New cabin flooring project with pics

narcosis · **Joined:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:18 pm **Posts:** 48

My old cabin lay-in carpet was getting tired. The rubber backing was flaking off and no matter how much I shampooed the carpet or washed the snap-in canvas runner, it just didn't look good anymore. I came to the conclusion that I don't like carpet on boats. At one point in time I also had new cockpit carpet, but ended up throwing that away after getting tired of walking around on squishy wet carpet.

My brother in law had a bunch of left over synthetic teak and holly from his boat, so I got busy this weekend and put in a new floor!

First, I removed the steps. I was surprised to find the steps were both screwed and glued to the metal framing. It took some good prying to get these suckers off.

Removing the gross old carpet revealed the steps were routered out with a channel for installing the carpet. I masked off the area that was not going to be covered with the teak and holly. The rest was filled with bondo, sanded, and prepped.

Here are both steps, one with the first of two bondo applications and the other without.

Next, I marked the center line of the boat. This was hard to get exactly correct, but an artistic guess helped.

I started cutting and gluing individual pieces. The thing I love about this material is the texture. Each teak and holly piece is individual and the holly strip is actually a bit recessed from the teak. This gives a nice surface under your feet that looks and feels convincing.

I lined up the lines of the teak and holly on the bilge access plate. Getting the margin right took a lot of trial and error.

I bolted one of the steps back on to mark the direction of the teak and holly. It was important to me for all of the stripes to be going the exact same direction.

After finishing up cutting and gluing each strip, I mounted the steps.

Done!

The project took about 2 full days. I could have taken half as much time, but I'm very picky. I'm REALLY pleased with the outcome and I think it updates the boat nicely and the cabin somehow feels roomier. Now I don't have to worry so much about the kids getting everything wet when we're clowning around on the reef and they decide they want to grab something from the cabin. Next, I'm going to do the area under the dinette!

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:21 pm

Looks great!

jsimon · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:29 pm

That looks really good. Im thinking about the same thing. I have a small area in front of the galley with it, but it would look nice to have it throughout, with out the light carpet to keep cleaning.

Good job. where did your BIL get the material?

narcosis · **Joined:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:18 pm **Posts:** 48

jsimon wrote:

That looks really good. Im thinking about the same thing. I have a small area in front of the galley with it, but it would look nice to have it throughout, with out the light carpet to keep cleaning.

Good job. where did your BIL get the material?

Thanks. He got the material from nuteak: http://www.nuteak.com/Frames_Pages/NuTeakInterior.htm

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:11 pm

Awesome!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:37 pm

That really looks outstanding ! Very nice work. It really adds an element of class to the cabin.

JDW250 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:27 am

Nicely done! That looks great!

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:06 am

narcosis wrote:

I came to the conclusion that I don't like carpet on boats. At one point in time I also had new cockpit carpet, but ended up throwing that away after getting tired of walking around on squishy wet carpet.

Given I have 4 kids and a dog running around, I am with you on this and I put my cockpit carpet up a couple of years ago. This is what I have been looking at for my cabin flooring because it is so cheap (only $169 for a 4' x 10' sheet). However, I am torn now because your Nuteak flooring looks more authentic and has such deep color. Another concern is that it says Marinelam is slippery when wet and that is why I was going to keep carpet on the steps. Is the interior Nuteak slippery when wet and any idea what it would have cost you if you had to pay for the materials yourself? Looks great, btw.

Marinelam Cherry and Holly

millhaven_nice_guy · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:10 am

That looks amazing! I have been considering removing the carpet in my cabin and replacing it but now I think you may have opened my eyes to something else that would be spectacular. I have been tossing around using laminate or maybe even real hardwood but this stuff is amazing looking. This is really something to consider. I like all the diffferent shades it comes in so you can mix it up in different areas. I am sure it's not cheap but the impact is absolutely stunning.

Thanks for posting!

Decision · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:12 am

Gotta say........that really does look great! Good job.

Mike.

narcosis · **Joined:** Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:18 pm **Posts:** 48

298VISTA2000 wrote:

Another concern is that it says Marinelam is slippery when wet and that is why I was going to keep carpet on the steps. Is the interior Nuteak slippery when wet and any idea what it would have cost you if you had to pay for the materials yourself? Looks great, btw.

I had the same concern at first. There is a texture to the interior Nuteak, but nothing like nonskid or exterior products. I've walked into the cabin with wet feet after the install and don't think there is much of a risk of slipping. It tends to "stick" to your feet. Now, if you had on wool socks that would be an entirely different story LOL. Thanks again for the compliments guys. I'm really liking the upgrade.

oscar · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:39 am

I prefer carpet in the boat, but on my previous boat the V 258, the cabin carpet was really "used" so I decided to upgrade by myself with a laminate - marine teak, bought in one piece cut by myself making paper "pre-shapes" (how is english :?:

)

we decided to screw it on the old wood floor (after taking away the old glued carpet) and not to glue it because, in case of need, we could simply remove it unscrewing without destroying. Screws we covered with a well shaped piece of wood (glued in the hole)

this was the final result

this detail took time (and many bad words... :evil:

)

at the end I saved some laminate wood also to make the tender boat bottom that is in flexible pvc.

I painted them with a impregnating water based paint and it's not slippery at al!!!
But this must be specified to the supplier of marine laminate teak: FOR OUTSIDE surfaces - even if we put inside - because the outside are built to be wet but not slippery, because you can wash and clean it very simply and definitely because, if you have children like me, the outside and the inside are wet in the same way - no chances on this!!!!!
(And of course their durability in wet conditions is much longer than the built for inside laminate)

:wink:

billcruise · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:37 pm

Does anyone have experience with synthetic teak used in the cockpit? I am constantly chasing people with crumbs and have 'outlawed' choclate chip cookies on the boat because I'm constantly digging them out of the carpet. I like the sound deadening quality of the carpet and have noticed that without carpet it's noticeably louder underway. One solution I was considering is synthetic teak for the high traffic aisle that leads to the cabin and the 'teak carpet' elsewhere to get the benefit of the noise reduction. Then again the teak carpeting probably hides dirt a little better than the looped brown carpet I currently have because of the thick nap.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:52 pm

billcruise wrote:

Does anyone have experience with synthetic teak used in the cockpit?

A former 248 owner did......

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1651&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=synthetic+teak

jnizi · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:49 pm

We have the Flexiteek installed throughout the boat. It is a love/hate relationship. It looks great, is easy to clean (Simple Green & water) but it is HOT on bare feet when it bakes in the sun. It does absorb oil so I did have a few stains from chocolate chips that were dropped on deck. It did come clean with a good washing.

The boat was a demo model so I did not select having it installed. After having it, I would actually prefer the carpet. When we raft up, I wet towels and lay them on the swim platform and main walk way to not burn the feet or back side when seated.

In the cool weather or in the evenings, it is just fine and we get many compliments. I have considered having a carpet made for the main deck & helm and am considering options for the swim platform.

www.iFourWinns.com

New cabin flooring project with pics

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