Thoughts on putting snap-in carpet on the swim platform

copb8tx

copb8tx

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Jan 26, 2008
2,836
Highland Village, TX/Port Richey, FL
Boat Info
SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
Engines
2018 Sea Hunt 255se w/Yamaha 300hp
After seeing Camella's post about new cockpit carpet, we've decided to do the same using the synthetic weave #3.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/62527-New-Cockpit-Carpert-48-Sundancer

At the same time I'm considering having it made for the swim platform and transom door way. The boat is in a covered slip that has an outdoor kitchen built on it so we're constantly on an off the boat and tracking dirty foot prints on the platform. The carpet would hide it the footprints and give a little more grip.

I've created templates of the pieces I need and will be getting a quote. One of my hesitations is putting snaps into the platform. I'd silicon them up really well when I installed them but it's still a hole in the surface.

Thoughts?

Transom Carpet Template.jpg
 
Great idea - especailly in your circumstances (covered slip etc.). I'd consider using one piece of carpet for the platform as opposed to four. There will be far fewer snaps to drill throught the platform and fewer tripping points between the pieces. Since you're in a covered slip, leaving the molded drainage channels uncovered seems unnecessary. My $0.02.
 
To many other products on the market made for platforms,
http://www.flexiteek.com

Now, let's see some pics of the dock and outdoor kitchen! That sounds awesome!



Sent from my crappy iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I would say carpet for the cockpit and Nuteak or Flexiteek for the swimplatform. This is what I was thinking for my boat, only issue is it gets hot. But so will the carpet but you can take that off if needed.
 
Dock neighbor did carpet on his platform and it looked like cr@p in short order. Another friend used Sea-Dek. http://www.seadek.com/. Wears well, looks good, and is cool to the touch even in the sun. Islandhopper00 uses it. You PM him for a review.
 
I used a single carpet piece on my swim platform. Didn't even install snaps and
never lost it. Looks good after 3 year round seasons. (I am in a covered slip also )
 
I would vote for a single piece - doesn't even have to cover the whole platform - just the main entry area. Just lay it down, without snaps (although that's not because I'd be worried about the holes). Roll it up and stow it or leave it on the dock when you pull out. I would even lean towards using something you can buy at a store in a pre-made (rectangular) shape. Keep it simple. Use it as a "welcome mat" to wipe feet and replace as needed. As nice as it would look the way you have it laid out, I think it's more "form" than "function" and you might get tired of the cleaning.
 
Last edited:
Where CAMELLA and I boat, there is a lot of silt mixed up in the water by mid-spring. I intially took the carpets out of my cockpit whenever anyone was swimming because the silt / brackish salt ended up leaving marks in the carpet (light color) once the water evaporated. After the hassle of dealing with taking the carpet in/out a few times, it has been rolled up in the garage waiting for the next owner whenever I sell the boat. It's just too easy to wash the deck/nonskid down with a bucket or hose and clean it. Gets rid of any silt / wet feet marks and also any snack crumbs left behind by guests etc. I will admit the carpet does look more finished than the deck/nonskid with unused snaps.

I cannot imagine how carpet on my platform would work because the platform gets a bath from the stern wave whenever I come off plane, and a fair amount of splash when getting up on plane. My guess is that it would be continually wet, start smelling funky, and look stained. On other boats, the extended platform may sit higher, but I dont think it would work in my situation.

I do keep a small boarding mat on the boat to catch wet feet / dirty shoes. If its a place where boarding from the platform is convenient, it goes on the platform. Otherwise it sits just inside the cockpit door, on the dock next to the gunwhale for cockpit side entry, or on the deck for side entry if it would be in the way on the dock.

Just my .02 FWIW.

James
 
Last edited:
Just as an update. When I had my boat I kept a door mat on the dock and a towel on the platform through the companion way. Kept everything pretty clean. Admiral actually like it better with out the carpet. easier to clean the dog fur.
 
Thanks all. Many great ideas and suggestions.

I love the flexi-teak options but they all get HOT in Texas. My friend has it and it looks absolutely beautiful but he's having to constantly splash water on it just to able to stand on it. Just not practical for me.

I really like the idea of one piece and having far few snaps. Of course this does mean the almost 2 hours of tracing, cutting and fitting I did is all for naught! :)

Finally, same place that does the cockpit carpets also does mats with the Sea Ray logo sewn in. Maybe that's the best way to go. My old SR mat was heavy and never blew away, even in the highest wind. I'm wondering how theirs will do.

Dock kitchen is going through a remodel with new cabinets, counters, appliances and lights. Should be done in another few weeks. Nothing too fancy but is very useful. I'll post some pics then.
 
Last edited:
The bare swim platform is gonna be much easier to hose off if it is that big of a deal a rubber backed shower mat would be my approach. I seriously considered carpet but opted for the bath mat or runner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Are you planning on unsnapping it when you leave the dock? It's going to get wet while underway, which would defeat the purpose of the carpet keeping the cockpit clean/dry. I'd hate to have to pull it up every time I went out for a spin. I like the idea of a simple "doormat" but you know you'll forget to bring it in!

I'm not in a covered slip. Built a boarding plank and covered it with I/O carpet. Makes for a good 7' doormat. Also have a removable mat just inside the transom door to protect the cockpit carpeting there.

100_3926_zps54738321.jpg
 
HA HA. Good one Joe!
 
Seadek is something I keep kicking around. Flexiteek is too hot, way too hot! There was a new product at the Miami show that I will try and find the info on and share when I do.
 
Not sure if you guys caught it but he's doing the marine weave "carpet" which is nothing like carpet and definitely nothing like the black rubber backed original cockpit carpets. It can get wet, dirty, soaked, and dry in a meter of minutes not to mention cleaned with boat soap and water, just like your deck.

I personally want the stuff everywhere I can.
 
When I redid the cockpit carpets last year I made template for the swim platform and cut a piece for it. We love it. I sewed-in a couple of straps on the bottom side and using velcro on the 4 ends to keep the carpet tightly rolled-up when not in use. Looks great and keeps the boat clean. I did it myself and was not pleased with the hot glue technique I used to bind the inside corners which are very hard to sew. I plan on taking all the binding off and giving it to a carpet guy to do that part over using a binding machine.
 
We put DECKadence on our platform last season. You can hose it off, remove it, clean underneath and water just passes through. The best part though is it doesn't hold the sun's heat. Great stuff!

check it out on our local guy's site: http://www.kpcarpetmatting.ca/deckadencemarineflooring.html

Mark
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,120
Messages
1,426,612
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top