Let's discuss cockpit carpet / rug runners replacement

Boat Guy

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2013
2,289
Who knows? Could be Cali, Oahu, Florida, Annapolis
Boat Info
400 DA
Engines
CAT 3116s
Hey guys,

My carpet runners have had their last season. So time to replace. I remember going on a boat at a boat show a few years back and walking on this type of sisal seagrass mats. They felt great. I'm guessing the backing had something to do with it too.

I know several of you have gone down this road and I thought I would see about recommendations / price, and how yours are holding up.

I'm not opposed to getting a roll and doing the cuts. I have my carpets as a guide.

400DA if anyone is interested...
synthesis boat in summer seagrass.jpg
 
I am on my 4th boat and "NO WAY" will I ever put carpet back in my boat.
When it gets wet, takes forever to dry. Stains easily, smells like a wet dog!

I purchase Luxury Woven Vinyl 2 years ago. Unreal! Used my carpets as a template. Cuts easily with a pair of scissors. Test fit, cut again for perfect fit! Took all the pieces to a local shop and had them bind the edges $100. Installed snaps on them where the carpet snaps were left on the boat.

Check out the selection. https://infinitylwv.com/

If my wife and I can do it, trust me you can!

I boat in Mass. So I don't know how well it will hold up in Florida climates....
 
If you’re talking about the removeable cockpit carpet in your picture, I installed it on my 410 Sundancer last year and it still looks new. Its easy to clean, dries quickly and you still have the benefit of being able to remove it when you want.
I just clean it when I wash the rest of the boat with the same soft brush and boat soap then rinse it just like I rinse the boat itself.
The one and only downside to it is that it gets very hot on bare feet in direct sunlight, but I’ve found it easy to work around that and a small price to pay for a great product.
I suppose you could use it as a runner in the cabin too if you want. I’ve got canvas for that purpose and the vinyl stuff would probably be a lot more money.
Mine is made by a forum sponsor and I placed the order through a regular poster here.
They cut it according to templates and bind the edges with sunbrella canvas.
Really nice workmanship.
 
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I have the Infinity woven vinyl. I agree with JVM225. Many advantages over carpet but it does get VERY hot in direct sunlight. I also find it to be slippery after it gets wet.
 
We opted for a high quality berber to replace our cockpit carpet in our 450 DA.

https://corinthianmarine.com/aquamat/

The way our cockpit is configured our carpet just doesn't get wet (we're not doing any lake boating and no young kids aboard who are swimming). We like to walk around with bare feet in the summer and I was concerned about the vinyl getting hot, plus my husband just prefers the berber. Since it has the updated backing (not that awful black stuff) I think we'll be good to go for as long as we own this boat.
 
We opted for a high quality berber to replace our cockpit carpet in our 450 DA.

https://corinthianmarine.com/aquamat/

The way our cockpit is configured our carpet just doesn't get wet (we're not doing any lake boating and no young kids aboard who are swimming). We like to walk around with bare feet in the summer and I was concerned about the vinyl getting hot, plus my husband just prefers the berber. Since it has the updated backing (not that awful black stuff) I think we'll be good to go for as long as we own this boat.

I got the same stuff 2-3 years ago. The better backing is huge. I considered some of the weave stuff, but my Admiral didn't care for it. I've found that the aquamat doesn't stay too wet from the kids swimming- dries much faster than the old carpet. I also had some cuts made so I can remove a section by the door so they don't drip on that one area.

I would suggest when making new cockpit flooring to use a template vs. old carpet. The old carpet can shrink; I compared my new carpet made from a template to my old carpet and there was significant difference.
 
I got the same stuff 2-3 years ago. The better backing is huge. I considered some of the weave stuff, but my Admiral didn't care for it. I've found that the aquamat doesn't stay too wet from the kids swimming- dries much faster than the old carpet. I also had some cuts made so I can remove a section by the door so they don't drip on that one area.

I would suggest when making new cockpit flooring to use a template vs. old carpet. The old carpet can shrink; I compared my new carpet made from a template to my old carpet and there was significant difference.

Good point. We decided to spend a little more and have an installer do the whole job. We replaced the carpet in our Chaparral using a template and it was off just enough that it was annoying but not enough to re-cut and have the edging redone. When ours is all done I'll post some pics.
 
Good point. We decided to spend a little more and have an installer do the whole job. We replaced the carpet in our Chaparral using a template and it was off just enough that it was annoying but not enough to re-cut and have the edging redone. When ours is all done I'll post some pics.

I did the template myself and spent a lot of time making sure it was right. My carpet fit perfectly according to the template. Better than the original, in fact.
 
Yep, I think I said sisal, but I think the product is vinyl to look like seagrass... I don't think it's a natural product...I'm concerned about the heat but it's not likely under to direct sunlight.

I wonder what's the best price. I might call a carpet place tomorrow and see if it's something they stock.
 
We went the Vinyl route as well. Went with the synthetic teak from Corinthian Marine(site sponsor) after one season it has held up find. We decided to add a few additional pieces as the SR standard pattern for our boat left a bit more glass showing then we liked...always felt unfinished. Cleaning it is a breeze, and yes, it does get a little hot in the summer, but we have worked around this as well. I don't think I will ever go back to carpet.
 
We did the Aquaweave from Corinthian and love it. Feels great on the feet, dries fast, easy to clean, and looks really sharp IMO. We took the boat out for the weekend this past weekend, and got several compliments on it at the marinas we stopped over at. As JVM stated, it does get hot in direct sun, but my comfy boat shoes solve that dilemma.

Pics in this thread: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/new-aqua-weave-carpet.87346/
 
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My carpets were shot as well, decided to go with the pcv teak install. Took them about 3 days to cut, install and seal. Looks like a million bucks now. Doesn't stain and cleans easily.
 
After my old boat’s carpet was a mess to clean and dry, we love just straight up non-skid fiberglass. Easy to clean, never gets hot, and costs $0! Granted, does not look as nice as the floorings mentioned above, but the easy cleanup, and the no heat on the feet (in Florida), makes it our favorite option.
 
If we're talking the cockpit and swim platform, I'm surprised no one has mentioned using SeaDek.
 
Why not do what I did? A couple of boats ago I got tired of picking up that black crap from the back of the carpets so I pulled them all out, tossed 'em in the trash and have lived happily ever after without carpets in the cockpit and flybridge.
 
Why not do what I did? A couple of boats ago I got tired of picking up that black crap from the back of the carpets so I pulled them all out, tossed 'em in the trash and have lived happily ever after without carpets in the cockpit and flybridge.

I see the appeal of a clean deck, but some folks want a bit of softness underfoot. That was my decision when I replaced the original berber with an upgraded version. No more black backing problems

My inlaws are shopping for new "carpet" right now, as they want some softness too. They are looking at the vinyl products because 11 swimming grandkids drip a lot of water on the deck.

My other consideration was if I took out the carpet I would be left with about 35 toe-catching, barefoot-hurting snap fasteners. I didn't feel like removing them and patching all the holes.
 
I see your point.... I pulled my carpet and I'm just on decking now and it's easy and nice. But, a bit difficult to keep clean. Also, I don't want to damage the deck.... No problem for temporary solution, but I just think the vinyl will protect / hold up well / look nice.... Don't mind paying, just want to make sure I'm paying a good price....
 
I see your point.... I pulled my carpet and I'm just on decking now and it's easy and nice. But, a bit difficult to keep clean. Also, I don't want to damage the deck.... No problem for temporary solution, but I just think the vinyl will protect / hold up well / look nice.... Don't mind paying, just want to make sure I'm paying a good price....
Several of us in the 40 Sedan Bridge thread put the Infinity luxury vinyl in our cockpit and bridge. Most of us just bought a roll of it and cut it to fit wall to wall. I just lay mine down. No glue or snaps. It doesn't move. I also replaced the stateroom and companionway carpet with it. Again, I just cut it wall to wall and lay it down. So much nicer and forgiving than carpet. Doesn't stain or mold. And so many patterns and colors to choose from.
 
The Corinthian product I got gave me the option of using Velcro to keep it down instead of installing snaps. My boat never had snap in carpet.
They put the Velcro circles (about 1 1/2” diameter) every few feet around the edges. I had it all last season and it never moved.
 

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