Vinyl Floor Covering

Blue_Runner · #1 09-01-2004, 05:40 PM

Anybody got anything bad or good to say about vinyl floor covering for the deck? The one I'm looking at is called Deco Dot made by Nautolex. Here's a link:

http://www.garysupholstery.com/decodot.html

The floor in my boat isn't soft, but fiberglass is less than beautiful.

Blue_Runner · #2 09-01-2004, 05:41 PM

Sorry, meant to say "the" fiberglass is less than beautiful. ::)

reelapeelin · #3 09-01-2004, 08:55 PM

Br... that's a great site!...I'm fixin' to order some of their marine vinyl...just what I been lookin' for(other than a nympho "10" w/a cooler full of COLD Buds...) 8)

Blue_Runner · #4 09-02-2004, 10:58 AM

Yeah, I stumbled upon it yesterday. I had never heard of anybody going with vinyl flooring on a boat. I thought indoor outdoor carpet was my only option.

I requested two free samples - one white and one ivory. In retrospect, I wish I had gotten a sample of they gray instead of ivory. I talked with the owner of the site and he said to make sure the adhesive I use isn't too dark or it could show through the vinyl.

Before you order, have him send you a couple of samples to get an idea of what this stuff is like. You can probably hold something dark behind it to see if its going to show through.

Oh, by the way, I was worried about having to have a seam since the one I'm looking at only comes in 72" wide. Well, I went outside last night and measured the floor from gunwale to gunwale last night. Widest point was about 74" or 75", so I think I'll just have a little gap on each side rather than having to seam it.

Later,
Blue Runner (AKA BR)

Blue_Runner · #5 09-02-2004, 10:29 PM

Uh huh thats right, I said Last Night Last Night. :o
True dat I over think things once in a while (once in a while). :-/

#6 09-30-2004, 12:14 AM

The Nautolex floor vinyl products, makers of Decko Dot, has been around for years. The Decko Dot style is relatively new (1-2 year?). They had two older style vinyl deck products. One looks like a faux teak decking. This product was the factory deck covering on some Chris Craft and Lyman wooden run sport boats when they were new (1950-70's ?). It also was used on the cockpit deck of Bertram sportfish models back when their deck (cockpit) were plywood. The 31 Bertram had the white version. The other style looks similar to a carpet but is vinyl. This style is often used to cover the plywood deck of aluminum fish boats and pontoon boats.

I Just installed the Decko Dot product in my boat this year. I had completely replaced the old deck in my 1970 Thunderbird 19' Cathedral hull with a new plywood deck that I had epoxy/fiberglass coated. I needed to protect (cover) the epoxy from UV rays so decided to use the Decko Dot product. I wanted something that looked good, was durable, had good non-skid properties, cleaned up easily and would not be too difficult to install. I considered Decko Dot, various paint products, pickup truck spray-in bed liner and a few other products. I am very happy with the results I got with the Decko Dot. The only unknow at this point is how long it will last. So far it looks great and if it performs anywhere close to their other vinyl deck products I should get 10+ years minimum before I need to do anything to the deck.

Blue_Runner · #7 09-30-2004, 06:17 PM

nhuknhuk, thanks for the feedback on your experieces thus far with the deco dot flooring.

I'm not ready for it yet...got too many other priority items to take care of on this boat...let's see:

1) Replace starter and solenoid on 1 motor.
2) Re-install lower unit on another
3) List both motors for sell.
4) Finally sell both motors.
5) List one of my boats for sale.
6) Replace starter and solenoid on my other boat.
7) List it for sale.
8) Work on hull of my V20 - remove all hardware, fill and sand screw holes.
9) Have my topside painted - excluding floors.

10)Then and only then will I be ready to do the deco dot flooring.....then...

11) Find a Yamaha 150 - 200 with 20" shaft to hang on the back - hope it has controls and prop but probably won't....so I'll have to purchase separately.
12) Buy and install Garmin 240 Blue FF
13) Buy and install Garmin GPS unit.
14) Buy and install VHF radio.
15) Shine up the bottom side.

I should be finished in about 3 years! Ha!

Seriously, sounds like a lot to do but I hope to at least get to # 12 before Winter! Anybody want to help?

BR