Vinyl vs Carpet Flooring

[murff]

I purchased a used Sylvan 16' Pro Fisherman this winter. The carpeting is pretty bad. Want to take it out and replace it with either Cabela's "nubby" vinyl or carpeting. Would prefer the vinyl,but...my 2 fishing buddies are my wife and a little terrier. Anyone have experience with how hot the vinyl might get under our MN sun in the summer? Would it be better to have the carpeting? Thanks in advance.

[BoxMN]

I am a big vinyl fan, I used Dot Deco in tan for my pontoon and another boat. For all but the hottest sun days it is not bad. But I will warn you, that it does get hot HOT in those July and August "nothing but sun" days. However, I also have a boat with dark green carpeting, and also have that blue/black plastic outdoor cheap carpeting on my dock, and all those flooring choices get too hot HOT on those super sunny hot days.

We have dogs and grandkids, and we just make sure kids are wearing flip flops, and for the dogs we lay sheets or towels down when it is too hot.

So to answer your question, it can get too hot, but unless you use very light colored carpeting, it is going to be about as hot. For dogs you always need something extra (plus shade) on those hot days, but most days it is just fine for barefeet or dogs, but you have to watch.

Good luck, and BTW vinyl is super easy to clean dog hair, worm juice, drink boxes, pop, beer, and dirt and sand. Still gets my vote

[Rivernut]

I totally agree with Box. I have a 12 year old 16ft Starcraft w/gray vinyl on the casting deck and floor, and its great. Cleans up nicely, and is holding up great. I always wear shoes, but if you are going to be barefoot, it can get hot. Gets my vote also. Good luck!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Give a thought to vinyl, and snap on carpet. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can put the carpet down on the hot days so you don't roast off your feet.

[BoxMN]

 Originally Posted By: boilerguy

Give a thought to vinyl, and snap on carpet. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can put the carpet down on the hot days so you don't roast off your feet.

Yep, best of both worlds. This is the way to go.

[marine_man]

I would definitly also puruse snap in carpet over a vinyl floor. If you're on a week long fishing trip you'll want the vinyl. If you're out cruising with the wife and kids or doing some tubing / etc, it'd be nice to have the carpet.

marine_man

[Ray Esboldt]

I have vinyl in my 1850 Crestliner Fish Hawk and would never go back to carpet.

[baitcaster]

I have vinyl with snap in carpet and it is the only way to go. When fishing with the guys for a week I take the carpet out, when I get home I powerspray it clean and it is done. Put the carpet in for the family and it stays just like new. Highly recommend it.

[bassNspear]

we are selling alot more boats with vinyl floor because its going to last alot longer, and people believe it looks better and cleans up better as well.

[murff]

Thanks guys. We are going to go with the vinyl and check out the snap-in carpet idea.

[murff]

Thanks guys. We are going to go with the vinyl and keep in mind the snap-in carpeting idea.

[bassNspear]

good luck, let us know how everything comes out for ya.

[BoxMN]

One other advantage, sine we are talking about it, is that vinyl will shed the water to the drains after rain, waves, etc. get in the boat. That means the flooring plywood will come in contact with less water. Carpet will be soaked contacting the plywood until the carpet dries. Meaning shorter intervals between needing new floor.

Good luck!