I am looking to install carpeting in the cockpit area of my 340. Has anyone had experince with this type of project? Snaps (like the ones that hold the cushions in place) seem to be the way to go, but I'm leary about any leaking that may occur. Are there any companies that make fitted carpeting for Hunters? Thanks
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Carpet
Never have seen carpet in a cockpit but when I think about it, wht not? The new indoor/outdoor carpet seems to work well outside, around pools etc. Probably better than those plastic squares I have seen and teak grating is way too expensive. Be curious as to what others say.
Never have seen carpet in a cockpit but when I think about it, wht not? The new indoor/outdoor carpet seems to work well outside, around pools etc. Probably better than those plastic squares I have seen and teak grating is way too expensive. Be curious as to what others say.
It's common on powerboats, but...
I wouldn't have it as a gift. Yes, it's softer on the feet...but the same amount of dirt and grime you have to scrub off the gelcoat gets ground into it...an incredible amount of dirt and grime get trapped under it and ground into the gelcoat...and stain resistant isn't synomymous with stain-proof. There's also an issue on sailboats that doesn't exist on most powerboats--most powerboat cockpits stay reasonably dry except when it rains...heeling and a couple of feet of sea keep most sailboat cockpits wet on bright sunny days. So even if you take it up when you put the boat away, where do you store a wet soggy carpet where it can dry without raising the humidity and causing mildew problems on everything else? And, oh...btw...when the carpet isn't down, those snaps installed in the cockpit sole become real toe stubbers! IMO, cockpit carpet only creates as many problems as it solves.
I wouldn't have it as a gift. Yes, it's softer on the feet...but the same amount of dirt and grime you have to scrub off the gelcoat gets ground into it...an incredible amount of dirt and grime get trapped under it and ground into the gelcoat...and stain resistant isn't synomymous with stain-proof. There's also an issue on sailboats that doesn't exist on most powerboats--most powerboat cockpits stay reasonably dry except when it rains...heeling and a couple of feet of sea keep most sailboat cockpits wet on bright sunny days. So even if you take it up when you put the boat away, where do you store a wet soggy carpet where it can dry without raising the humidity and causing mildew problems on everything else? And, oh...btw...when the carpet isn't down, those snaps installed in the cockpit sole become real toe stubbers! IMO, cockpit carpet only creates as many problems as it solves.
Why?
Nichole: Why do you want carpet in the cockpit? This may make some difference in the type of responses that you are getting. I have to agree that it is going to very nasty quickly. I know friends with power boats that have this but as the others have replied, powerboats stay fairly dry. Have you considered a cockpit grate?
Nichole: Why do you want carpet in the cockpit? This may make some difference in the type of responses that you are getting. I have to agree that it is going to very nasty quickly. I know friends with power boats that have this but as the others have replied, powerboats stay fairly dry. Have you considered a cockpit grate?
How about Dri-Dek
I just put Dri-Dek in my cockpit. Water still drains underneath it and it looks good. I have to agree with Peggie on the carpet.
I just put Dri-Dek in my cockpit. Water still drains underneath it and it looks good. I have to agree with Peggie on the carpet.
Dri-Dek "Second"
As Pete pointed out, Dri-Dek works really well. My wife bought some Dri-Dek squares and put some in the cockpit a couple years ago. There are several advantages: 1. One doesn't track near as much dirt, sand, grit, or water into the cabin. At the end of a couple days there is a lot of dirt under the squares that can be swept up or washed out. 2. The traction is good. The main disadvantage is it can slip on the cockpit deck when the boat is heeled significantly. A fix for this problem could be to make a frame out of small stainless rod for the perimeter and attach the dri-dek to it with stainless tie-wire. This is on my honey-do list.
As Pete pointed out, Dri-Dek works really well. My wife bought some Dri-Dek squares and put some in the cockpit a couple years ago. There are several advantages: 1. One doesn't track near as much dirt, sand, grit, or water into the cabin. At the end of a couple days there is a lot of dirt under the squares that can be swept up or washed out. 2. The traction is good. The main disadvantage is it can slip on the cockpit deck when the boat is heeled significantly. A fix for this problem could be to make a frame out of small stainless rod for the perimeter and attach the dri-dek to it with stainless tie-wire. This is on my honey-do list.
We enjoy our carpet !
We have used carpet in our cockpit for about seven years now and love it! We do every thing possible to keep it dry and clean and stow the three sections below under a bunk. We rarely sail with it out in rough water and the rubber backing keeps it in place. It's great when anchored of sitting around in a marina. There's a reason most powerboats have it . . . it just feels good and looks nice, I say give it a try! ( my wife loves it!!!) Charles & Lynn "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
We have used carpet in our cockpit for about seven years now and love it! We do every thing possible to keep it dry and clean and stow the three sections below under a bunk. We rarely sail with it out in rough water and the rubber backing keeps it in place. It's great when anchored of sitting around in a marina. There's a reason most powerboats have it . . . it just feels good and looks nice, I say give it a try! ( my wife loves it!!!) Charles & Lynn "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
Carpet Too
Since we live aboard and use the cockpit all the time plus entertain there as well, we started using carpet in our cockpit about three years ago and like the look and feel. We get the outdoor carpet from Home Depot and cut it to fit in a fore section and two aft sections. We use the scape pieces as entry mats. Like Charles, we do every thing possible to keep it dry and clean. We have a full dodger and Bimini which helps. We stow the 3 sections in the dock locker when we go cruising. We leave it the cockpit for day sails on the bay. We replace it about once a year since it gets so much use for about $30. We like it but if we did not live aboard I don't think we would have it. It a lot of trouble like Peggie says.
Since we live aboard and use the cockpit all the time plus entertain there as well, we started using carpet in our cockpit about three years ago and like the look and feel. We get the outdoor carpet from Home Depot and cut it to fit in a fore section and two aft sections. We use the scape pieces as entry mats. Like Charles, we do every thing possible to keep it dry and clean. We have a full dodger and Bimini which helps. We stow the 3 sections in the dock locker when we go cruising. We leave it the cockpit for day sails on the bay. We replace it about once a year since it gets so much use for about $30. We like it but if we did not live aboard I don't think we would have it. It a lot of trouble like Peggie says.
Carpet for your kids
We sail the Carribbean on our Hunter 40.5 with our 12mo old, 4 year old and lots of other family that is just learning how to walk. Our cockpit after swimming becomes extremely slippery and I have watched our kids wipe out too many times when they hit a slick spot cruising around the cockpit. Living in the Carribbean we swim 365 days a year so the swim ladder and transom shower are always getting used. We also got our outdoor carpet with nonskid backing for (I think) less then 50 cents a square foot at home depot. Lots of nice colors and textures to choose from. I cut the carpet with trauma shears (big sissors) and it keeps the kids on their feet. We go to the beach every stop, and the carpet keeps the cockpit from getting grimmey with sand (hides it very well), hides our dogs hair, hides the food the kids drop, keeps me from having to rinse down the cockpit with water twice a day. Even though it sounds gross our kids love to sleep on it in the midafternoon in the shade of the bimini or on passages to the BVI. After all the sand and the textured deck ripping up your feet, it feels nice on your feet in the cockpit. Back at port, I lift it out, spray it off on the dock with a hose (it is amazing how clean it becomes - our carpet sees serious action), let it dry in the sun and put it back in place. We haven't needed to replace ours yet, but it would be easy enough and not too expensive (it doesn't take much). We swear by it. If you have young kids on your boat, it is a must have. We also put the leftover pieces at the foot of the stairs to avoid wipeouts there too. Our boat is a kid swim platform with sails and the carpet is great.
We sail the Carribbean on our Hunter 40.5 with our 12mo old, 4 year old and lots of other family that is just learning how to walk. Our cockpit after swimming becomes extremely slippery and I have watched our kids wipe out too many times when they hit a slick spot cruising around the cockpit. Living in the Carribbean we swim 365 days a year so the swim ladder and transom shower are always getting used. We also got our outdoor carpet with nonskid backing for (I think) less then 50 cents a square foot at home depot. Lots of nice colors and textures to choose from. I cut the carpet with trauma shears (big sissors) and it keeps the kids on their feet. We go to the beach every stop, and the carpet keeps the cockpit from getting grimmey with sand (hides it very well), hides our dogs hair, hides the food the kids drop, keeps me from having to rinse down the cockpit with water twice a day. Even though it sounds gross our kids love to sleep on it in the midafternoon in the shade of the bimini or on passages to the BVI. After all the sand and the textured deck ripping up your feet, it feels nice on your feet in the cockpit. Back at port, I lift it out, spray it off on the dock with a hose (it is amazing how clean it becomes - our carpet sees serious action), let it dry in the sun and put it back in place. We haven't needed to replace ours yet, but it would be easy enough and not too expensive (it doesn't take much). We swear by it. If you have young kids on your boat, it is a must have. We also put the leftover pieces at the foot of the stairs to avoid wipeouts there too. Our boat is a kid swim platform with sails and the carpet is great.
We Also Have Carpet In Our 40.5 Cockpit
..in two sections so that the aft part can be removed and stowed for coastal sailing. We spend a lot of time in Catalina Island. The boat gets pretty sandy and dusty without the carpet. It just keeps it much cleaner. Also Home Depot sourced, but cut to a pattern and edged. Rick D.
..in two sections so that the aft part can be removed and stowed for coastal sailing. We spend a lot of time in Catalina Island. The boat gets pretty sandy and dusty without the carpet. It just keeps it much cleaner. Also Home Depot sourced, but cut to a pattern and edged. Rick D.
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