Not sure if this is the right board but...

I know you guys have a ton of knowledge about other boat fixes. Maybe ya'll can help me here?


Boat remodel?

Since gas prices keep going up, I was thinking of remodeling my current boat to do a little upgrading without buying another boat. I have a 1995 Gruman 1542 bass style with carpet. I am gonna check on the price of a new Tohatsu or Evinrude ETEC 30-40hp if they make an ETEC that small. Gonna upgrade from the 25hp 1991 Evinrude now to a bigger motor with tilt/trim. Boat is all aluminum except the decks are plywood.

Questions:

1. Has anyone removed all the carpet and replaced with rollon/sprayon LineX style or a vinyl? Cabela's has a deco dot and vinyl that I have been looking at to replace the carpet. I would be able to wash down and keep the boat cleaner. I will need to replace the front deck since I have a weak spot that needs attention.

2. How hard is it to replace the carpet? The doors for the storage compartments and livewell will need to be EXACT. How hard is it to measure and apply the new carpet?

3. Anyone run into NIGHTMARE problems reconditioning a boat?

Thanks for any and all input...tell me if I am just crazy too!

It can be done just takes time and several clamps. I used strips of wood and clamps two on each hatch then after the glue dried done the other 2 sides of the hatch. take the hatches out lay carpet over then cut holes out then use a new peice for the hatch lid. If you try to cut exact its a pain this way you can give yourself plenty of material for inner sides of hatch openings. finish the hatch lids and then glue around the edges of hatches and hold them in place by putting the lid on. Ive done 3 boats and im always looking for a good deal on a fixer upper. make sure you dont get the premium carpet go middle of the road because the thicker it is the harder to work with it is. unless your keeping it another ten years.

Never done one but bass pro shops has papper they send with the carpet, to use to cut your patern.

I had a man do mine he used a grinder brush to get old up, and spray adhesive to put the new down. took lids out to carpet them and inside rod boxies.