I've got a 25'fiberglass boat that needs a replacement of the old original cloth/foam hull covers. I'm thinking about using a close nap indoor/outdoor carpet but I'm concerned about condensation buildup. I'm looking for input from anyone who has done this and what there results were. All help is appreciated.
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Jack Tyler
Here are several options, Al
Al, I notice you're in Boston so I'm assuming that part of your concern is much like it is for those of us currently wintering in London aboard our boats: condensation and its consequences (mold, mildew) being delivered into the new covering, given the temp differential between the outside (and therefore the fiberglass hull laminate) and the (warm, heated) interior air in the cabin. Generally, contact cement is the poison of choice when doing this kind of attachment...but the 'catch' is that you'll need the surface dry (so you can't have the interior comfy and warm while it's cold ouside) but yet the working temp of the laminate has to be suitable for the contact cement. Ahhh...in other words, you'll need a warm(er) day or perhaps will need to wait until spring. If part of the laminate is below the water line, I'm guessing you'll have a temp incompatability problem. It sounds to me like you should consider attaching closed cell foam to the hull laminate first, and then overlaying with your covering of choice...or at least, that's what I'd suggest to the extent the area you are recovering is part of the living space and will be heated during the winter. Personally, I'd encourage you to look beyond indoor carpet choices. First, this is one of those projects that can - visually and functionally - either increase or decrease the value of the boat, and some folks will be turned off by indoor carpet. Second and from an aesthetic viewpoint, I think you can find more appealing materials that aren't that much more expensive and yet far lighter, which would help you when installing it. And finally, you might find a product that's treated against mold & mildew...or that you can treat yourself. Carpeting doesn't lend itself to this very well simply because we're talking a lot of surface area in those fibers. One last pointer: you don't indicate but perhaps part of the hull laminate lies beneath a berthing area. In that case, you'll have a warm body (with the warmth being contained by the blankets) interfaced with a cold air space just below the berth cushion, being cooled by the hull laminate and perhaps the water in which the boat sits. Water is 800X denser than air, remember. This is a guaranteed problem and you'll need to deal with the space under the bunk in some fashion, no matter if you have foam on the hull laminate or not. Just a thought, in case it's applicable... Hope that helps. Don't forget to post what you've learned when you've got the project wrapped up! Jack
Al, I notice you're in Boston so I'm assuming that part of your concern is much like it is for those of us currently wintering in London aboard our boats: condensation and its consequences (mold, mildew) being delivered into the new covering, given the temp differential between the outside (and therefore the fiberglass hull laminate) and the (warm, heated) interior air in the cabin. Generally, contact cement is the poison of choice when doing this kind of attachment...but the 'catch' is that you'll need the surface dry (so you can't have the interior comfy and warm while it's cold ouside) but yet the working temp of the laminate has to be suitable for the contact cement. Ahhh...in other words, you'll need a warm(er) day or perhaps will need to wait until spring. If part of the laminate is below the water line, I'm guessing you'll have a temp incompatability problem. It sounds to me like you should consider attaching closed cell foam to the hull laminate first, and then overlaying with your covering of choice...or at least, that's what I'd suggest to the extent the area you are recovering is part of the living space and will be heated during the winter. Personally, I'd encourage you to look beyond indoor carpet choices. First, this is one of those projects that can - visually and functionally - either increase or decrease the value of the boat, and some folks will be turned off by indoor carpet. Second and from an aesthetic viewpoint, I think you can find more appealing materials that aren't that much more expensive and yet far lighter, which would help you when installing it. And finally, you might find a product that's treated against mold & mildew...or that you can treat yourself. Carpeting doesn't lend itself to this very well simply because we're talking a lot of surface area in those fibers. One last pointer: you don't indicate but perhaps part of the hull laminate lies beneath a berthing area. In that case, you'll have a warm body (with the warmth being contained by the blankets) interfaced with a cold air space just below the berth cushion, being cooled by the hull laminate and perhaps the water in which the boat sits. Water is 800X denser than air, remember. This is a guaranteed problem and you'll need to deal with the space under the bunk in some fashion, no matter if you have foam on the hull laminate or not. Just a thought, in case it's applicable... Hope that helps. Don't forget to post what you've learned when you've got the project wrapped up! Jack
Redrum at West Marine
Your local store won't stock them, but they have a sample catalogue under the counter, you have to ask for it. They switched suppliers to Redrum Fabrics, and offer foam-backed ceiling and headliner vinyl, carpeting and and marine fabrics for other applications.
Your local store won't stock them, but they have a sample catalogue under the counter, you have to ask for it. They switched suppliers to Redrum Fabrics, and offer foam-backed ceiling and headliner vinyl, carpeting and and marine fabrics for other applications.
Live Aboard ?
Al did not say he was going to live aboard and heat his 25' sailboat. I don't see any reason to put foam on the hull sides. I put 100% Olefin outdoor carpet on my boat and it looks great and is stain resistant. I replaced carpet that did a good job for 25 years.
Al did not say he was going to live aboard and heat his 25' sailboat. I don't see any reason to put foam on the hull sides. I put 100% Olefin outdoor carpet on my boat and it looks great and is stain resistant. I replaced carpet that did a good job for 25 years.
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joe newman
just did mine
just did mine last week. i got some short nap indoor/outdoor carpet from home depot (gray). carpet was 12'x12' and cost $52.00. i used 2 gallons wilson art contact cement (carpet section at home depot), cost was $15.00 a gallon. i bought a large wallpaper utility knife and extra blades (breakaway tips are best)and some cheapo paint brushes at big lots for $3.00. then all you need is a tape measure and a straight edge, (i used a 4 ft level).1st: pull the old fabric off (the foam stayed on). 2: measure an area you want to cover. 3: cut a piece of carpet as close to your measurment as possible, (don't cut to small, this carpet will trim like wall paper when you stick it on). 4: paint contact cement on wall, then on carpet. wait a few min then stick the carpet on the wall, (can says 20 min, but i waited about 5). 5: trim out with a utility knife. i did my hunter 30 with the matierials listed. TIP: if you leave the foam on a chemical reaction between the contact cement and the foam will occur causing the foam to bubble in places. do not let this alarm you. take your blade and slash the bubbles, the stick a brush load of contact cement in the slash and up under the foam in that small area. don't worry about an uneven surface because of the bubbles. when it all dries it sucks back onto the hull and evens out. this is inexpensive, easy to do and my boat looks doggone great. have fun.
just did mine last week. i got some short nap indoor/outdoor carpet from home depot (gray). carpet was 12'x12' and cost $52.00. i used 2 gallons wilson art contact cement (carpet section at home depot), cost was $15.00 a gallon. i bought a large wallpaper utility knife and extra blades (breakaway tips are best)and some cheapo paint brushes at big lots for $3.00. then all you need is a tape measure and a straight edge, (i used a 4 ft level).1st: pull the old fabric off (the foam stayed on). 2: measure an area you want to cover. 3: cut a piece of carpet as close to your measurment as possible, (don't cut to small, this carpet will trim like wall paper when you stick it on). 4: paint contact cement on wall, then on carpet. wait a few min then stick the carpet on the wall, (can says 20 min, but i waited about 5). 5: trim out with a utility knife. i did my hunter 30 with the matierials listed. TIP: if you leave the foam on a chemical reaction between the contact cement and the foam will occur causing the foam to bubble in places. do not let this alarm you. take your blade and slash the bubbles, the stick a brush load of contact cement in the slash and up under the foam in that small area. don't worry about an uneven surface because of the bubbles. when it all dries it sucks back onto the hull and evens out. this is inexpensive, easy to do and my boat looks doggone great. have fun.
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Al
Thanks for the responses
Thanks to the guys who responded. I appreciate your input. I decided to go with the carpet option. I did some research and found some really great materials to avoid the mildew problem and have a very "upscale" look. Home Depot only had a couple of color choices (dark grey and vivid green) but I found a company that offers a wide assortment of colors.
Thanks to the guys who responded. I appreciate your input. I decided to go with the carpet option. I did some research and found some really great materials to avoid the mildew problem and have a very "upscale" look. Home Depot only had a couple of color choices (dark grey and vivid green) but I found a company that offers a wide assortment of colors.
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David
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Al
Carpet Source
Here's the company I found on the internet. http://www.georgiacarpet.com/indoor-outdoor-carpet.htm I sent them an email and told them what I was looking for and in a few days they sent me some samples. Their price was a little higher than Home Depot but the broader color selection was worth it. Good Luck.
Here's the company I found on the internet. http://www.georgiacarpet.com/indoor-outdoor-carpet.htm I sent them an email and told them what I was looking for and in a few days they sent me some samples. Their price was a little higher than Home Depot but the broader color selection was worth it. Good Luck.
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