To carpet or not to carpet?

[flootapooch]

G'day all,

I'm a very new boaty and you'll be pleased to know that I have popped my cherry with a Polycraft 4.1 open. I've got 30hp on the back and a Minn Kota on the front. Bought it second hand, so got a few nice little extras with it like fish finder, lights, bimini, safety gear etc. I'm a bit like a new father but without the sleep deprivation.

I'm cracking the champers over it this coming weekend, now that I have my boat license.... so look out for reports on the news of a bloke drifting backwards and out of control over the Tweed bar. Actually, I'm going to take it pretty easy... just poke about up river and get used to it all. Like I said, it's my first boat.

I'll get to the point now.... the casting deck has carpet which has been glued and stapled around the hold covers. I have bought myself some marine carpet for main deck (between stern and casting deck), but thought I would ask the experts:

1. should I carpet this area as it seems to have channels running down to the bilge which I would be covering up?

2. if it's okay to cover this area, what is the best way to fix the carpet down? Should I just lay it down (might slide about a bit) or should I glue it with contact or should I screw it down along the edges?

If anyone can give me their thoughts, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sorry I can't contribute much to the forums yet, but hopefully a bit more experience will let me join in. Unless of course anyone is interested in fishing the Tweed River, in which case I can probably point you towards a few spots.

Cheers,
Pooch.

[Fishmarket]

Hi Pooch, welcome to the site. I remember my first boat ... exactly the same as yours about 3 years ago ... ah the freedom of it all. Not sure where in Brisbane you are but would be happy to share the limited knowledge with you. The centre carpet piece really needs some backing under it and I got the rubber backed carpet included ... I think this maybe available from Clark Rubber ... you can also buy the backing separate from a marine place .. the whole lot is held in place with some plug thingy's (non technical term) that push through the carpet and into the Poly's floor just in front of the front and rear decks ... nice and comfy under bare feet and easily removable for either hosing down or a bit of "Shake n Vac" and a good vacuuming!!!! Don't worry about covering the whole floor ... just don't glue it whatever you do!!!! Not sure what sort of fishing you are into, but if you like flicking lures around exchange the Bimini for a nice hat!!!!!

Matt

[flootapooch]

Good advice. Thanks Matt. I already have the carpet, so will take your advice and get some rubber sheeting to glue it to. That sounds like it would work really well.

I'm on the south side of vegas, so will no doubt go for a bit of a snoop around Jacob's Well at some point. I can't go outside unfortunately as I get unbelievably crook at the first sign of swell. I have a mate up near the Pine River, so may go for a poke around there as well. Most of my fishing has always been in and around the Tweed, so I will probably end up there when I get the chance.

I do like to flick a lure and I know what you mean about the bimini. It's really only there for when I take the missus and little 'uns out. Other than that, it will be folded up and laying down.

If you know your way around Jacob's well any advice you can share would be well received.

Thanks again for the tip.

Cheers,
Pooch.

[chin]

Shouldn't be any need to glue anything Poochy.
Get some of these plastic plug thingies, and try to drill the hole for them in centre of the round mouldings on the floor (if your boat has them)

[Doug]

"plastic plug thingies"

Called Christmas trees. Places like Repco and SuperCheap have them.

[chin]

Ask for a Christmas tree at this time of year and see what you get. :)

[Fishmarket]

Hey Pooch, I'm also on the south side and usually go out from Cabbage Tree Ramp out near the Pin Bar .. very quick run at about 15 minutes and some very good fish to be had down there. I'm away in the UK for a month from Saturday but I'll shoot you a PM when I get back and hopefully can hook up for beer and I'd be happy to share a few spots with you ... and the Brisbane River if you interested in the Threadfin and Snapper on lures. Would be interested in the Tweed a I've never fished it before. Good luck and happy hunting!!!

Ta
Matt

[bigmark]

Press studs are ok as well.You can then just unclip and remove carpet from boat for cleaning.
BM

[poly]

hay chin have you been out catchin squid

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/poly2312/boat%20work/carpet001Small-1.gif

[chin]

Thanks for noticing Paul, and you have lovely handwriting. :p

[Zutta]

Hey mate and welocme to the forums :)

Mine has the holes cut for the seat mounts and just layed over, not secured anywhere else, works fine for me, havnt slipped or anything yet! Nice and easy to pull corners up and clean under etc, When i eventually need to replace ill just have to unbolt seat racks, 4 bolts each , to remove.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8868/dscf3419g.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/dscf3419g.jpg/)

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/581/dscf3301.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/dscf3301.jpg/)

[flootapooch]

Hey thanks everyone for the feeback.
:D

Chin - I'll go looking for your Christmas trees - look good. Matt suggested some rubber underneath which I probably should do, but I might just try the plugs first and see what happens.

Matt - mate would be great to go scare some when you get back. I lived in the UK for 7 years so don't get too attached to it like I did. Fishing over there isn't so great.

Cheers,
Pooch.

[cam1]

I have been reading about sea dek available from www.flybridge.com.au was thinking about that .also a bloke by the name of micheal guest owns a blue poly 4.5 i think its pretty well decked out im sure he has a flooring cover called regupol .check them out they look the goods but i guess securing them to a poly floor might be another thing alltogether. Also Ive seen a few threads on here in regards to the sides of the poly being a pain to fish from as there are no toe holds or railing for the side . also seen coaming bolsters from seadek as well .might be worth a look for the knees ?
any ways thats my 2 cents worth.

[Dave]

Hey Cam thanks for the info... will check them out, its always good to have another option available.

[Mark]

Hey Pooch,
I first set my boat up 3 year ago and I didnt like standing on the padded cushions while fishing. Also when I go out in Moreton Bay, my Fiancee likes to lay down for 30-60 Minutes. this then gives me an easy 8-10Hr fishing day and a Happy Woman LOL. I found the floor a little slippery when wet with shoes on and a little uncomfortable in bare feet (sissy LOL ). Answer was to buy awesome carpet. All the carpet is plush ribbed / rubber backed / fully shaped and edge bound. The floor carpet is cut around consoles and has two hole for the seats. with the ladder back seats you can push lever to rotate and just lift them off. Being rubber backed it adds a little weight and also stops the carpet slipping. On the front deck and seat the pieces are edge bound (trimmed) and have had Stainless push clips added. Front deck uses front 2 clips from padded cushion and added 2 at rear corners. Live well carpet uses rear clips and added 2 at front corners etc. Result is a very soft cushioned floor thats VERY easy to remove for cleaning . The only downside is that being rubber backed, it doesnt allow the water to drain thru as quick as standard carpet. At end of day lift all carpet out, hang on clothes line , hose off. TOO EASY. This is also very helpfull after a day of Tuna fishing. Blood splatter everywhere. Lift carpet out & wash on concrete driveway.

Cheers
Mark

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy350/Markrel/TriumphBoatModsWeb11.jpg