I have a 1994 Luhrs 29 Sportfishing boat in San Diego. The cabin carpet is orginal (13 years) and is in really bad shape. I had a carpet guy give me an estimate ($750) to remove and replace with a snap-in carpet. He said we should remove old carpet and replace with a removable snap-in carpet. This sounds good, but am concerned it will move around, come undone and its pretty expensive. Any experience with replacing orginal carpet with snap in replacement?
Cabin Carpet
- Thread starter rfeeney
- Start date
Use the stronger stainless steel snaps. It may require the use of a pry tool to get the snaps apart but they won't come undone as easily by simply walking around.
The area where the snap fastens into the carpet should be reinforced. I recommend a "patch" sewn into the carpet that is at least 2 inches x 2 inches. This will keep the the snap from pulling through the carpet.
You should make sure that the carpet is going to have all its edges bound. This is typically done by wrapping a heavy duty fabric/canvas material over the edge and sewing it down. The binding will be about a 1/2" width on the carpet, front and back.
I like snap in carpet. The snaps don't bother me at all, I hardly see them. If placed properly the snaps will keep a moderate amount of tension on the carpet and thus keep any rolls or wrinkles out.
Advantages:
If you have hatches that you need access to your choices are either to have a removable carpet or cut out all the hatches. If you need in the hatch a lot then it is better to cut out the hatch in the carpet. If you only need occasionaly access then it is easy enough to just unsnap and roll up the carpet to get into the hatch.
My experiences with snap in carpet has been with outside uses (flybridge, back deck) rather than in the cabin. When I put the boat away I would unsnap and roll up the carpet and stow it away so it didn't get sun faded, dirty or soggy. I could wash the boat without getting the carpet wet (which could take hours to dry).
If your carpet gets debris on it you can unsnap, carry it to the side/dock and shake it out.
If the carpet gets wet and you don't want to walk around on wet carpet you can it off and hang it up to dry. The carpet will dry MUCH faster if there is air getting to both sides rather than having it lay in a puddle of water on the deck.
If you are going to be doing some work on the boat (like engine repair) and don't want to get the carpet all dirty, take it off and move it to a safe location.
Without knowing the size and shape of the carpet, as well as the quality of the carpet you would be using I can't comment on the price. Seems high if it is a small to medium sized rectangle. I would expect about an hour of labor to sew the binding on and attach the snaps. If the carpet has a lot of cut outs then there would be a lot more labor involved.
Rod
The area where the snap fastens into the carpet should be reinforced. I recommend a "patch" sewn into the carpet that is at least 2 inches x 2 inches. This will keep the the snap from pulling through the carpet.
You should make sure that the carpet is going to have all its edges bound. This is typically done by wrapping a heavy duty fabric/canvas material over the edge and sewing it down. The binding will be about a 1/2" width on the carpet, front and back.
I like snap in carpet. The snaps don't bother me at all, I hardly see them. If placed properly the snaps will keep a moderate amount of tension on the carpet and thus keep any rolls or wrinkles out.
Advantages:
If you have hatches that you need access to your choices are either to have a removable carpet or cut out all the hatches. If you need in the hatch a lot then it is better to cut out the hatch in the carpet. If you only need occasionaly access then it is easy enough to just unsnap and roll up the carpet to get into the hatch.
My experiences with snap in carpet has been with outside uses (flybridge, back deck) rather than in the cabin. When I put the boat away I would unsnap and roll up the carpet and stow it away so it didn't get sun faded, dirty or soggy. I could wash the boat without getting the carpet wet (which could take hours to dry).
If your carpet gets debris on it you can unsnap, carry it to the side/dock and shake it out.
If the carpet gets wet and you don't want to walk around on wet carpet you can it off and hang it up to dry. The carpet will dry MUCH faster if there is air getting to both sides rather than having it lay in a puddle of water on the deck.
If you are going to be doing some work on the boat (like engine repair) and don't want to get the carpet all dirty, take it off and move it to a safe location.
Without knowing the size and shape of the carpet, as well as the quality of the carpet you would be using I can't comment on the price. Seems high if it is a small to medium sized rectangle. I would expect about an hour of labor to sew the binding on and attach the snaps. If the carpet has a lot of cut outs then there would be a lot more labor involved.
Rod
Rod.
Thanks for the note. My first post to site and its pretty amazing to get such thoughful / detailed advice. The carpet would be bound on edges and has some kind of non-rubberized backing so as to not fuse to decking. There is a bigle compartment with current cut away, so snap on / off has its advantages over current cutaway. I too have seen it used outside, but not interior. The labor is about $500 so come to think of it, I want that job! I think the 2x2 snap backing patch is a good idea. Thanks again.
Thanks for the note. My first post to site and its pretty amazing to get such thoughful / detailed advice. The carpet would be bound on edges and has some kind of non-rubberized backing so as to not fuse to decking. There is a bigle compartment with current cut away, so snap on / off has its advantages over current cutaway. I too have seen it used outside, but not interior. The labor is about $500 so come to think of it, I want that job! I think the 2x2 snap backing patch is a good idea. Thanks again.
Usually binding a carpet is about $1.00 per foot. You could easily make a pattern and buy the carpet, cut it out and have it bound and save a lot of money.
My bridge carpet is snap on and when I had it done they reinforced the spaps with a strip of plastic window material folded over the corner and put the snap through that. You can also specify color matched snaps so they don't sho up as much.
My bridge carpet is snap on and when I had it done they reinforced the spaps with a strip of plastic window material folded over the corner and put the snap through that. You can also specify color matched snaps so they don't sho up as much.
i had my 32' done 1 year ago. same deal, some high quote from a local "marine" carpet guy. I had a carpet installer i know do it on the side. cost me $400 installed including the carpet i bought from HomeDepot. It looks very nice. and with it being a boat and my kids if it get's wrecked in a few years i can just rip it up and replace it.