Anybody know any tricks to installing boat carpet?

[Christopher Quast]

Here is what I tried I wrapped about 2" under plywood stapled the schmidt out of it with a hammer tacker and then pulled the other side as tight as I could get it and stapled it and I still have wrinkles and looks like doodoo. Just seeing if anyone has made some sort of a jimmy rigged stretcher or maybe some pointers and also how much smaller you cut your hatches so everything is nice and snug when finished.

[Steve Bakken]

This may be a dumb question, but did you use carpet glue or just staples?

[ANYFISH]

glue is a must, also if it was new plywood it would help to router the edges to a curve as your can strech carpet better around that edge. careful, as one can strech to far to where your glue doesn't hold.

[Valv]

I think you have to glue it also....too much traffic on it to keep stretched just with staples.

[moneytalksbsw]

Did this this winter in my basement. Use indoor/outdoor glue and mason trowl to apply glue. Staple on underside of plywood.

[Lowblazah]

Precut carpet to size. then remove.

Apply glue liberally with trowel...then lay your precut carpet...work it down with a roller of some sorts (i used a 3 inch paint roller as shown in my second pic)

I didnt have the need to pull it tight considering I rolled it thoroughly starting on one side working to the other while laying it.

[jwhjr]

Looks good Lowblazah!