Carpet or wood?

Gail R · Aug 4, 2009

Congrats on the purchase of your S2!

There's a reason the PO pulled the carpet. Do not re-create the same problem by replacing it with more carpet, which will grow mold and mildew just like the old stuff did. I love S2s, but I cannot figure out for the life of me what they were thinking putting that stuff in there.

You can finish the interior off with epoxy paint, or if you want to dress it up some, your buddy might be able to do something with wood.

capejt · Aug 4, 2009

First of all, welcome to our little "club"
I agree with Gail. While carpet feels nice on bare feet when it's dry, it's rather miserable when it gets wet. Not to mention the open invitation to mold and that kind of malady. When working for a charter company, we had a boat that was carpeted and had a leaky shaft log. The boat took on a lot of water (didn't sink) and it took a week of sunny days to dry it out spread on on deck.
I understand your concern combining wood and dogs, although it does add a bit of "warmth" below decks.
My vote would be for a traditional teak/holly floor, and paint the walls.

Bob V · Aug 4, 2009

Wood floor with removable throw rugs

I agree with those who advised you to get rid of the carpet. But if you travel with dogs they will not have good traction on your wood floor or the fiberglass in the cockpit. I travel with two large dogs and have a good collection of rubber backed throw rugs. It works great to provide traction for the dogs and protection from the dogs and feels good under bare feet.

When I am at anchor and using the dinghy for shore leave there is also a throw rug on the floor of the dinghy.

Eddie7045 · Aug 4, 2009

Put in a wood floor and you can then use

inexpensive carpet runners with rubberiszed backs which can be cleaned, aired out or relaced easily.

kendall · Aug 4, 2009

I'm going with the majority. Better to stay away from permanant carpet. If you want carpet, it's better to go with something you can easily remove to clean and dry.

Rubber backed as mentioned, simply cut to shape and drop it in place. Placing snaps along the edges, or velcro strips/dots to hold it in place will make it stable, but easy to remove. Problem with the rubber back is that it does break down in time. With all carpet you can have the edges piped fairly cheap for a finished look.

Wood is sometimes easier if you prefer, but does require maintenance, and is almost as bad as carpet if it's not allowed to breathe.

Ken.

Steve Dion · Aug 4, 2009

Before you jump to wood, think about some of the new composite products that most of the new boats are using. With the pups aboard, this stuff is great. Looks good and is very durable.

This is just one of the products available.

http://plasteak.com/osc/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=4ae35b483ac2c1de5176aeb0040735f7

Bad Obsession · Aug 5, 2009

I agree about doing away with the carpet. The carpet will get wet from a variety of sources (it is impossible to keep water out of a boat). Once it is wet it will be an open invite for all kinds of wonderful mold, mildew, and boat oders.

Cruising with a dog would be tough. My pooch stays home. It isn't that she can't handle it or she doesn't love the water (she is a lab and would love it), it is just that hauling a 60 pound dog up and down the cabin steps, getting them on and off of the boat, having to constantly go onto shore, and other issues makes it seem like much more work than it is worth. Knowing my dog, she would jump overboard at some point in time and it would be a job to get her back into the boat.

Just some things to consider there......dog sitters are a good thing

Dave D · Aug 5, 2009

I recently replaced the nappy felt-like material on my walls with a gray indoor/outdoor carpet. It was an easy job and looks great.

As far as your floor, I second the suggestion to try a "wood alternative" and would also like to throw out that you cold probably find a throw rug or two to add to the boat when pooch is with you. then if (when) they get wet, you can hang them to dry and take them to the house for a good washing and dry every so often. There are several grip-tape options that work quite well to keep things from sliding and bunching.

Gail R · Aug 5, 2009

SantaCruzS2 said:
I hadnt thought about pulling the carpet off of the walls and then painting them. What can be done to make the boat, warmer? Actual keeping heat inside the cabin?

Warmer as in temperature (as opposed to aesthetics)? You're in California! How warm do you need to make it?

We cruise on a Pearson 30 in Maine, where the weather can suck and the black flies are thick. Lows at night in the summer are generally 50s to 60s. This summer has been even cooler and damper than usual. The only carpet on board is a cheap $15 "Polynaise" fake oriental job I bought at from Wally World 15 years ago, with a piece of rubber non-skid underneath so it doesn't slide around. We do not have heat on the boat, and generally, it stays plenty warm enough below. If it gets chilly, we put on a fleece pullover. The closest thing we've had to a heater is a ceramic flower pot we heat on the alcohol stove.

A friend of mine has a larger S2 and he pulled every shred of the carpet out and painted with epoxy. Way easier to keep the boat clean and mildew- and odor-free that way. Keep in mind that mildew is not only unsightly, it is an allergen that can make people feel downright miserable. Some mildews are considered toxic. Entire schools have been torn down due to mildew problems (which begs the question why they put carpet in schools).

The only carpet you want on board is a peice that can be easily removed and cleaned periodically.

Tricia · Aug 5, 2009

I bought a piece of rubber-backed carpet runner cut to the length I needed in the boat and bound the ends. Keeps pooch happy and protects floor. Watch for spills though, as they can go through the carpet, then the rubber backing holds the liquid on the floor and it can be tough on the finish.

sailaway78 · Aug 5, 2009

Carpet

Some of the marine backed carpet is pretty good, and will work. However as others have stated, the mold and mildew can create problems. If you like the carpet, and it is nice for animals, I would suggest just cutting it to fit, and loose laying it. Then you can simply pull it out of the boat, wash it and put it back. This will not work on carpets that do not have the marine backing, which also happens to be pretty slip resistant.

kendall · Aug 5, 2009

Gail R said:
Entire schools have been torn down due to mildew problems (which begs the question why they put carpet in schools).

The only carpet you want on board is a peice that can be easily removed and cleaned periodically.

New construction uses carpeting because it is cheaper to carpet than to finish otherwise.
Carpet can be installed over rough subfloors and will hide imperfections as large as 1/4 inch, and make 1/2 inch differences so most people won't notice. If the subsurface can be left raw, it saves in labor costs.

I've spent a few days pulling glued down carpet out of the interior of boats, and found that it is a NASTY job, best accomplished with a mask. Carpet that can be easily removed for cleaning stays looking better and will always smell better. (if it IS cleaned regularly)

I prefer a wood sole though.
Ken.

Capt. Kermie · Aug 6, 2009

Home Depot sells a good quality rubber backed indoor/outdoor carpet selection that will do just fine. You can cut it to custom fit and if it gets wet you simply lift it out to dry but I believe it is made of a water repelling fiber anyway so it is not likely to mold imediately after getting wet. I got my replacement carpeting there and after three or four years it is still good as new.

Paul F · Aug 6, 2009

Take a look at Armstrong Allure waterproof flooring, found at Home Depot and other places. It comes in teak, cherry and other wood look a likes. It seems easy to install without glue. Also for the walls, a few years ago bamboo wood was used to replace the wall carpet. It took a bit of work but worth the effort. Here is the link.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...7&cat_id=28&aid=6232&page=article&mn=33_77-83
and the Allure flooring.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/hard-flooring/trafficmaster-allure-vinyl-flooring-019078

Dan H · Aug 7, 2009

I plan on making two carpets for my boat and make them both easily removable. One will be drying while the other is in service.
What's worse, sanding and varnishing a wood cabin sole or cleaning the carpet?

Stephen K · Aug 7, 2009

Hey Paul,

Nice work with the tongue and groove bamboo! The Allure flooring looks very interesting for the cabin sole...did you do that project as well ? If so, are you happy with the product and the result? any pictures?...or any others with experience with this product?

It appears that this product would be a nice "upgrade" from the white fiberglass sole. It would also be easier for an individual to install vs. the full size sheet laminate. I'm not afraid to cut a strip of wood wrong, but miss-cutting a full sheet could get awfully expensive.

Paul F · Aug 7, 2009

Hey Stephen, agree with you the Allure looks to be easy to install. I got the idea from a friend who has a similar floor in his kitchen. The wood grain is raised and it should be naturally non-skid. I like the idea of no glue as everything on a boat is better if it can be removed easily. Have not put this on the boat as my wood sole is in good shape. If I did because the Allure is not thick, I might try and put it directly over the old wood without removing it.