Question on carpet

[Pairadice]

Has anybody here ever removed glued in carpet? I don't need to now, but I am curious as to what is under there. Is it finished glass or rough unpainted etc. I know the new models have the snap in and that is the route I would like to take when the time comes. How are the snaps attached to the deck? If somebody could could bring me up to speed I would appreciate it. Also the wife wants to buy some outdoor carpet and cut it to fit the inside of the boat and use it as a cover for the boats current carpet so as to protect it from getting abused when we're out with the dogs and other people who might not have the same outlook on keeping the boat clean. Is there a downside to this? I kind of feel that putting another carpet on top of the original carpet may be just as damaging as a few inconsiderate people.:huh:

 

[sbw1]

I replaced the carpet on a 30 Weekender. We bought the boat new and after 7-8 years just got tired of the color. The old carpet came out in tiny chunks about 4-6" in size and of various shapes. I think it may have taken me all day--a terrible job. Then I had to hand sand and vacuum up the debris that was stuck in the carpet glue--another 2-3 hours. The floor, to my surprise was plywood with a thin layer of fiberglass matting that was covered with clear resin. I put the new carpet in with a quick release carpet glue that worked just fine. Stay away from carpet over carpet. Make a pattern of your floor with paper and have some Sunbrella runners made for your new carpet. The snaps screw into the floor without any problem. Just make sure your separate the carpet pile prior to driving the snap screw so as to avoid putting a run in your new carpet. The Sunbrella can be thrown in the washer and laundered on a cold water delicate fabric cycle and comes out looking brand new.

 

[Marckmann]

I have placed custom cut carpet over the carpet in my cabin. I replace it every season. the custom cut carpet is very dirty at the end of the season. The carpet in the cabin stayed clean even with lots of 4 year olds hanging out in the cabin (lots of dropped snacks). I also used a light colored carpet. This lightened the cabin since the glued carpet is dark red.

 

[fwebster]

On current models Sea Ray glues the carpet down with something like Formica contact cement. I've seen it done on 2 recent late model boats and the carpet comes out in threads and pieces of backing about the size of a postage stamp. It is a horrible job that just trashes a boat's interior with the mess...delay this one as long as possible.

 

[Pairadice]

Thanks for the advice. That is kind of what I figured. I have no intentions of removing the carpet anytime soon. Now it is still in great condition. I like the idea of sunbrella runners over the carpet that can be removed at the end of the day. If I manufacture these, and make them with snaps, how are the snaps that screw into the deck sealed? by installing these, won't that allow water intrusion past the fiberglass. (I was under the impression that the 2003 models were all fiberglass without wood when I was reading the advertisment on the Sea Ray archive site) Is a sealent applied to the screws of the snaps prior to installation. Please someone enlighten me as to the procedure for installing a snap to the cockpit floor. Or any other location for that matter. Thanks in advance.
Royce

 

[sbw1]

Thanks for the advice. If I manufacture these, and make them with snaps, how are the snaps that screw into the deck sealed? by installing these, won't that allow water intrusion past the fiberglass. Royce

I never worried about the water intrusion into the floor since it was down below and didn't get wet. I did install some hardware in the cockpit floor that a drop curtain attached to. Used a little 3M silicone. On that boat (37 Express) the floor was solid glass and was not cored. I think it would have been fine without the sealant.

 

[Pairadice]

I never worried about the water intrusion into the floor since it was down below and didn't get wet. I did install some hardware in the cockpit floor that a drop curtain attached to. Used a little 3M silicone. On that boat (37 Express) the floor was solid glass and was not cored. I think it would have been fine without the sealant.

Mine certainly will get wet. I run only in saltwater and even if it dosent get wet while I'm out. It'll get very wet when I rinse her down once she's back on the trailer. I just don't want to create a bigger problem than I am trying to prevent.
Thanks

 

[rondds]

i recently had a bridge cover made for my boat (runs from the windshield to the back of the bridge overhang) and the installer took out all my existing screwed in male snaps, used the same holes and put all new snaps in. he put a drop of silicone on each thread before driving it in. i was very impressed with the attention to detail and i would highly recommend doing this with any snaps you drive into your boat, esp if they are subject to moisture. i've drilled a few holes (all above the waterline!) in my boat for various installations (flagpole mount, replace bowrail deck fitting) and i always coat the threads with marine grade silicone. it takes two seconds and makes very good sense.