New Carpet
- Thread starter GEM555
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A lot of people have made templates themselves, using paper or cardboard. They then take the template to a carpet store, select their carpet and have it made. If you go this route, have them bind the edges for that really custom look. Also, be sure to make a seperate cutout for the bilge cover so that you can get in for a look without having to take up the whole carpet.
Carpets are usually made in two or three pieces, and made to velcro together at the seams.
Carpets are usually made in two or three pieces, and made to velcro together at the seams.
I went to Lowes and bought 1 yd of 15' wide Berber. He threw in another 8" ffor good measure. My son-in-law measured out the length and added a few added a few inches. He then laid the whole oversized piece in the boat and with a sharp knife cut it into place. He did the whole thing in less than 20 minutes. There was enough to do the sole, quarter berth head shelves and stairs. Total cost, $30. Will post pictures tomorrow.
I once thought about adding carpet into my boat. I then considered the amount of moisture that is ever present in a boat. It seemed like it would be a good thing to absorb moisture and cause mildew/mold. Once I considered all of these factors I figured that I would keep the bare floor.
I may consider painting my floor someday but I am not sure what I would use that would look good and keep the grip on the floor.
I may consider painting my floor someday but I am not sure what I would use that would look good and keep the grip on the floor.
I get the Welcome-Aboard catalog and they have a great carpet selection for the Catalina 30 in varying colors, weights and types (berber, pile, etc). Their kits include a template set for exact fit. I have no affiliation with these folks, but they are worth checking out.
www.welcome-aboard.com
Bob
Mark II
www.welcome-aboard.com
Bob
Mark II
We did the same for our Pearson, except that we first made a template from butcher/craft paper and then cut the carpet from the template on the dock. It fit perfect and we kept the template in the event we decide to replace it again. Our sole was in really rough shape due to some old water damage, and we figured the carpet was a way to put off replacing/refinishing the sole. However, now that we've had carpet, I don't think we will go back. Much more comfortable on bare feet, no slipping, and nice to walk on when it is a cold morning. At the price we paid, it is basically a throw away and replace when it gets dirty. This is the fourth season, and we will probably cut a new one next year.
In farm stores like Tractor Supply, they sell a 3/4" thick rubber sheet, 4' x 6' called a horse stall mat. It is tuff as nails, impregnated with mold inhibitors and heavy, if you like the idea of a little more ballast.Bad Obsession said:
I have used this material as flooring in sailboats. Works well, solid, non slip, will not rot or soak up moisture. Once cut to fit, it looks like it belongs there, and looks good, if you like black.
Better than carpet
Four years ago I replaced the carpet with the Flexi Teak. The carpet always looked bad and moved on hte sole. I had it done at Kingman's in Cataumet - Red Brook Harbor. THey did a great job but cost over $3,000. I felt it was worth every penny since my 1995 now looks like a new boat.
BobCat
Four years ago I replaced the carpet with the Flexi Teak. The carpet always looked bad and moved on hte sole. I had it done at Kingman's in Cataumet - Red Brook Harbor. THey did a great job but cost over $3,000. I felt it was worth every penny since my 1995 now looks like a new boat.
BobCat
I replaced the carpet in my 1995 5 years ago with Flexi Teak. The flooring i exactly what Catalina uses in all their boats today. It is great. I suggest that you make the investment and it makes your boat look like a new Catalina. It cost over $3,000 but worth every $$$. It is easy to clean, doesn't stain and you don't have to put up with the moving carpet and dirt and water.
BobCat
BobCat
Well, I'm about to do it again. Just before the trip to Catalina I pulled the carpet out because it needed cleaning. I took it to the car was and hung it on the car mat hangers and hit it with the wand set to soap and then rinsed. In less than 5 minutes the job was done and it looked great. The carpet had been wet several time by salt water. I think its coming in from the rails. When I bury the rail is the only time it find water in the bilge. If someone bumps the bilge switch and the boat heal the sole gets flooded. The carpet has always dried out completely and fairly quickly. When I removed it there was no smell or signs of mold or mildew.
Anyway I put it back in and the Admiral loved it. It really did look like new.
Then on the way back from Catalina I got a little too much heel an everything on the counter ended up on the floor. I looked down from the cockpit and saw an unbroken bottle of tequila and bottle of Irish cream. What I did not not notice was the the cap to the Irish cream had come off. The bottle rolled around on the floor for a couple of hours until the wind settled down and I went below to clean up. That's when I found the 2/3 empty bottle of Irish cream . It soaked the carpet. I dreaded it the moment I saw it because it reminded me of the time I spilled a malt in my very first car an old Renault. It smelled horrible for years. I could never get that smell out of it.
I pulled the boat carpet and washed it again and it still smelled. I washed it again scribbled it with a scrub brush and tide. It dried today but I can still smell a hint of the rancid cream. I don't think I will be able to get the smell out so I will have to go down to Lowe's and buy more carpet. It's a shame because it still looks like new.
This time I will use the old carpet as template.
The backing in spite of three washings is still as stiff as the day I bought it. It lays in the sole with no need for snaps. The walls of the salon holes it in place.
I used the original Catalina carpet in my Cat 30 2000 MKIII as a pattern to put in my original wall to wall carpet. I went to a carpet remnant store and bought a plush carpet for $50. Once I trimmed the carpet, it was a perfect fit. It is also a single piece with no seams. Every year or two as the carpet gets dirty I go back to the remnant store and buy a new piece and use the existing carpet as a template to cut the new carpet. I have this process down to less than 30 minutes for my carpet replacement. Check out the pictures to see how well this method works. http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/album.php?albumid=23
If you buy carpet at a remnat store make sure you get an olefin or nylon fiber as they will not mildew. Ask the carpet salesman what he has in stock that will hold up in a marine environement.
If you buy carpet at a remnat store make sure you get an olefin or nylon fiber as they will not mildew. Ask the carpet salesman what he has in stock that will hold up in a marine environement.
pmirenda thanks for the pictures. Great looking Catalina 30. May be the best one I have ever seen.
"I think we're going to need a bigger sink!"Frank, they invented galley sinks on boats to avoid dropping Irish Creame all over the place!
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