I have an older aluminum 16’ side console Sea Nymph bass boat. It has carpet in it presently, but it’s in pretty rough shape. As we normally use it to shrimp, crab, and oyster collecting, I was thinking of removing the carpet and painting the floor with “something”. Don’t have a clue what to use. Please chime in with your opinions. BTW the existing carpet is glued and riveted in place. Let me know your thoughts…
Thanks!
I never understood carpet in a fishing boat. Bass boats and all that “purty” escapes me. I’d rather have some kind of non-skid. I redid the floor of a jon boat with Kiwi-grip after doing some research. Read nothing but good things about it. It was easy to put on and easy to clean up. You will probably have to put some kind of primer down on aluminum before putting any kind of non-skid down.
Kiwi grip would be my first choice.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
somebody tell me what kiwi grip is
ive never heard of it
me too jan
It is a non-skid material that that has been used for years in the sailing industry. Very easy to apply and clean up. You can control how aggressive you want the surface by how you roll the stuff on. It has the consistency of creamy p-nut butter. You put a blob down and spread it with a plastic putty knife and then using the Kiwi-grip roller, roll it out. I taped off areas with painter’s tape. Once the tape was removed (before it dries), it has a neat, clearly defined border.
Looks really nice, lwith contrasting deck paint.
thanks df jan
Just ordered a gallon, and yes, I’ll need to prime with epoxy first. I’m thinking this is going to be a fun project before shrimping season rolls around…
$150.00 / gallon But have read nothing negative about the product. And I agree Doug…Why the heck put carpet in a fishing boat?
quote:
Originally posted by justcr.Why the heck put carpet in a fishing boat?
Bass boats aren’t really fishing boats:smiley:
Here is a source for $140 a gallon. http://boatbuildercentral.com/products.php?cat=62#.UbY4f9ihguA.
A gallon goes a long ways. Usually enough for 2 small boats. It is fun stuff to use and works as advertised. There are some tricks you need to know for applying it.
First tape and paper off everything you don’t want it on. Including your clothes and hair and any close surrounding surface. It has the consistency of mayonnaise and the rough roller splatters it everywhere. It dries fast so work in small areas at a time.
Spread it evenly with a notched trowel. The deeper the notches the thicker the application. I use the medium notches, spread it evenly in both directions. Then use the supplied roller and roll out the texture you desire. Roller pressure and direction determines the texture.
Pull the tape immediately after rolling, if you wait for it to dry the edges will tear out. Wash any splatters off immediately with a wet rag, if you wait for it to dry it will take a grinder to remove it.
Good luck, you’ll be happy with it 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Good advice there Larry.
Here is my “project” before:
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Here is my project after a couple of coats of deck paint, taped off and ready to be “kiwied”.
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Here is part of the finished project. All the light color is Kiwi-Grip
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If kiwi grip is $140 a gallon and it goes along way, what’s the price on garage floor epoxy and how much does a gallon get ya?
I have an old 17 ft war eagle that I painted with a product from overtons called Tufcoat. It is a very tough and non-slip material. I have been very happy with it and the cost is about $100 per gallon with primer.
Does it require sanding to apply Kiwi grip or just clean the surface real good and go?
How long does it last for some of you guys that have already applied it?
Im looking to paint a few areas inside my boat.
Sailfish 218cc
Yamaha 225 4stroke
You should give it a light sanding, just scuff it up good and clean it. It will bond just fine over gelcoat, raw fiberglass, primer or decent paint. I’ve never tried it on aluminum.
I’ve had it on my boat for almost 7 years, still looks like new. It’s tough stuff.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
It is hard to get anything to adhere to aluminum. I would not recomend Garage floor epoxy, but Herculiner instead. I have used Herculiner in vehicles before and it works great. Would probably work well in a boat also, as long as it sticks to the aluminum…
Key West 196 CC 115hp Merc// 14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
I think if you do some prep work, sanding, wipe down with lacquer thinner or acetone, etc., and then a coat of aluminum primer, it should stick to the aluminum.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
What about Herculiner? Anyone tried that for thier boat floor or deck? Comes in colors too