Cockpit Carpet and Kids......

Craigalan

Craigalan

New Member
Sep 15, 2014
428
Great Lakes
Boat Info
2000 Sundancer 270 with all the fixins...
Engines
Merc 7.4, 310 horses
Hi Folks,

This will be our first season in our 270DA. For those with young kids...what has been your experience with the cockpit carpet? Leave it in, or take it out? For those who leave it in, how well does it clean up with spills and such? Currently, the carpet is in quite nice shape.
 
I replaced mine new at the start of last season and I've got two boys, 10 yo and 4 yo. It was the adults with red wine and cocktail meatballs I had to watch out for. Amazingly everything cleaned up nicely. At the end of the season I pulled them out and had them clean and they look new again. The problem going without them is stubbing your toes on the snap studs screwed into the cockpit decking.
 
I went without on one of my first boats and my wife slipped and broke her wrist. I suggest you keep the carpets in and get them cleaned each year followed by a good dosing of scotch guard. It is amazing how much abuse these carpets can take.
 
When I leave mine out the "non skid" surface becomes real slick with wet feet.
 
We always left our carpet in when the kids were growing up. They are gone. Those kids did nothing compared to my wife and her friends spilling red wine on the boat. However, when it happens we get the cockpit washdown hose out, rinse it off, and the women are gone we hang to carpet to dry.
 
Leave it in and enjoy it, that's why you have it. Like the old saying goes, "what are you saving it for, the next guy?".
 
Great feedback, CSR. Thank you! We will leave it in. So, this stuff is hardy enough that you are hosing it down and scrubbing, if needed. As for your end-of-season deep clean...are we talking dry cleaner, steam cleaners, or hose and scrub brush with elbow grease? Im sure any of these regiments will work, but anyone have a specific routine they like?
 
I have an upright Bissell carpet cleaning machine. I use it 3x a season, with the hand tool. I'm on my second machine in 8 years, first one lasted 7. About $180, and useful in house and for carpeted floor mats. Between cleanings, I've used foam cleaner and a damp rag.
 
I typically coincide my carpet cleaning with the house cleaning done by the professionals. Last year I think I paid an extra $50 to clean and scotch guard all the cockpit carpits on my 460!
 
Ahhh, I noticed that when I unsnapped that carpet before winter storage, there was a black imprint left on the non-skid. It washed off no problem, but you are saying that was from previous owner leaving wet carpet in cockpit.
 
BAM! Great one. I love the 303 on the vinyl seats. Spraying on back of carpet, I like it. Thanks. Noted and logged.
 
I'm very happy with the Corinthian carpet I have. I lightly pressure wash it maybe 5-6 times a season and we have a Bissell cleaner I use on it maybe twice. This spring we'll be coming up on our 4th season and It still looks fantastic. Their backing is really great and hasn't show any wear, even with all the cleanings.
 
Ours is original. Last summer, I lightly sprayed it with simple green and put the pressure washer on the fan setting and lowest pressure and washed until all of the soap suds were gone. Hung it over the fence to dry. It looked and felt brand new. I do my best not to let it get soaked from rain. If it does, I always take it out and let it dry. When we leave the lake if there is a chance of rain, I take it out and put it in the cabin. Water from swimming, etc. has not affected it. No black backing has come off yet. It does take considerable time to dry if it gets soaked.

Bennett
 
Nehalennia said:
I'm very happy with the Corinthian carpet I have. I lightly pressure wash it maybe 5-6 times a season and we have a Bissell cleaner I use on it maybe twice. This spring we'll be coming up on our 4th season and It still looks fantastic. Their backing is really great and hasn't show any wear, even with all the cleanings.
Click to expand...

I really like the blue carpet. If we replace ours, that is the color I'll go with.
 
We prohibit red drinks in the boat (and the cars for that matter, after learning the hard way). Gatorade makes a clear version of some of their beverages, and that has been great for the kids to have access to something besides soda. Ice tea, diet Coke, etc., seem to wash out easily. In addition to slippery, the floors get hot without carpet, and stepping on the exposed snaps is no fun.
 
Yes, that blue carpet does look nice. Is it heavy duty like the factory sea ray carpet material? How does it compare? And, if I may, can you ballpark the replacement cost?
 
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