable underfoot.
 
Our HR is also fully carpeted. My first reaction was that it looked pansy and would be impractical but we have been very happy with it. The carpet tends to confine a lot of the dirt and vacuuming it occasionally is easier than cleaning the whole boat. Aturtle mat is a useful addition.

The only problem we've had is that the press-studs near the companionway corroded with the occasional salt water brought in. this made them hard to release and the poppers have torn through the carpet in places. It has been necessary to put heavy-duty velcro strips there. If I were starting again I would either seek S/S fixings or grease or lanolin them thoroughly before use.
 
johnalison said:
Our HR is also fully carpeted. My first reaction was that it looked pansy and would be impractical but we have been very happy with it. The carpet tends to confine a lot of the dirt and vacuuming it occasionally is easier than cleaning the whole boat. Aturtle mat is a useful addition.

. . .
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My Malo likewise. Echo remark about pansy-looking at first sight but I like it now.

Penguin is carpeted with press studs and bound round the edges, leaving an inch or two of wood sole showing at edges. Easy to vacuum. We don't get water below apart from drips off oilies, but anyway I'd avoid wool carpets. Ours is man-made closed-loop type so not thick and boudoirish, more like car carpet.

I should think a spaniel would think this an improvement over bare wood cabin sole, but perhaps you will have to ask him/her.
 
Ive just replaced mine on my Moody I never liked the original which were green. I took them all up and used them as templates. I then used spray glue from B&Q. It was quite easy took about a day to remove and another to lay. They are only in the cabins and not in the main saloon so dont get wet. They look very good if you do the same get some new blades for your stanley knife. Also use a wide cold chisel to get the carpet right to the edges.

Maurice
 
Just a thought. Does anyone know if it is possible to buy large bits of Turtle Mat and cut/ fit it so you have a Turtle Mat carpet?
 
jbweston said:
My Malo likewise. Echo remark about pansy-looking at first sight but I like it now.

Penguin is carpeted with press studs and bound round the edges, leaving an inch or two of wood sole showing at edges. Easy to vacuum. We don't get water below apart from drips off oilies, but anyway I'd avoid wool carpets. Ours is man-made closed-loop type so not thick and boudoirish, more like car carpet.

I should think a spaniel would think this an improvement over bare wood cabin sole, but perhaps you will have to ask him/her.
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Ours are similar, but fitted to the edges all round in the main cabin, also fore and aft cabins, but not the heads. Our spaniel really enjoys and is most confident wandering around. Also great for him cleaning his eyes on in the morning and having a roll on his back!. We do have a zip-up terry towling to to let him dry off in if he is wet so keeping the carpet from getting damp. We also like the carpets and they stay in place even without studs around the edge.
 
kyleview said:
Ours are similar, but fitted to the edges all round in the main cabin, also fore and aft cabins, but not the heads. Our spaniel really enjoys and is most confident wandering around. Also great for him cleaning his eyes on in the morning and having a roll on his back!. We do have a zip-up terry towling to to let him dry off in if he is wet so keeping the carpet from getting damp. We also like the carpets and they stay in place even without studs around the edge.
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Brilliant. Especially love the Zip bag.

I love this forum!
 
at the lower end of the scale, we bought a cheapie offcut of fairly durable looking carpet and cut to size using the old one as a template.

secured in place with industrial strength 'dabs' of velcro so its easy to lift but doesn't slide around

our trapper had a carpet fitted when we bought it and as she's a dry boat - no mustiness or dampness it does make the inside a bit nicer and user friendly
 
Carpet tiles-non slip and if you need to access anywhere you dont have to lift the whole carpet-similarly if one gets wet or covered in diesel-I use general purpose Band Q /Homebase whichever is offering the best deal.
If you want them to stay put then use a little dab of low mod silicolne sealant.
Oh and for the head I use those rubber door scraper mats-the ones with holes in them-I have a wet room shower toilet so have them fitted to shower basin which is an odd shape-non slip and water drains through them.
 
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