We use contact cement on aircraft leading edges to install deice boots. The black rubber you see on the wings. When installing these you need it perfectly alined and you cannot mess-up. At $5000 to $10000 each side you can't afford to replace them. Here is the trick to install.

Cut the carpet exactly the size you want. Paint the boat and the carpet with the contact cement (the yellow type cement) and allow to air dry where it is not tacky at all. It can even dry for several hours. Even the next day is alright. You want it to be dry so you can position it exactly were you want it and it doesn't stick. You will be able to move it where you want.

When you are ready to have it stick, get ya some Acetone in a little can and a paint brush. Roll half of your carpet back.
You might want to put some plastic on top of the carpet when you roll it up to protect the carpet from getting glue on it. The glue is dry, but you don't want to chance it. Paint both surfaces with the Acetone. It will reactivate the glue, becoming sticky again. Gluing things this way is alot easier. Test a small piece on some scrap wood.
Hope this helps