Caracal - middle rod locker question

[BeantownBee]

Hey Caracal owners. I was thinking of pulling out the rod tubes and holders from the middle rod locker because it's difficult to grab a few rods from the bottom when its full. Want to put carpet on the bottom and sides. Did anyone do this and if so, where did they get marine grade carpet from and any special marine grade carpet adhesive did they use? Like to see pics if anyone had some.. TIA

Brian

[lamoon78]

I’m going to pull mine out but I use Rod Gloves a lot easier.

[billius]

I was all set to carpet the rod locker. I bought my carpet from BassCat. After thinking about it for a while, I decided it wasn't worth the effort, to me at least. I never did get any adhesive. I was planning on using some Velcro so I could remove it if I wanted to.

[krindgen]

Not a Caracal owner, but Phoenix had the antlers with rod tubes in the port side locker. I thought it would help me stay organized. It helped me stay frustrated. I also use rod sleeves and reel covers on everything. So I removed the rack and have been happy I did. With the covers and sleeves the outfits don't get nicked up or tangled up. Very easy loading and unloading.

[FastCat04]

Don't have a Caracal, but removed the rod tubes from my 2018 Eyra and it's WAAYYYYYYYY better without them !!!!!! If you want to carpet your box....call Alan (in parts) at BassCat. He can send you the good stuff from the factory.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Rod sleeves will make use of any rod box smoother and some in the staff here has used a sleeve since the mid 1980’s. They made their own vinyl sleeves in house. Some individuals prefer their reels not contact the other reels as some people spend up to $750 on one reel and $450 on one rod. A complete set of $1000 combos would be a significant investment.

[Finlander]

Carpet is out dated. SeaDek is 1000 time better suited for bass boat application. More padding, does not hold water or moisture and wares better.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Price complete replacement of that SeaDeck before you make such a broad statement. We expect replacement of SeaDeck, or other EVA foam flooring (AquaTrax), to run about $3000 to $3500 in a few years. The replacement cost, ability to get that patterned well, and the feasibility on older boats to be an Issue. In areas it could extend to almost a $5,000 aftermarket replacement.

[billius]

Carpet is out dated. SeaDek is 1000 time better suited for bass boat application. More padding, does not hold water or moisture and wares better.

Whether something is outdated is merely a matter of opinion. I think I would like to try out a boat with SeaDek instead of carpet, but not in rod boxes or in other compartments I would wager SeaDek would be much hotter fishing in the summer sun than carpet, so I can pros and cons to both ideas. (SeaDek vs. carpet)

[Ben Danbleume]

I'd like to Sea Deck just the floor area of my old Cat. The deck carpet is still in good shape but floor area under the consoles is getting loose around the edges.

[Bobby8]

Ithink I would shy away from the carpet. If the drain tube from the front cup holder ever separates or breaks thatcenter rod locker will catch water as mine did. I would not want to have to drythe carpet out.

[BeantownBee]

thanks guys. Probably going to call BassCAt and get a piece of carpet from the factory. Peace!

[Louie]

Ithink I would shy away from the carpet. If the drain tube from the front cup holder ever separates or breaks thatcenter rod locker will catch water as mine did. I would not want to have to drythe carpet out.

The water in the bilge can jettison to the bow as bcb calls it. Ive seen it on numerous caracals. I would be hesitant to carpet the bottom of that box due to this. You would never know if it got a smaller amount of moisture unless you pawed down past your reels and felt the carpet in there wet. I my self had alot water in there once and have seen it happen to others.

[Hollada]

I would never dream of carpeting that locker....

[Bass Cat Boats]

We have made major moves to reduce the jettisoning of water in the last 2 months. This was a major factor when we removed the foam block, which was glued and wedged into the sump. The blocks would get moisture laden and shift to the sump, thus we’re ineffective if they moved to the furthest rear area.

[BASStex1988]

I know it would be some work but what about trying to use snaps or something that you may be able to remove the carpet if need be? Just a thought