Restoration carpet quality???

[dr]

I've been thinking of recarpeting the boat. Through research on the internet, I've found sites that will send you samples of their carpet. Now the question: When I have these samples before me, (from multiple sellers). How does one go about evaluating the samples for quality. How can you tell one is better than the other ? What should I look for in a good product ?

[northrivergeek]

Basically as long as its 20 oz carpet and uv rated 3 yr warranty , its all the same, most of the carpet for sale on the internet comes from Sparta carpets in Dalton, Ga or one or two others in the Dalton area.

I buy mine from Sparta , but Im only about 30 miles from the factory , I just drive down and pick it up.

All the carpet is pretty much the same , no real difference, buy it for the best price you can get it for with shipping. make sure you buy at least 5 ft more than the length of the boat, if your doing the rod locker and compartments, buy at least 10 foot more

[nickyp]

I was told 5ft longer would be good for my boat. Wrong.

I didnt have enough to do the rod locker and I had to use two pieces on one of my last cuts. I had almost 0 scrap. I have a 17ft g3. I had 23ft of carpet shipped from cabelas. I bought the thickest most expensive carpet. BAD idea. Hours of shaving down my rod locker lid, storage lids, livewell lid, and the lid on the transom engine/gas compartment. The lid that gave me the hardest time was the lviewell. Even after hours of trying to shave down the edges with a pair of barber cutters its not right. I have to use a chisel to open the lid every time I cull or put fish in there. This ruined a 2-3inch piece of carpet where I chisel. I broke 4 latch handles before coming to the chisel conclusion.

[northrivergeek]

Shaving lids .. waste of time IMO .. lids will be easier to open in a few weeks as the carpet gets mashed down.. 16oz carpet would have helped some .. but still would be tight, the carpet pile is the same height .. just less fibers.. 16oz wears out faster.

I occasionally shave one that is super tight very rare( Shave the Carpet ) not the lid.. use a pair of dog shears .. take very little off at a time, dont want it loose , just a little looser .. it will loosen up as the carpet fibers get mashed flat.

Even at 5 foot longer you should have had enuff to do your rod locker, I remove the old carpet when possible .. if its not totally gone .. and use it for pattern, I lay out the floor sections , and position the rod locker and rear gas tank lockers pieces on the carpet before I make the first cut, this way you get the full use of the carpet.
Just make sure the nap is going the same direction on all pieces .. other wise looks like a checker board

[jusmangrum]

hey northriver I was wondering if you replace carpet for other people if so I need to get your contact information cause I will be ready to do mine here shortly and I live just 25 min south of dalton and would bring my boat to you.

[northrivergeek]

Yea I have a shop in Hixson , about a mile past Chester Frost Park on Hixson Pike .. Ill PM you the contact info

[dr]

Thanks NRG. 20 oz is the way to go. Not to cut into your livelyhood...but can anyone just go to Dalton and get same quality as professional installers.

[northrivergeek]

You can if you can find it if you have a buis license you can.. but If you hollar at me .. I can pick it up for you while Im getting other carpet.. will only charge you .50 per square yard more than I paid for it.. If I have to make a special trip the charge per square yard will be 6.50

You may be able to find it for sale somewhere in Dalton ? There are a ton of carpet dealers that sell end of roll etc . I dont know who there sells marine carpet other than my suppliers / manufactures , I buy from one mainly .. but occasionally buy from a couple others.

[mbusby]

I just ordered and received mine from bassboatcarpet.com. They will send you four different color samples for $2.00, 20oz carpet. They also have precut kits for many different boat models so you dont have to start from a big roll. Carpet is already cut for all of the boat and lids with about 3 or 4 inches of excess for trimming. I paid $430 thats including shipping for the carpet, 2 gal of adhesive, and the tuck trim for the bow. Real pleased with the quality of carpet and they were quick to ship with excellent customer service as far as I'm concerned.

[nickyp]

I store my boat outside and use it all the time. Did the carpet in january in a heated shop this year. its still not matted down enough to open it by handle.

[northrivergeek]

So get a dog hair clippers and shave just a tad , until the lids open easier, just take a very small portion off until opens easier

[drone370v]

Do you really only pay $6.50 per square yard. If so let me know, I live in Ca. out here the cheapest i have found was around $30. per yard

[northrivergeek]

Actually pay less than that .. but I have to cover my gas to drive 30 -40 miles to get it.. What your paying is the freight in Cali .. most of the carpet in the US is made in Dalton , Ga which is about 40 miles south of here.. I get direct from mill.. If I could buy higher volume my cost would go down
If you buy reg retail here it will cost you alot more