DIY Re-matt of my 222 for $95 !

[123bigjoe]

I finally got the boat uncovered today before taking the grands to see fireworks and took a few pictures of my homemade carpet mat. My carpet backing was getting a bit hard and crumbly although I had been covering some of the loose backing with black silicone or Flexseal. Not liking to put the boat away with wet carpet I was looking for an alternative that wouldn’t hold water and would be quick drying. I stumbled on a This sea grass lookalike on eBay which is described as an indoor outdoor patio RV mat. They sent me a sample for color and then decided to purchase and give it a try. It comes in rolled sections that are 102” wide by various lengths. I bought an 8 ft length and had some leftover. The cost for the mat was about $85 plus another $10 for snaps. I used my old carpet and traced a pattern then easily cut it out with medium scissors. I laid it in the boat and marked snap locations and installed. This mat has the woven mesh top with a thin foam backing. It is strong and does not stretch so I don’t expect the snaps to pull out. Notice it does not have a sewn border because it does not fray on the edges. Time will tell.
Search eBay: Indoor Outdoor Woven Patio Mat RV 8.5'x10' Camping Picnic Boat Deck Rug

[willyswagon]

That stuff looks good. Keep us up to date on how it wears through out the season.
It may be the answer to the stock carpets getting brittle.

[Big Block Power]

Looks good. Did you not Make a separate piece for that big fender storage compartment in the floor?

[AsLan7]

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Looks good 123BJ! Nice find.
I gotta say though, I’m pretty sure that would fry our feet in a heartbeat. Any lighter colors?
Keep us posted on your results in the sun.

[123bigjoe]

Well BBP, you noticed. This 222 does not have the square storage in front of the stern seat. So technically I learned it’s a 212 even though the badge says 222. Cobalt did some weird stuff at the close of 2008 with model changes.

[123bigjoe]

Here’s a screenshot from eBay showing at least 4 color options. (Can’t figure out how to post link). The seller is BoatCarpetSales out of Georgia. He has several other colors available also.
I’ll report back on heat on the feet.

[Big Block Power]

Well BBP, you noticed. This 222 does not have the square storage in front of the stern seat. So technically I learned it’s a 212 even though the badge says 222. Cobalt did some weird stuff at the close of 2008 with model changes.

That's odd. Is it the same length as the 222 maybe they just put the wrong badge on it. Does the title say 222?

[akorcovelos]

Subscribed.

[SamIAm]

Nice job 123BigJoe
Did you cut all of the long straight edges with scissors? What did you use to cut the holes for the snaps?

[123bigjoe]

Hey Sam. Yes I cut all pieces with scissors, and they weren’t heavy duty scissors at all. I think I actually used a new pair of the $2 (or free) Harbor Freight scissors. I think I tried a straight edge and razor knife on one of the shorter pieces, and it was ok except for I was cutting on my garage floor. While the long edges of the carpet may look straight, they actually have a slight curvature to follow the inside lines of the hull. Hence the scissors insure a better match. To install the snaps, I placed the mat in the boat and aligned each piece where it should go then pressed down on top of the existing snap (male side screwed in deck) making a clear indention on the foam backing. Then I used my leather hole punch pliers to make the hole for the snap, followed by installing the snap cap and using the setting pliers. There was not much guessing at all using this method and each piece snapped right in. Just make sure you have a good set of snap setting pliers, preferably those that look like vise grips so you can set each cap precisely.

I’ve had this in my boat for about 6 weeks now and it really hasn’t stretched nor has it frayed on the edges. Water runs right off to the drain. Someone asked earlier how hot it gets. It’s been 95-100 F here in Texas this past week and I have been able to walk barefoot on this mat. It’s hot, but doesn’t feel burning. I’m wondering if the foam backing doesn’t help disapate the heat. Hope this helps.

[AsLan7]

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Nice update 123bj.
Very surprised it did not get hotter. I’m curious if you had your bimini up or was your boat in full sun with that heat test?
In any event, it sounds like a great inexpensive alternative for folks and their Cobalt floors.

[Big Block Power]

Very cool. Glad it's working out. If you trailer with this in remember it's very light. It will blow away. Cover the boat or close the walk through divider. Or it will end up along side of the hwy.