Introduction
Carpet is a good pontoon boat flooring option an owner can add to their vessel. Carpet adds a touch of class, but also protects the vessel. Pontoon boat carpets come in various colors, textures, and designs to fit every individual’s preference. The water and UV-resistant properties of high-quality pontoon boat carpets provide durability while maintaining the underneath decking.
Unlike outdoor carpets, carpets made for pontoon boats have a tighter weave. There also have a higher face weight which makes them ideal for marine conditions. However, before buying carpet for your pontoon boat, it is crucial to know the different types, features, pros, and cons.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Pontoon Boat Carpet
The best carpet to use on a pontoon boat is marine carpet. Marine carpets are specifically designed to withstand the elements. They are UV resistant and saltwater tolerant. With the myriad of marine carpets on the market, it is essential to consider a few factors before purchasing.
Material
Before buying pontoon boat carpet, it is essential to check the material. The material indicates the carpet’s durability, style, and price. The standard material used for marine carpets is durable propylene. However, some use polyester yarns, which shed and deteriorate faster than propylene.
Durability
The carpet’s durability is an essential factor to consider. The carpet should be UV, water, and stain-resistant. Also, the carpet should not fray after cutting as this will cause the threads to unravel, which will weaken its structural integrity.
Ease Of Installation
It is also vital to pick a carpet that can be installed easily. The carpet should be easy to cut and also fit the contours of the boat. For this, the manufacturer should provide an instructional manual.
Color And Style
The buyer should pick a carpet that matches the aesthetic design of their boat. Marine carpets come in a variety of designs. Hence it should be easy to find one that fits the boat’s decor.
Types Of Pontoon Boat Carpets
Before buying a marine grade carpet, it is best to know the two main types of carpet.
Cut Pile Carpet
Cut pile carpet has looped fibers cut in half. This means that only the ends connect to the backing. The fibers are looser and longer, which makes them gentler on the feet. This type of carpet is more appropriate for runabouts and fishing style boats.
Loop Pile Carpet
The fibers of a loop pile carpet are looped in form, which creates a firm surface. It has high durability allowing it to withstand heavy traffic. However, be aware that this type of carpet is easy to snag by sharp objects.
Features Of Pontoon Boat Carpet
When shopping for pontoon boat carpet, it helps when the buyer knows exactly what to look for in a marine carpet. As previously stated, marine carpets are made differently. However, they all have some general features.
Made From Propylene Or Polyester
As for fiber material, marine carpets are made from propylene or polyester. Most manufacturers prefer to use propylene due to its affordability and features. Also, propylene resists mildew, mold, water, stains, damage, and shedding.
High Face Weight
A carpet’s face weight is the weight of the carpet pile per square yard in ounces. One can calculate the face weight using the pile height, gauge, and stitch rate. Marine carpets have higher face weight than regular carpets. However, some marine carpets have a higher face weight than others. As a rule of thumb, always check the face weight before buying as it signifies the carpet’s durability.
Lightweight Or Heavyweight Backing
The backing of a carpet serves as its backbone. Depending on the application, marine carpets have a lightweight or heavyweight backing. Marine carpets with lightweight backing use an adhesive to attach to the boat’s decking. In contrast, marine carpets with heavyweight backing can be cut and bound around the boat’s edges. However, there are usually not as flexible as their counterparts.
Other Features
Other features of a marine carpet include: easy to maintain, stain-resistant, available in different colors and designs with custom inlays, range 3.3 mm – 7.5mm thick, anti-static, and they are resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew.
Pros Of Pontoon Boat Carpet
From enhancing the look of the boat to providing traction, there many benefits to using carpet on your pontoon boat.
Enhances Interior
Marine grade carpets for pontoon boats come in different colors, designs, and patterns. Hence, users can pick one that suits the overall décor of the boat to give it a facelift.
Prevents Accidents
Using a high quality marine carpet will reduce the risk of people, especially children, falling on the boat. Marine carpets give good traction and also have fast-drying abilities.
Cons Of Pontoon Boat Carpet
Every product has its upside and downside, including pontoon boat carpets. Being aware of the risks will help one make the right choice.
May Absorb Water
If one goes for a carpet that is not marine grade, then they should expect it to absorb water. Non-marine grade carpets will take time to dry, which leads to mildew and molds and a foul smell.
May Damage Decking
A low-quality carpet may leave traces of glue and backing material on the deck after it is removed. Also, a low-quality carpet may cause the decking to rot if it absorbs water.
How To Install Pontoon Boat Carpet
Even the best marine carpets will need replacing after years of spillage and heavy traffic. Also, a marine carpet may develop wear and tear after years of use.
Installing new carpet on a pontoon boat is not challenging and within the capabilities of a DIYer. The most difficult aspects are removing the equipment, furniture, and accessories, and tearing out the old carpet. After those steps are complete, the process becomes pretty easy.
Below is a step-by-step guide to installing pontoon boat carpet. For more information and additional perspective, visit Corinthian Marine’s installation guide for marine carpet.
1 – Remove All Items From The Deck
The first thing to do before installing new carpet is to remove all items sitting on the former carpet. One may need to remove boat seats, fence railing, parts, accessories, and hardware. The deck trim pieces attached to the side of the deck may also need to be removed.
It is crucial to document or even take pictures of the process to remember how to put things back later.
2 – Remove The Old Carpet
Depending on the vessel’s age and the adhesive used, it may either be easy or difficult to remove the old carpet. With older models, there’s a high chance that the plywood has rotted, and it may be near impossible to peel off the carpet.
If removing the old carpet proves extremely difficult, try cutting it into parts and then peeling it off in sections using scrapers. If the plywood beneath the carpet is rotten, however, then the best option may be first to remove and replace the boat’s deck.
3 – Prepare The Deck
If the deck does not need to be replaced, then the next thing is to do is a few touchups. Start by scraping off all the glue used in gluing the former carpet. All traces of the old glue must be removed before applying the new adhesive in order prevent adhesion problems.
After that, ensure to sand the plywood thoroughly to get a smooth and clean surface. Check for holes and voids and fill with wood putty or fiberglass fillers until the floor is leveled.
4 – Lay Out The New Carpet
Before applying glue, it is essential to inspect the new carpet and ensure it fits. For this step, roll out the new carpet completely until it covers the deck. Check it thoroughly for shipping damage and ensure it fits the boat like a glove.
5 – Install The New Carpet
After inspecting the carpet, fold the carpet in half. For instance, go to the front of the boat and fold it in half width-wise. Then, go to the back of the boat and repeat. After this, a section should be left exposed and each half of the carpet should be folded at one side of the deck.
With this method, the user can apply the glue by standing on one side of the pontoon boat without getting down on all fours. A gallon of glue will cover approximately an 8’×12′ area. Hence, the user should get the proper dimensions of the boat to know how much glue they will need.
Apply the marine carpet adhesive to the exposed area of decking. Then, use a nap paint roller to spread the adhesive evenly until the area is fully covered. Once the glue is evenly applied, unfold one side of the carpet and carefully lay it across the area where the glue was applied. Ensure the carpet is flat and square, then repeat the process with the other side.
6 – Compress The New Carpet
This step is crucial and can make or break the final outlook of the job. Therefore, this step must be done carefully. Use a heavy carpet roller or a heavy pipe to press the carpet hard against the glue till it bonds properly. Failure to carry out this step may result in the adhesive not bonding with the carpet. This may create lines and bubbles on the carpet.
Pontoon Boat Carpet Maintenance
It is crucial to maintain a pontoon boat’s carpet regularly to prevent wear and other signs of degradation as much as possible.
Below is information on how to maintain and care for pontoon boat carpet.
- Clean the carpet regularly. Follow the user manual and adhere to instructions on sweeping and vacuuming.
- Do not use harsh cleaners. Use mild cleaners or the one recommended in the manual.
- Clean spills as soon as they happen because they may be hard to clean if left for too long.
- After cleaning, allow the carpet to dry thoroughly before allowing people to step on it.
- When docking the boat, please keep it in a strategic position to protect the carpet from prolonged heat and UV ray exposure.
Conclusion
Installing pontoon boat carpet goes a long way to give one the best pontoon experience and safety on the boat. Among other benefits, installing carpet also increases the resale value of one’s pontoon boat. However, just like every other investment, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons to make a wise decision.
