Replacing carpet/lining bass boat - help

[SHaRPS]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Triton TR165 with a 90HP Johnson Saltwater edition motor. My carpet is now green, molded and peeling and its time to replace it. It looks like its fiberglass under the carpet and not wood. I looked in Rhino lining but it looks like it adds a ton of weight to the boat. I also see Line X but its also an expensive option unless I do it myself. Does anyone recommend something else or should I just re-carpet? I want to add that i use this boat in both the bay (salt) and freshwater. I Live in RI and would prefer not to have to do this on my own but I will if the price is right. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Mac Attack]

Here's two options.
I've used both, but the epoxy paint is way easier for a novice.
Also comes in a variety of colors.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/vinyl/_/N-1100628/Ns-CATEGORY_SEQ_104672880


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLV6AVE/ref=biss_dp_sa1

[SHaRPS]

Thank you for the quick response Mac Attack. I like the Slip Doctor Epoxy idea in Grey to match my boat. How did you like the Epoxy? Was it actually slip proof when wet? How many layers did you put on and how long did it last? I just feel like something like this is the way i need to go with the type of fishing i do.  It seems great for the salt as well. Did you brush it on or did you use a roller and how many gallons do you think i would need for my boat?

[Mac Attack]

Yea, I like the epoxy better too.
I have vinyl in my Lund and have a small tear in it.
Not nearly as tough as epoxy I think.

I used that very same epoxy in an old 16' Starcraft about 10-12 years back.
It was blue that I chose to use.
I first used a decent primer to seal the wood floor.
Not sure what primer I used.
Contact the epoxy company and discuss this with them.
Being that you are going right over fiberglass, maybe they will tell you not to use a primer.
Unsure.
But I would be really sure the floor is cleaned.
Use denatured alcohol or something to wipe it clean.
Maybe you might want to also rough up the floor with sandpaper first before cleaning it with alcohol.
I did 2 coats of the epoxy.
I used a brush but they say you can use a roller.
I think the epoxy looked fine using a brush.
Like I said, mine was an OLD Starcraft.
Anything I used or did was going to look better than it was before I started.
And I absolutely HATE carpet in a boat.
I will NEVER have carpet in any of my boats ever again.
We fish!!!
Floors get dirty!!!
Worms, minnows, guts, fish slime, blood, soda, food, etc.
I like a floor I can hose down and use a stiff brush and detergent on it to clean things up.

The epoxy was great one year later when I sold the boat.
Sorry, I cannot tell you how long it lasted.
Don't know the guy who bought it.
I live in Buffalo, NY and he was from CT or MA or something.

Good luck.

Mac

[SHaRPS]

You are spot on with the cleaning portion! I also tog fish with this boat and blood and crabs are messy.  This is also why i am considering the epoxy over carpet. I see that i can get it for 125 for a gallon so this is still cheaper than any other method. I can always do a 3rd or fourth layer as well. This may be the route i take.

[lowaccord66]

Wet carpet is much heavier than any coating or lining you paint on there.  I need to replace the carpet the previous owner had on mine.  Post some pics if you can?

Mac thanks for the link.  My floor is covered in it and didn't know where to find the stuff.  I will say...after a few power washings I did get some to seperate from the marine plywood..

[SHaRPS]

Will do lowaccord. I would clean it with boat wash and a soft brush. Power washer even damages fiberglass from my experience, metal might not be an issue. I am seriously considering this now. I was going to wait until the spring to do it but with thse temps in the 70's i may just do it this weekend if i can get my hands on a gallon.

[lowaccord66]

If you need spare hands shoot me a pm and Id be happy to help. Or at least drink beer and say words while you work 

[SHaRPS]

sounds like the only thing we would accomplish is blue prints. 

[Mac Attack]

In a few years I'm retiring and moving to Florida.
No more boat winterizing!!!

 

Anyway, my plan is to buy an old pontoon and rebuild it.
I will definitely be doing the floor of it with an epoxy.
Salt and sun down there beat the hello out of stuff.
I think the epoxy will give me the durability and overall life I'm looking for.
Maybe 15 yrs ago I realized that this is what all of the head (party) fishing boats do.
Very durable, takes a pressure washing, and keeps rust and corrosion at bay.

Mac

[lowaccord66]

I run mine until Jan in CT so not much mothball time.  Sharpes...that or we would end up fishing instead.  (Why I hardly get stuff done on my boat)

I was in Orlando not long ago.  Eating at Millers which is a customer of ours at work.  Kids in the bar at 130am was confusing and man was it hot. God bless ya Mac it may be for some but it wasnt for me!

[SHaRPS]

Agreed lowaccord! I am going to try 1 or 2 more times for tautog but its hunting season for me. Pheasant and quail have already taken up 1 rack in my freezer and the season is still young. This is why I have 3 German Shorthaired Pointers lol. As far as Florida, also not for me. I enjoy the ice and 4 seasons and would not mind moving farther north. 

[lowaccord66]

Few of my good friends are in the woods now too.  I need to get down with the hunting but its awefully hard to stop fishing!  Brid dogs, guns and meat...cant beat it. 

Ill be keeping an eye out for pics.  I want to deshag mine as well!

[Mac Attack]

I run mine until Jan in CT so not much mothball time.  Sharpes...that or we would end up fishing instead.  (Why I hardly get stuff done on my boat)

I was in Orlando not long ago.  Eating at Millers which is a customer of ours at work.  Kids in the bar at 130am was confusing and man was it hot. God bless ya Mac it may be for some but it wasnt for me!

Can't do the winter outdoor sports anymore.
Got neuropathy in my feet really bad.
Not diabetic, hereditary.
Very painful and the cold makes it worse.
Every year it gets worse.
Used to ice skate, snowmobile, ice fish, hunt, etc.
Even fishing for perch through the early winter months from shore before things froze up.
Can't do it anymore.
I would really love to keep the boat running later into the Fall but right now my youngest son Chris moved back home.
He has EVERYTHING he owns in my storage shed and my garage.
So I have no room for the boat at home.
He is looking right now for a storage facility for everything and then we will move it all.
But that will be another couple weeks or so to get it all done.
So the boat regrettably went into storage.
We drag it out as early as possible though to hit the brown trout and cohos in Lake Ontario as soon as the weather breaks and harbor thaws out so we can launch.
My older son Jeff loves going after steelhead in the creeks all winter.
He begs me constantly to go.
Wish I could, but I wouldn't be able to walk for 2-3 days afterwards.
We do have a boat trip planned for February with a local charter guy in the lower Niagara River.
I'm looking forward to it, but not the pain afterward.
Florida will allow me to use my boat all year, and not have to deal with the cold.
It is what it is.

I do miss my hunting and ice fishing.

[taxid]

Different strokes for different folks. I prefer carpet to dampen the noise in the boat and haven't had issues keeping it clean. I usually wait for it to dry to clean though.