1998 Stratos 273VR - Carpet Replace Question - Top Cap Seam Issue

[rrp0968]

Hi All

New here to the forums.....been browsing around for a while getting pointers on recarperting my boat and have ran across an issue hopefully you all may be able to help me with.

Anyway.....a little background. It is a 1998 Stratos 273VR with a 115HP Johnson Fast Strike.

Been a great little boat. However.....the backing on the carpet has dry rotted and this black sandy stuff is starting to get everywhere.

Anyway.....here is my question.....

I pulled all of the carpet from the boat. In the floor of the boat......it appears this is where the top cap andf the hull meet. It looks as if they added some sort of resin or something to smooth this joint. Well.....some of this material came out with the carpet and the rest of it is cracked pretty bad. The fiberglass is still perfect.....but this filler material needs to be replaced.

Have any of you ran into this before? What is this material and what is the best thing to go back with? I am assuming West Marine may have this stuff but wanted to ask here from folks that may have ran into this before.

I am going to attach a few pictures of the floor and one of it ready for new carpet minus a little more work on the floor. The decks and lids are pretty much ready. I am going to be ordering the carpet from Bass Cat shortly and hopefully have it complete in a few weeks.

Anyway.....here are the pictures.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I am also going to post this in the restoration forum as well.

















Modified by rrp0968 at 4:00 PM 1/25/2011

[Dan21XRS]

Post this on the Bassboat Restorations page also, might get answered quicker... Dan

[273 DC]

I am sure something like auto body filler will work..

[fastman151]

Ron...I have a 98 273 DC and ran into the same problem when I recarpeted mine. I used a product called Claw Glas (a water proof fiberglass filler that's activated with a hardener and dries hard as a rock). Get out as much of the old filler as you can, then smooth over the floor with this stuff. You work in sections. As an added tip....build up the outer edges of the floor and bevel the floor down towards the drain.

That Bass Cat carpet is good stuff, but it will make it harder to open the lids. You can get around that by using a mustache trimmer and shaving the edges of the lids. Good luck!!!

This is a good time to put in a recessed trey for that trolling motor pedal!!!

[rchavis]

My old 201 was like that under the cockpit when i pull the carpet to fix the floor arouhd the drain was soft .I cut out the soft spot then replace it but i reseal the hole floor before recarpting . I would fellow it out towards the drain with a cloth or mat fiber glass with a expo & resin towards the drain , i would pay close attend around the drain while the carpet is out . I would put resin & expo on it with the cloth around and under side a few inch's back . These people have all you need to do the job . US COMPOSITES, INC. (561) 588-1001

[rrp0968]

Spoke with a local fiberglass shop. The material that is in the boat is called Core Bond. However.....it is not readily avalable to a do it yourselfer. The guy that owns the shop recommended using a product called Dura Glas. It is a filler material that has fiberglass strands in it and it is waterproof. Sounds real similar to the Claw Glass product recommended above.

http://www.uschem.com/index.cf...pid=1

Think I am going to buy some of this stuff and give it a shot.

RRP

[rrp0968]

Fastman151......how much of the Claw Glass material did you use to do your boat? Did you go back with the bass cat carpet in yours? ANy pointers on the carpet install. I have read that the lids may be hard to open......I can trim if needed. They are already a bit tight with the stock carpet.

RRP

[fastman151]

I used less than a gallon of the Claw Glas. I went with this company for the carpet:

http://marinecarpeting.com/

This company supplies an install book and razor and blades with each order. A couple of tips:
With a magic marker, draw arrows toward the front of the boat on all of the lids. When you decide which way you're going to lay out the carpet to cut it, turn it over and draw arrows every 6" across and down the whole piece of carpet. It's very easy to get turned around, you want every piece of carpet to go in the same direction (it'll stand out like a sore thumb if not).
Change the cutting edge of the razor after every 3-4 cuts.
I used Henrys outdoor carpet glue for the deck and tops of the lids. I used Weldwood contact cement for the edges of the lids.

It's a pretty big job, somewhat time consuming, but very rewarding as everything starts coming together. Take your time and have fun!!!!

Don't forget that trolling motor control tray, will fit right in on the 273.

Also...even if don't go with this carpet company, they sell a nice carpet trim that looks good on the front deck.

[rrp0968]

Well.......finished the boat carpet quite a few months back and figured I would post some pictures of the completed project. Ended up taking it to a fiberglass shop to have the filler in the floor replaced. I am extremely please with ther way this turned out......like a brand new boat. The lids are slightly stiff but I am sure they will loosen with time.





Let me know what you all think....if you would like to see some detailed pictures, shoot me a reply.

I basically followed the experience of others on this board.

Hardest part was getting the old glue out.

Thanks

Ron

[STRATOS 1]

Looks Great Carpet will be my next project.

[fastman151]

Now that was'nt so bad now....Great job!!!!!!

[rchavis]

That's nice where did you get your carpet and what weight ?
Also whats that's color ? Ash

GOOD job

[dg3137]

I read your post. I'm thinking about replacing the carpet in my Stratos 273 bass boat. Did you get your carpet from a pre-cut kit? If so, how did you like the carpet? Do you have any suggestions on installation? Thanks!

[dg3137]

hey, fastman what weight carpet did you use, I,am doing my 273 ready to get carpet should I get 20 ounce or 24 ounce . How tight is youres being new

[rrp0968]

Have not poste here in a while....

The carpet i used is from Bass Cat.....sams stuff that is recommended all over this site. It was not pre cut....i used some of the old carpet as a template such as the floor.

The lids were a little stiff at first but have loosened up nicely.

Very pleased with the outcome.

RRP

[Dan21XRS]

Wow it does look like a new rig. Great job... ... Dan